The APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii recently launched the Hawaii Virtual Business Marketplace, which gives local companies the opportunity to market their products and services and connect with the 21 APEC economies and U.S. mainland companies that will participate in this year’s events.

“Companies will be able to easily upload their information to build their virtual booth,” said Peter Ho, chair of the Hawaii Host Committee.” Delegates will be able to log in to the site from their own laptops and also through tablets available at the Hawaii Convention Center during Leaders’ Week.”

HVBM is designed as a virtual campus of buildings and venues, such as an exhibition hall featuring individual companies’ booths. There will also be a Hawaii Industry Showcase Hall highlighting industries such as Clean Energy, Ocean, Earth and Sky Sciences, Health and Life Sciences, and Corporate Conventions. A resource center will enable the easy exchange of information and promote seamless business transactions, and a networking lounge where informal dialogues can take place through real-time chats will also be available.

Hawaii businesses interested in qualifying for a booth can submit an application at www.apec2011hawaii.com/virtual.html. The cost for each booth is $525. Prices are subject to change post-APEC Leaders’ Week. For more information, please email virtual@apec2011hawaii.com.