KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s hosting of the 19th Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) on Sustainable Tourism has not only attracted interest from top-level media from across the region, North America and Europe, but also the attention of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
As tourism stakeholders gather in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, from September 30 to October 4, 2010, to examine the Caribbean’s primary industry, the board of the NABJ confirmed its participation in what it considers an important discussion. The board says a strategic goal of the association is to be indispensible to its members; and part of reaching that goal is extending its outreach to international members.
The NABJ board will be represented by Vice President of Print Deirdre M. Childress, liaison to the board’s Development Committee, and Communications Chair Dawn Angelique Roberts. Both NABJ board members will address the conference luncheon session on the opening day on Friday, October 1, 2010. Childress currently serves as Home & Design and Weekend editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer, while Roberts is managing partner and co-founder of KD Communications Group.
The four-day CMEx conference is being held under the theme “Tourism: Linkages for Growth.”
“We are thrilled that this conference has attracted a diverse audience, which is sure to spark a lively exchange of ideas,” said John Lynch, Director of Tourism and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board. “The participation of the National Association of Black Journalists also presents a great opportunity for us to forge strategic alliances with this key media group as we seek to tap into the growing African American market.”
Conference organizers believe the capital city Kingston, provides a wonderful setting for the dialogue between media and industry stakeholders.
“Connecting media workers and the hospitality industry of the Caribbean with communications professionals in the African American community will generate powerful synergies. Joining two productive professional cultures will enrich journalism and public relations in both geographic areas while simultaneously increasing African American travel to the Caribbean region,” noted Bevan Springer, President of the Caribbean Media Exchange, and a member of NABJ.
Since 2001, CMEx has produced 18 conferences and symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region’s largest industry, tourism, in improving the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities.
The upcoming CMEx meeting is supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Additional contributors include: Anse Chastanet Resort, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Tourism Organization, CaribWorldNews, Coco Palm, Community Benefit Development, 4P Group, Jade Mountain, Marketplace Excellence, Mayberry Investments Ltd., Michael D. Communications, Ruder Finn, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and The SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Foundation.
