Stage prepared for the 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards to honor Caribbean visionaries, global partners

The stage is set for the upcoming 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards, an event that brings together influential figures, cultural icons, tourism professionals, and community advocates from across the Caribbean region and its Diaspora. This gathering is, according to a CMEx press release, is “designed to empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism and media leaders.”

The release indicated that this year’s ceremony will feature a special highlight: the debut of the CMEx Lifetime Achievement Award. This accolade will be presented to Sir Baltron Bethel, a renowned tourism pioneer and a national hero of The Bahamas. Sir Baltron is distinguished as the first and longest-serving Bahamian Director General of Tourism, whose global influence has significantly impacted the region’s tourism policies and development strategies.

The event will also honor a distinguished list of 2025 awardees whose leadership continues to influence Caribbean tourism, culture, and growth. Among those recognized are:

– Carole Alexis – Choreographer and Artistic Director, Martinique
– Dave Chang – Senior Vice President, Consumer Sales and Contact Centers, Carnival Cruise Line
– May-Ling Chun – Director of Tourism, St. Maarten
– Ronella Croes – CEO, Aruba Tourism Authority
– Laura Davidson – CEO and Founder, LDPR
– Muryad de Bruin – Managing Director, Curaçao Tourist Board
– Cathleen Decker – Co-founder, The Decker/Royal Agency
– Loreto Duffy-Mayers – Tourism and Sustainability Specialist, Barbados
– Monique Hamaty-Simmonds – Executive Director, Tortuga Rum Company Ltd., Cayman Islands
– Clarisa Jiménez – President and CEO, Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association
– Luce Hodge-Smith – Junior Minister of Tourism, British Virgin Islands
– Janelle Hopkin – President and Managing Director, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
– Vonulrick “Von” Martin – Broadcaster, Producer & Dean, Caribbeana Communications Inc.
– Shomari Scott – Chief Business Officer, Health City Cayman Islands
– Marcus Simmonds – CEO, Tortuga International Holdings Ltd., Cayman Islands

Bevan Springer, President of CMEx, emphasized the significance of these honorees, stating, “These exceptional honorees embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean,” stated Bevan Springer, President of CMEx.  “Their contributions across tourism, business, culture, and community development continue to transform the region. We are proud to celebrate their profound achievements at this year’s awards.”

The winners and the Lifetime Achievement recipient will be joined by a  lineup of distinguished guests and regional officials:

– Lady Betty Hopkin of Grenada
– Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands
– Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports and Tourism, Anguilla
– Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
– Latia Duncombe, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
– Joy Jibrilu, CEO, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board
– Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Former Minister of Tourism, The Bahamas, and Former CTO Secretary-General
– Vanessa Ladesma, CEO, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
– Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President, Government Relations (Caribbean), Royal Caribbean Group
– Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director, Caribbean Public Health Agency

Additional confirmed participants include tourism directors Jameel Rochester (Anguilla), Clive McCoy (British Virgin Islands), Rosa Harris (Cayman Islands, former CTO Chair), Marva Williams (Dominica), and Stacey Liburd (Grenada).

According to CMEx, adding to the event’s vibrant atmosphere, Bahamian singer and performer Simmone Bowe will headline, delivering a showcase of her musical talents that encompass jazz, reggae, R&B, and gospel genres.

The 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser organizers acknowledged the unwavering support of its corporate and destination partners. They also report that funds raised will go toward educational programs, youth empowerment initiatives, and professional training, all aimed at nurturing future leaders in Caribbean tourism and media.

The event is led by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation as the Platinum Sponsor. Major contributors include the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Tropical Shipping, Unique Vacations Inc. (the global representative of Sandals & Beaches Resorts), The Decker/Royal Agency, Grenada Tourism Authority, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Tortuga Rum Company, Carnival Corporation & plc, Rodman Marketing Guru, and the St. Maarten Tourist Board.

Additional sponsors supporting the cause are Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Coco Palm, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort, Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Tropical Attractions, and Villa Kaya.

“The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate laureates whose work spans hospitality, cruise tourism, medical tourism, destination marketing, sustainable development, media and public relations, uniting stakeholders for an afternoon of networking and a shared commitment to a thriving Caribbean future,” stated the organizers.