CHIEF 2023 Schedule

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Horizons of Opportunity – Charting a Course for the Future of Caribbean Tourism

Room: International Ballroom 1-2

Speakers:

• Nicola Madden-Greig, OD, President, CHTA and Group Director of Marketing & Sales, The Courtleigh Hospitality Group
• Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA Acting CEO

Keynote Panel: Embarking on a New Journey into the Future of Caribbean Tourism

Room: International Ballroom 1-2

Moderator: Bevan Springer, President, Marketplace Excellence

Speakers:

• Barry Collymore, Executive Chairman, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort and Founder West Indies School for Hospitality
• Nicola Madden-Greig, OD, CHTA President
• Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts and First Vice President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

General Session: Unlocking AI’s Tourism Potential: Practical Insights and Applications

A deep dive focused on practical uses of AI in marketing, operations, revenue management, back office and front of the house.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Jeff Pankey, President, Figment Design

Speakers:

• Neil Foster, Immediate Past President, Hospitality Finance & Technology Professionals (HFTP)
• Philipe Moura, Director of Data & Services, Mastercard
• Tata Crocombe, Executive Chairman, The Rarotongan Beach Resort Group, Cook Islands, South Pacific

General Session: Future-Proofing the Hotel Industry: Innovating for the Global Traveler

Explore the future of hotel technology and its impact on the global traveler experience. From futuristic hotel rooms to innovative guest services, discover how tech future-proofing can elevate your hospitality offerings.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Bill Clegg, CHA, Regional Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic US and Caribbean Regions, BWH Hotels and Fifth Vice President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Speaker:

• Isabelle Claver, Director, PWC
• Jason Robertson, Vice President, Design Technology & Innovation, Marriott

General Session: Maximizing Hotel Revenue: Direct Booking Essentials

Unlock the keys to hotel revenue optimization in this insightful session. We’ll provide highlights from the Direct Booking Summit and outline the top strategies hoteliers must prioritize in the coming years to maximize revenue. Join us for a condensed, power-packed guide to direct booking success.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Bill Clegg, CHA, Regional Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic US and Caribbean Regions, BWH Hotels and Fifth Vice President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Speakers: Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts and First Vice President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

• Lina Alzate, Market Manager, Triptease
• Stephanie Mack, Boutique ROI

General Session: Building the Future Workforce: Strategies for Attracting, Engaging and Retaining Top-Tier Tourism Professionals

Today’s workforce is more diverse and complex than ever, with a wide range of expectations and a strong desire for work-life balance. The evolving workplace must adapt to meet the needs of both employees and employers. Join us for insights on cultivating a healthy work environment that promotes teamwork, balance, and productivity, ultimately ensuring guest satisfaction.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO & Director General, CHTA

Speakers:

• Darron Turnquest, Director of People and Sr. People Business Partner, Bahamas Market, Cable & Wireless Communications
• Dr. Andrew Spencer, President, Caribbean Maritime University
• Laudra Willie, Assistant Human Resource Manager, The Landings Resort & Spa and CHTA Young Leader 2019 Class
  
• Patrice Simon, Executive Director, Antigua and Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association

General Session: Building Blocks to Transition in the New Global Tourism Environment

As the world faces rapid changes in climate and its corresponding impacts, so too is the tourism landscape changing.  ‘Responsible tourism’ is no longer a tagline, but reflects a growing new consciousness by both travelers and tourism-related businesses.  Successful companies recognize this and are adapting.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Frank Comito, Special Advisor and Former CEO, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Speakers:

• James Crockett, Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Programme Manager, Fauna & Flora
• Kyle Mais, Managing Director, Jamaica Inn
• Suzanne Pattusch, Executive Vice President, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association
• Tenisha Brown-Williams, Foundation for Environmental Education

General Session: Cultivating Caribbean Culture: The Business of Festival Tourism 

Explore how celebrating culture through festivals and heritage can elevate guest experiences and drive business growth in this engaging session.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts and First Vice President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Speakers:

• Ezra “D’FunMachine” Augustin
• Jacqueline Yorke-Westcott, Executive Chairman, Mount Irvine Bay Hotel
• Jules Sobion aka Julius CZAR, CEO/Commander-In-Chief, Caesar’s Army

Concurrent Session 1: Nurturing Your Workforce: Building a Culture of Wellness

Explore best practices for people development with a focus on health and wellness. Learn how to create and maintain a workforce that is well-supported and flourishing.

