NASSAU, Bahamas – Three seasoned journalists from the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean Diaspora in New York took the spotlight at the finale of the 2005 CMEx Caribbean Media Awards at the 7th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx VII), held in Nassau, Bahamas, December 8-12, 2005.
Bahamian Yolanda Deleveaux of the Nassau Tribune, Guyanese Clive Bacchus, general manager of WINN FM in St. Kitts and Nevis and Brooklyn-based Trinidadian Glenda Cadogan who freelances for outlets such as Caribbean Life and the New York Daily News took top honours during the awards presentation.
From left: Yolanda Deleveaux, Clive Bacchus and Glenda Cadogan
“Each of these journalists has demonstrated a strong commitment to their trade, and they understand the importance of sustainable tourism development to the Caribbean region,” said Dr. Basil Springer, Chairman of Counterpart Caribbean, co-producers of the CMEx series of meetings.
Yolanda Deleveaux with Dr. Basil Springer
Dr. Springer said Counterpart International and Counterpart Caribbean, are committed to recognising excellence in the media, who he believes are key Caribbean development partners. “The media are internal auditors for social partnership,” said Dr. Springer who encouraged reporters across the region to be “bold and brave” in investigating the news, pursuing the truth, and highlighting the positive aspects of Caribbean life.
CMEx, mounted by Counterpart International and hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, examined the theme “Exploring Niche Markets for Caribbean Tourism”. Dynamic interactive exchanges were spiced by interventions on topics such as strategies for targeting the African American and other niche markets, involvement of the Diaspora, the role of the Black Media, institutional arrangements, communications and ethics, preserving the environment, and focused product and cultural development.
Glenda Cadogan (left) is congratulated by author and journalist, Andria Hall
CMEx’s wide range of sponsors and supporters includes Almond Resorts, American Express, Bahamas Hotel Association, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Breezes Bahamas, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Black Entertainment Television (BET Jazz), Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean World News Network, Coca-Cola, Coco Resorts, ENG Caribbean Vision Center, Ruder Finn, SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A., Spirit Airlines, United Nations Development Programme, “We are the Caribbean Media Services”, and The Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort in the Bahamas.
