Preparations are underway for the 11th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), the leading forum for communication, networking, and deal-making for the hospitality and tourism investment community in the Caribbean region.

One month away from the fifth IMEX in Frankfurt and several updates to the trade show’s benefits and innovations are in line according to organizers, Regent Exhibitions. In the last month, several organizations have announced their participation as first-time exhibitors at IMEX.

Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios, will host the 17th Annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) from April 29 thru May 1. The event is sponsored by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

As the Caribbean is hosting this month’s ICC Cricket World Cup, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, is encouraging the region to adopt an innovative approach to marketing and delivering services to visitors.

The Caribbean region was prominently featured at two recent U.S. consumer travel shows -The New York Times Travel Show and the Adventures in Travel Expo- both of which included a Caribbean Pavilion of booths, entertainment, prize giveaways, representative members of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and authentic Caribbean cuisine.

The island of Montserrat was represented for the first time ever during the annual London St Patrick’s parade and festival on March 18. Montserrat’s representation was organized by the Volcanics Group, which is made up of Montserratians and friends of Montserrat, based in the Midlands with links in other cities in the United Kingdom.