HONOLULU, HI – More than 60 creative professionals, educators, employers, entrepreneurs, students, and workforce partners gathered at Entrepreneur’s Sandbox on June 30 for the inaugural Creative Industries Employer Meet & Greet, an event designed to strengthen relationships across Hawaii’s creative economy and explore the future of the industry.

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is an invaluable partner in bringing employers, educators, and creative professionals together through the Good Jobs Hawaii Creative Industries Sector Partnership,” says Georja Skinner, Chief Officer, Creative Industries Hawaii, Creative & Film Industry Development, Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism. “This meet-and-greet reflected what we have heard consistently from Hawaii’s creative community: they want more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build lasting career pathways. This is why gatherings like this are essential to strengthening the relationships to grow opportunities for our creative jobs and entrepreneurs in the state.”

Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Sector Partnerships in partnership with the University of Hawaii Community Colleges, and the Creative Industries Division (CID) of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), the event served as a signature convening of the three-year Good Jobs Hawaii Creative Industries initiative.

For Good Jobs Hawaii participant Deenie Tagudin Kam, the event reinforced the value of the program’s hands-on approach to workforce development. “Attending the Meet & Greet … reinforced how blessed I am to be in the program,” she said. “Good Jobs Hawaii is helping me gather the tools and teaching me how to use them so that I can create my own unique path to success. The opportunities have been exciting, enlightening, and actionable.”

The evening centered on a panel discussion moderated by Thomas Chock, Program Specialist at DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division, featuring leaders representing diverse sectors of Hawaii’s creative economy:

• Lani Kekahuna-Kalaukoa, VToku – Digital Production
• Mericia Palma Elmore, JD, MLISc, SAG-AFTRA Hawaii Local – Production, Artificial Intelligence, and Entertainment Law
• Gerard Elmore, NMG Network / ʻOhina – Media and Production
• Nevan-Isaiah Pak, Workin Gamerz – Esports and Entrepreneurship

The conversation explored where Hawaii’s creative industries are headed, including the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and industry growth.

Rather than relying solely on moderator questions, attendees helped shape the discussion by submitting questions and topics in advance, followed by a live audience Q&A that encouraged meaningful dialogue between industry leaders and local creatives.

The event brought together professionals at every stage of their careers, from students and emerging creatives to established employers and entrepreneurs, creating opportunities to share knowledge and strengthen the collaborative network supporting Hawaii’s creative economy.

“We were thrilled to bring together creatives, employers, and industry partners from across the state for our inaugural Creative Industries Employer Meet & Meet event on June 30, 2026,” said Marshall Norman, Program Manager for Good Jobs Hawaii. “Events like this are intentionally curated to connect local talent with industry needs, foster collaborative dialogue, and build meaningful relationships that support Hawaii’s evolving creative economy. This is central to the Good Jobs Hawaii initiative: ensuring that our industries have access to the skilled local talent they need to grow and succeed, while helping local residents access quality career opportunities that allow them to live, work, and thrive in Hawaii.”

About the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the leading voice of business in the state, dedicated to advancing a healthy economy and improving the quality of life for Hawaii’s residents. Established in 1850, the Chamber continues its legacy of advocacy, innovation, and collaboration to strengthen Hawaii’s business community. Representing more than 2,000 member organizations statewide, the Chamber drives impact through key initiatives in legislative advocacy, education and workforce development, military affairs, and young professionals. A recipient of the national ACCE Chamber of the Year Award in 2018, the Chamber is also behind the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii, a bold, data-driven economic action plan to diversify our economy, improve competitiveness, support policy reform, and build long-term resilience. Visit cochawaii.org to learn more.

About Sector Partnerships

Led by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Sector Partnerships are industry-led, community-supported collaboratives that align education and workforce systems with employer needs. With more than 1,300 engaged professionals across seven high-growth sectors—Clean Energy, Creative Industries, Engineering, Healthcare, Natural Resources, Technology, and Transportation—these partnerships strengthen talent pipelines, expand access to in-demand careers, and support Hawaii’s long-term economic resilience. The Chamber serves as the statewide convener with support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and AE Consulting. Sector leads include DBEDT’s State Energy Office, Creative Industries Division, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Partnerships work closely with the University of Hawaii and the Department of Education to build K-to-Career pathways and provide students with real-world, work-based learning experiences.