Trinidad and Tobago makes successful first showing at IMEX America

In a continued drive to become the Southern Caribbean’s Meeting and Conferences capital, Trinidad and Tobago made a successful debut at the recently concluded IMEX America worldwide exhibition for i

In a continued drive to become the Southern Caribbean’s Meeting and Conferences capital, Trinidad and Tobago made a successful debut at the recently concluded IMEX America worldwide exhibition for incentive travel meetings and events.

Over the three-day event, the Trinidad and Tobago delegation greeted more than 100 persons and held just over 30 meetings with representatives from several organisations including the Maritz Travel Company, Conference Resource Centre, ITE Group, American Express, Ford Motor Company and the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists.

One of 80 new exhibitors at IMEX America 2013, Trinidad and Tobago immediately captured the imagination of participating buyers with a vibrant and eye-catching booth design that highlighted the destinations’ many tourism offerings. The delegation also hosted meetings with industry publications including Successful Meetings Magazine and shared with participants handcrafted copper steelpan key chains, local sweets and chocolates made from Trinidad and Tobago’s award winning Trintario cocoa.

Arveon Mills, sales manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Convention Bureau, who represented the twin-island nation at the event, promoted Trinidad and Tobago’s many attractions, as well and the wide range of complimentary services, available to international meeting planners.

According to Ms. Mills, meeting planners choosing destination Trinidad and Tobago are opting for more than exceptional meetings. With an impressive 460 species of birds, 108 mammals and 617 butterflies, the islands have become a hot destination for eco and adventure lovers due to the easily accessible rainforest, hiking trails and waterfalls. In fact, in the years 2003- 2006 our twin island of Tobago captured the “World’s Leading Eco-Tourism Destination” at the World Travel Awards.

Home to the second largest carnival in the world, the islands are also known as the “Land of Festivals”. The country’s ethnic and religious diversity has also contributed to a dizzying array of cultural festivals which are celebrated throughout the year allowing visiting delegates to immerse themselves in the rhythms of local music, mouth-watering indigenous cuisine and participate in uniquely trinbagonian activities such as parang or goat and crab racing.

Meeting planners can also tap into the local expertise offered by the Convention Bureau which provides a range of complimentary services to international meeting planners, including site inspections and study tours, coordination of pre- and post-conference activities and meet and greet facilitation at the airport.

And with brands like the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Courtyard by Marriott, Capital Plaza, as well as smaller boutique properties, planners have a variety of accommodation choices in the capital city of Port of Spain. Hyatt Regency Trinidad, one of the newest hotels on the islands, which in 2013 hosted conferences such as Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Development Conference and the Travel Professionals of Color Conference and Tradeshow, boasts the largest conference space in the Southern Caribbean with over 43,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.

As the gateway to South America and a natural business tourism destination fuelled by the country’s thriving energy, manufacturing and financial services sectors, Ms. Mills indicated that Trinidad and Tobago offers more than just successful meetings and delivers unforgettable and treasured experiences to visiting conference delegates.

Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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