Caribbean Culture at its Best for Caribbean Week 2012 in New York
On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, Grand Central Terminal and the public passing through its halls will experience the eclectic culture represented by the islands of the Caribbean highlighted with pulsating music, folkloric costumes, discount offers on exotic vacation packages and a live Caribbean inspired wedding ceremony.
From 10am-7pm the color, spirit and vitality of the Caribbean Cultural Fair and Vacation Mart, will make participants feel like they are basking in the region's heritage. Surrounded by trinkets, clothing and instruments, indigenous people and representatives of each country will line the walls of Vanderbilt Hall to highlight the Caribbean and the magic it brings to life.
The Vacation Mart aspect of the Cultural Fair will consist of discounted vacation packages specially created and made available only during Caribbean Week for potential visitors planning vacations to the region. Tour operators, travel agents and Caribbean hoteliers will be present along with officials from the islands to help consumers interested in visiting the region.
Guests will have the opportunity to experience Caribbean culture at its finest with performances by dancers, stilt walkers, singers and other entertainers representing traditional Caribbean Carnival celebrations. Carnival in the Caribbean is a celebration of folklore, culture, religion and tradition which includes elaborate costumes and lots of food and music.
During the Cultural Fair, one lucky couple will have their own Caribbean themed dream wedding, fully paid for and conveniently located right in Grand Central Terminal. Wedding dress, tuxedo, wedding cake and all, the soon to be newlyweds will be selected based on essays written describing their own marriage proposal. MarryCaribbean.com and the Caribbean Tourism Organization will also provide a free honeymoon vacation for the couple to a romantic Caribbean destination and wedding gifts from an array of Caribbean countries.
Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Week in New York combines business sessions and consumer-oriented events with food, fashion, entertainment and networking opportunities. The week begins with a Gospel Celebration and culminates with the much anticipated Caribbean Fashion, Art and Trade Expo.
Combined with meetings and seminars for Ministers of Tourism, Directors of Tourism, National Tourist Office representatives and other key tourism and hospitality officials from around the Caribbean, Caribbean Week activities will also include the Rum & Rhythm benefit which is both a fundraiser for the CTO Foundation and a Caribbean culinary experience which enables consumers to mix, mingle and taste award winning rums and a variety of food from the region. In addition, Caribbean Week serves as a stage for the annual media Marketplace which draws travel writers from across North America.
The week-long agenda of activities also include:
Gospel Celebration - A Tribute to Caribbean Unity - Sunday, June 3, 2012 - 5 - 9 pm
Workshop for NTOs - Monday, June 4, 2012 - 9 am - 12:00 noon
Workshop for Travel Agents - Monday, June 4, 2012 - 6 - 9 pm
Celebrity Chef Program - Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8, 2012
Student Colloquium - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Caribbean Diaspora Forum - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 6 - 8 pm
Investment Power Forum - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - 7:30 - 10 am
Caribbean Travel & Cultural Fair, Wedding and Vacation Mart at Grand Central Terminal - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - 10 am - 7 pm
Caribbean Media Marketplace - Thursday, June 7, 2012 4 - 6 pm
Allied Marketing Conference and Awards Luncheon - Friday, June 8, 2012 - 8 am - 2:30 pm
Rum and Rhythm Benefit - Friday, June 8, 2012 - 6:30 - 10:30 pm
Caribbean Fashion, Art and Trade Expo - Saturday, June 9, 2012 - 11 am - 10 pm