Room: Continental Ballroom

Moderator: Stacy Cox, CEO, Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association

Speaker:

• Ayesha Williams, Vice President of Human Resources, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton

Concurrent Session 2: Cracking the Digital Code: Boosting ROI through Online Marketing Channels

Explore essential digital marketing insights and discover the critical actions your team should take to maximize ROI.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Sylvia Scholey, President & Co-Founder, Oceanid Hospitality Group

Speakers:

• Shirlen Godet, Marketing Manager, Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau 
• Sergio Rosarios, Regional Vice President for Latam & The Caribbean, Amadeus/Travelclick 

Concurrent Session 3: Building a TikTok Community for Your Hotel, Resort, or Attraction

Explore effective strategies to create and nurture a TikTok community for your hotel, resort, or tourism business, fostering engagement and connecting with a diverse audience.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: 

Speakers:

• Mikael Doumeng, Digital Marketing Manager, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and CHTA Young Leader Forum Member 2019 Class
• Hoang Nguyen, Travel Industry Strategist, TikTok

Concurrent Session 4: The Purchasing Managers Guide for Hotel & Attraction Suppliers

Join your allied members peers to exchange insights on essential considerations when working with hotel and attraction suppliers such as planning cycles, cost parameters, quality standards, and delivery expectations. Elevate your supplier relationships with practical knowledge and strategic understanding in this informative discussion.

Room: Continental Ballroom

Speakers:

• Aswad Morgan, Group Marketing Manager, Morgans Group

Concurrent Session 5: Stopping Waste and Inefficiencies: Data-Driven Decisions to Guide Your Energy and Water Use

Electricity and water can represent over 15 percent of your operating costs.  How are you measuring energy and water consumption?  How does your usage stand up against the industry’s best practices?  Beyond changing light bulbs, installing timers and water usage controls, what other steps and cost-effective practices can you put in place to reduce costs and demonstrate your commitment as a good steward of the environment.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Frank Comito, Special Advisor and Former CEO, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Speaker:

• Carl Hunter, Property Manager, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resorts and Spa
• Kevin Cooper, General Manager, True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, Grenada
• Ted Vogel, Caribbean Climate Smart Fund, Caribbean Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Institute

Concurrent Session 6: Next Gen Ownership: Financing and Development Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs

Join us for an insightful session on shepherding the next generation of entrepreneurs. Discover the importance of ideation, governance, financing and shepherding opportunities that empower young visionaries to achieve ownership and success in the tourism business.

Room: Continental Ballroom

Moderator: Snjezana Andrews, CEO, Clearwater Capital

Speakers:

• Chinedu Enekwe, Partner, Passbook
• Dr. Basil Springer, GCM, Change Engine Consultant, Marketplace Excellence
• Isabel de Caires, Director of Investment Banking, Corporate Investment Banking, CIBC First Caribbean International Bank
• Nicolas Ingaramo, Global SME VP for New Distribution Channels, Mastercard

General Session 7: Serving Up Success: Cultivating Future Hospitality Leaders

Discover the key skills and knowledge today’s hospitality employees need to become future industry leaders. This presentation offers actionable insights on upskilling, ensuring your team is prepared to excel in an evolving industry.

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Moderator: Paul Collymore, Chief Executive Officer, The Landings Resort & Spa

Speakers:

• Dr. Michael Cheng, Ph.D., CHE, Dean, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Florida International University
• Dr. Dimitrios Diamantis, Executive Academic Dean, Les Roches Switzerland 
• Julianna Musgrove, Regional Learning & Development Manager, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa

Awards Lunch

Room: International Ballroom 1 – 2

Presentation of CHIEF Awards and Special Presentation to the 2019 CHTA Young Leaders Class