The Hawaii Convention Center’s planned closure from January 2026 through November 2027 may force the AAO to move its 2027 Annual Session, currently scheduled for Honolulu.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) may be forced to relocate its 2027 Annual Session after news broke that the Hawaii Convention Center—slated to host the event—will be closed for renovations from January 2026 through November 2027.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported the closure on April 7, a little over 6 months after the AAO signed contracts to hold the 2027 meeting in Honolulu. The AAO had moved the event from San Francisco to Hawaii as a result of incentives offered by the Hawaii Convention Center and the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.
According to the AAO, these incentives came at a time when local tourism officials may have already been aware of the facility’s mounting maintenance needs. The organization expressed disappointment in a statement on its website over what it sees as a lack of transparency from Hawaiian tourism stakeholders.
History Repeats Itself
This is not the first time the AAO has faced complications with holding its Annual Session in Honolulu. The 2022 Annual Session, initially scheduled for the same venue, was relocated to Miami after the AAO was informed less than a year in advance that the Hawaii Convention Center would be unavailable due to government use of the space in response to the COVID pandemic.
The organization cited continued member interest in attending a meeting in Honolulu as a key factor in its decision to revisit Hawaii for the 2027 annual session.
Options Under Consideration
It remains unclear how the AAO will respond to the facility closure. In the post on its website, the organization said it is exploring “all possible options,” including reconfiguring the event to occur without use of the convention center. This would require support from local and state authorities, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and local hotels.
The AAO emphasized the potential economic loss for Hawaii, noting that the Annual Session typically generates over $25 million for host cities.
Next Steps
The AAO is expected to provide further updates as new information becomes available. In the meantime, preparations are underway for the 2025 Annual Session in Philadelphia.
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