CHTA Education Foundation Silent Auction Raises $70,000 for Caribbean Youth at The New York Times Travel Show

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) raised approximately $70,000 last weekend with a Silent Auction at The New York Times Travel Show in New York City.

More than 100 participating properties throughout the Caribbean contributed hotel stays drawing a huge crowd of attendees who trudged through the New York snow for the chance to bid on a tropical Caribbean getaway.

The second annual CHTAEF Silent Auction in New York City saw a huge improvement over last year’s event, doubling both the number of auction registrants as well as the scholarship funds raised for Caribbean hospitality students.

CHTAEF Chairman Tom Pas conveyed the charity organizations gratitude to each of the participating hotels and resorts, as well as The New York Times for providing complimentary booth space at the show, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts for providing discounted accommodations for the Foundations volunteer staff that flew into New York to assist with the auction.

We worked hard to make this year’s silent auction a success, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support from The New York Times and each of the hoteliers who donated stays, said Pas.

The funds we collected over the weekend will directly benefit a number of Caribbean students pursuing hospitality degrees, he added.

While the Caribbean youth were the true winners this weekend, winning bidders received a great deal on their next Caribbean hotel stay along with the rewarding feeling that comes with supporting a worthy cause.

New Yorkers came out in droves for a chance to bid on one of the 100-plus Caribbean hotel stays at the CHTAEF Silent Auction

Hosted in the greatest travel marketplace in the world New York City The New York Times Travel Show is acknowledged around the globe as one of the leading consumer and travel trade shows in the U.S. The show celebrated its seventh anniversary in 2010.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established in 1987 as a stand-alone non-profit / tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism.

As part of its mission, the Education Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development. Since 1987, the Education Foundation has awarded more than US$1 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry.