AEG Appoints Teri Orton as GM of Hawaii Convention Center

AEG Facilities, which will assume management of the Hawaii Convention Center on 1 January 2014, has named Ms. Teri Orton as General Manager of the 1.1 million square-foot facility located at the entrance to Waikïkï, O‘ahu.

The appointment is effective 18 December 2013.

Prior to accepting the position, Teri was Vice President of Condominium Resort Marketing for Outrigger Enterprises Group, which consists of 16 properties across the Hawaiian Islands.

“Teri’s dynamic leadership skills, ability to motivate teams and proficiency in the hospitality arena combined with her experience and deep understanding of the destination make her the ideal person to oversee this great facility,” said Brad Gessner, Vice President of Convention Centers, AEG Facilities. “The addition of Teri along with the existing knowledgeable and professional staff to our experienced AEG Facilities team are uniquely qualified and poised to take the center to new standards of success in service, bookings and guest satisfaction.”

In her new role, Teri will oversee all overall management of the Hawaii Convention Center, including sales and marketing, operations, finance, food and beverage and customer service, while implementing the strategic positioning and marketing plans for the facility in conjunction with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), and the Meet Hawaii team.

Teri’s 17 years of hospitality experience includes posts as hotel general manager, director of sales and marketing and other management roles with Outrigger Enterprises Group, Embassy Suites, The Ilikai, W Diamond Head, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and the Huntington Beach Hilton Resort.

Teri majored in communications at the University of Hawaii – Windward Campus and advanced her training in hospitality management through various certifications with Starwood and Hilton Hotels.

Teri has also been a member of the Waikiki Roundtable Committee for two years and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) membership committee chair for two years.

Mike McCartney, HTA’s president and CEO, said, “We are very fortunate to have found in Teri an individual born and raised in the Islands with outstanding travel industry credentials and a passionate belief in the strength and marketability of Hawaii as a meetings destination. Her proven track record of success and leadership will contribute greatly to elevating the Center’s global presence and optimizing its usage.”