A Panasonic 103-inch plasma screen is among the latest high-tech electronic devices that will be on display at next week's AVCO Tech Show at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

The two-day show that will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday is sponsored by The Audio Visual Co., Hawai'i's largest audiovisual systems integration organization.

More than 100 manufacturers will be on hand for the show, which will include seminars and presentations featuring speakers from Panasonic, Extron Electronics and SMART Technologies.

Admission is free and registration is available at www.theavco.com.

DEAN HIRATA LEAVING CENTRAL PACIFIC POST

The parent of Central Pacific Bank said its chief financial officer is stepping down from the company.

Dean Hirata has served as CFO of the bank and Central Pacific Financial Corp. since 2004. His resignation is effective May 31.

The moves comes as the bank has named venture capital executive and longtime banker John Dean as executive chairman. Central Pacific said it has begun a search for Hirata's successor.

GENERAL GROWTH PLANS BANKRUPTCY EXIT

General Growth Properties Inc., the second-largest U.S. mall owner, said it will submit a proposal next week that might finance the reorganization of its holding company, Bloomberg News Service reported.

General Growth, whose Hawai'i holdings include Ala Moana Center and Ward Centers, is weighing options to exit Chapter 11 protection, with competing bids from Simon Property Group Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. The company has said it will decide the best path to exit bankruptcy through an auction open to other bidders.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TOPIC OF FED FORUM

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Navy are co-hosting an all-day forum in Hawai'i next month to discuss ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase energy production from renewable energy sources.

The April 6 program will be held in the Kāne'ohe Bay Officers Club at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Speakers will include Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen A. Merrigan and Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment.

To register go to http://bit.ly/9Pfau8.