For the fourth straight year, the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau was honored today for the service it provides to incentive and corporate planners.

The 2008 Platinum Partner Award from Incentive magazine award was presented at the 16th Annual Platinum Partners Celebration and Reception, held in Chicago at the John Hancock building, said Michael Murray, HVCB's vice president of sales and marketing for corporate meetings and incentives.

"Knowing that planners vote for this award, we are extremely pleased and congratulate our travel company partners throughout Hawai'i as they are equally responsible for the level of industry satisfaction that is reflected in this honor," Murray said.

Incentive magazine awarded HVCB based on votes received from planners nationwide, which recognized HVCB's record of excellence in providing products and services to motivate employees and customers. Criteria used for determining the award was the motivational appeal of Hawai'i as a destination, the quality andprofessionalism of service by HVCB and Hawaii's meetings industry, and the degree of creativity and promotional support.

This week HVCB is leading a contingent of more than 100 Hawai'i meeting sales professionals in Chicago at The Motivation Show, the world's largest incentive tradeshow.

Joining HVCB in this statewide sales effort are representatives from Kauai Visitors Bureau, Oahu Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, Big Island Visitors Bureau, Hawai'i Convention Center, and more than 50 travel industry companies, ranging from airlines and hotels to destination management companies, retail, and activities and attractions.