That’s What it’s All About

Welcome to the most comprehensive Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel reference source ever issued, from the people who know the Caribbean best, the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). This association of 36 local Caribbean hotel associations boasts over 1,000 member hotels, ranging from ‘mega’ resorts such as Atlantis in the Islands of The Bahamas, to traditional Caribbean boutique resorts, such as Strawberry Hill in Jamaica. Its member nations are culturally diverse too, influenced by their English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Danish heritages.

The CHA owns Gold Book Publishing, which has produced this book. We know you will find it valuable and invite you to become a charter member of our Caribbean Meetings & Events Program, a “first” for the Caribbean, developed with the expertise and cooperation of the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. To join, click JOIN above and complete the form in just two minutes, or e-mail tim@goldbookpub.com.

The program will provide you with:

1. Your free, annual copy of this magazine, which is both a “planner” and a directory of facilities. Thirty-five destinations are each described in words and pictures, revealing each country’s ambience, accessibility, climate, activities, professional services available, telecommunications capacities, best times to meet, special event possibilities and sources for further assistance. This is followed by a list of hotels in the destination that have meeting facilities, with their number of guestrooms, number of meeting rooms, capacity of the largest, total amount of meeting space and contact information, including e-mail and website addresses. (In some of the smaller islands there are few actual meeting facilities—65% of CHA’s member hotels have less than 75 rooms—but often these “boutique” hotels can accommodate executive retreats or incentive groups beautifully.)
   
   Following each country’s hotel listings, “Other Facilities” are included, such as Destination Management Companies (DMCs), golf courses, casinos, places of interest, attractions, etc. (and each country’s tourist board can make further recommendations).
   
   
2. In the front of the book you’ll find general advice for meeting and motivating in the Caribbean, along with maps, tax information, tourist board and hotel association websites and other special features.
   
   
3. Access to www.caribbeanmeet ings.org, our specially created website, with a database of comprehensive hotel listings across 35 Caribbean destinations searchable by various criteria, to research the ideal location and property for your meeting or incentive group.
   
   Caribbean Meetings & Events E-Newsletter. Written by Editor-in-Chief, Connie Goldstein, a lively electronic newsletter will be e-mailed to you free, every month, with updated news and information on the Caribbean from a meetings and incentive perspective: The latest on new resorts, conference facilities, destination news and special offers, and more.
   
   
4. The CHA “Help Desk”. CHA’s own Meetings Department, manages meetings in the region every year. Since 1999, CHA has run 33 events, in 14 countries, in 21 locations, for 18,000+ delegates, booking 31,000+ room nights, across some 80 different Caribbean hotels and resorts. Its experienced staff ,will help you plan your Caribbean meeting or incentive. E-mail Vanessa Ledesma at vledesma@caribbeanhotels.org to find out how the CHA can help with your next event in the Caribbean.
   
   Put your meeting or event in the Caribbean. The articles in this book are full of information to answer your questions and guide you to choose the just-right place for your group. The countries of the Caribbean are working together to maintain high standards and make your meeting or event a success.

Remember, to join the Caribbean Hotel Association’s Caribbean Meetings & Events Program, E-mail Vanessa Ledesma vledesma@caribbeanhotels.org.