The Hawaii Convention Center's success will now be measured by the number of hotel room nights it generates instead of the number of events and attendees it attracts.

Under new standards adopted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the center's goal will be 700,000 hotel room nights in 2006.

Its previous annual goal has been 34 events and 200,000 delegates. That was established in 2003 when SMG Hawaii took over the center's marketing contract from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

In 2004, the center hosted 39 events attended by 95,212 people who stayed for 675,970 room nights and spent $3 billion. The center expects to hold 39 events with an estimated 109,000 attendees generating 872,000 room nights this year.

The center has made 16 definite bookings for 2006 that are expected to bring 63,548 attendees and 477,524 room nights. It also has seven tentative bookings.

"It was a difficult decision to make but we felt this was achievable," said Sharon Weiner, HTA board member and chairwoman of the marketing committee.