ANGUILLA, B.W.I. – June 17, 2013 – Coordinated by the Anguilla tourism board’s US public relations and marketing firm, Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications (CAMC), Caribbean Week in New York proved to be a successful endeavor promoting Anguilla tourism. Held June 1-7, the weeklong series of events was attended by Anguilla Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism the Hon. Haydn Hughes, Anguilla Tourist Board Director Candis Niles and CAMC principal representatives Cheryl Andrews and Tim Grace.
Caribbean Week began early for the Anguilla tourism team, as they opened the week by attending the Anguilla Progressive Association of New York’s (APANY) 17th Annual Anguilla Day Dinner Dance celebration. After an evening of dancing and fun with New York’s Anguillians, the delegates spent the first half of the week attending travel sales focused events including a seminar for travel agents showcasing the region’s watersports offerings, a conference event focusing on investment opportunities in the region and the One Caribbean Vacation Mart and Romance Pavilion, a key travel agent and consumer event.
During the compact schedule, marketing principal Tim Grace met with Director of Sales of Sales & Marketing, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, David Lyons on Monday, June 3, to discuss ways in which a strategic partnership in keeping with the agency’s on-going efforts promoting the destination can strengthen brand Anguilla. On Wednesday, June 5, the Anguilla tourism team hosted top New York, Canadian and Caribbean area journalists for an invite-only dinner at New York’s hip and upscale The Hurricane Club Steak & Sushi restaurant. Media attendees represented top outlets including Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Travel Weekly, Caribbean Journal and more were on-hand to hear “what’s new” and newsworthy from Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism the Hon. Haydn Hughes, Anguilla Tourist Board Director Candis Niles and CAMC principal Cheryl Andrews.
Next on the agenda was Media Marketplace where the Anguilla booth was a favorite for media in attendance who were eager to hear and learn about the latest news, developments and industry offerings. Held on June 6 and with more than 100 journalists in attendance for meetings and interviews with Anguilla representatives, it provided yet another valuable opportunity to be top of mind with niche and general destination writers across all platforms including print, online and social media.
“Media Marketplace was particularly beneficial for Anguilla this year with so many new developments happening in Anguilla’s tourism sector, Media Marketplace provided us with the opportunity to put Anguilla in front of key journalists in our largest market,” Anguilla Tourist Board Director Candis Niles said.
Following Media Marketplace, the Anguilla delegation, with the help of CAMC, was able to secure coveted invitations to the exclusive AFAR magazine–one of the top US travel publications–cocktail reception held at the publisher’s home overlooking Central Park South. The event, attended by only CAMC president, Cheryl Andrews, provided the ideal opportunity to network with leading journalists and industry influencers however the Parliamentary Secretary and Director of Tourism were unable to attend. The Anguilla delegates’ final day in New York closed with a morning business meeting with executive producers from the highly anticipated new television show “The Travel Detective” hosted by travel expert Peter Greenberg set to premier this fall on PBS.
The week wrapped up with a festive evening of dining and dancing at CTO’s Rum & Rhythm event. Anguilla’s table at Rum & Rhythm was one of the most popopular as the team served up saltfish, johnnycakes and Anguilla Splash–a rum punch made with Pyrat Rum. The evening’s food was prepared by Anguillian national Yvette Gumbs, with cocktails prepared and served by APANY President Carlson Connor and his wife Anne Connor. The table bustled with activity as many attendees boasted that the Anguilla table had the best rum punch in the room served up with warm friendly smiles in true Anguillian fashion.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
