For Immediate Release: January 13, 2004
DBEDT Release News 04-01

HONOLULU--The State of Hawaii and Sony today will jointly launch "The Digital Media & Visitor Industry Tech Conference." A keynote speech by Sony Corporation President and Group Chief Operating Officer Kunitake Ando, introduced by Governor Linda Lingle, will highlight the inaugural event.

Sony will demonstrate state-of-the-art technology designed to assist both the visitor and film industries. Some of this technology has only been tried to date in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

"This conference extends our partnership into new, mutually beneficial areas," Governor Lingle said. "By combining our efforts, Sony is showcasing its leading-edge products in front of a key audience, and we are strengthening Hawaii's position as a technology center for the Asia-Pacific region."

The initial idea for the conference stemmed from a conversation between Governor Lingle and Sony Hawaii President Ryozo Sakai. During last year's Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament, the two explored ways of expanding the relationship between the State of Hawaii and Sony. Discussions continued during a visit to Tokyo last July, when the Governor and Ando firmed up conference details.

"This is a significant expansion of Hawaii's relationship with one of the most influential technology corporations in the world," said Theodore E. Liu, director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). "Sony will introduce several new products at the conference that can be directly applied to our largest industry - tourism."

The daylong event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is held in conjunction with the 26th annual Pacific Telecommunications Council conference. The theme is "New Times - New Strategies: ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Rising from the Ashes."

Chris Lee of the Academy for Creative Media (ACM) at the University of Hawaii will host a panel from 10:30 a.m. to noon covering digital media technology. The panel will focus on how to attract digital technology, software creation and interactive programming companies to Hawaii.

Governor Lingle and Mr. Ando will speak from noon to 1:30 p.m. during the luncheon session.

Dr. Mark Hukill of the University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management will host the afternoon panel on new technologies for the visitor industry. One of his recent publications is entitled: "Electronic Communication Convergence: Policy Implications for Travel and Tourism."

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations, Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0043
Email: russell.pang@hawaii.gov