Bahamian Ministers among group of Caribbean country leaders at International Summit and Trade Show in Miami, Florida
BAHAMIAN DELEGATION AT NABHOOD 2015 – The Islands Of The Bahamas was well represented at the recent 19th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership and Investment Summit, held July 15-17, 2015 at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, Miami, Florida. Pictured above at center is the Honorable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, flanked by Ricardo Treco, Bahamas Consul General Miami (L) and Paulette Zonicle, Bahamas Consul General, Washington, D.C. (R) along with Florida based Ministry of Tourism managers and staff; Consulate Florida, staff and visiting Bahamian hospitality students in attendance at the summit. Not pictured, the Honorable Khaalis Rolle who presented Friday’s keynote luncheon address.
Fort Lauderdale, FL July 18, 2015 – The Honorable, Khaalis Rolle, The Bahamas Minister of State for Investment in the Office of The Prime Minister, was a featured participant, delivering a keynote luncheon address at The 19th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership and Investment Summit, held July 15-17, 2015 at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, Miami, Florida. Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honorable, Fred Mitchell, was honored with an Apex Distinguished Service Award, at the Summit’s Banquet.
Minister Rolle, who addressed the summit at their Friday luncheon, and spoke on behalf of Bahamian Prime Minister, the Right Honorable, Perry Christie, shared that The Bahamas continues to be a stable country, The Bahamas government takes the role of Tourism Development serious and among the countries primary mandate is to continue to modernize its infrastructure and key essential services. In addition to pinch-hitting for the Prime Minister with the keynote luncheon address, The Minister of Investment was a panelist for the Summit’s Plenary Session on “Caribbean Development and Investment Forum.”
The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), hosts the Summit annually and this year’s theme is ‘Moving Forward With Our Partners.’ The three-day educational summit is designed to educate attendees on becoming a hotel owner or investor, share minority investment trends, explore supplier opportunities, learn how to market to minorities and discuss diversity issues affecting the industry.
The Friday, July 17th, session, focused on the Caribbean and in addition to representation from The Bahamas, other Caribbean countries participating included, Invest Saint Lucia’s, Chief Executive Officer, McHale S.C. Andrew; Bermuda Tourism Authority’s Roland Andrew Burrows Jr. and St. Martin (French), Commissioner of Tourism, Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool.
The attendees at the annual Summit include hotel owners and operators, hospitality suppliers, country leaders, government decision makers, business professionals, entrepreneurs, industry consultants, academic professors and students.
“Our role is to bring together a diverse group of high quality leaders from across the nation and neighboring Caribbean countries to share hospitality industry tips, educate, grow, motivate people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them to pave the road to success in the industry,” said Andy Ingraham,” Founder/President/CEO of NABHOOD. “It is our hope, as we all continue to develop and grow, that those of you looking for business partners and opportunities will move forward with the right mix of partnership.”
Linville Johnson, Ministry of Tourism Director for the African American Market, interacts with Bahamian hospitality students in attendance at the The 19th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership and Investment Summit, held July 15-17, 2015 at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, Miami, Florida.
