CHTA President and members triumph at 2023 CMEx Awards

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Nicola Madden-Greig, OD, who serves as the President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), was honored with the 2023 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award in Miami this past weekend.

These awards spotlight excellence and innovation in Caribbean communication and hospitality, recognizing individuals who have made notable contributions to sustainable tourism, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

Addressing a packed audience at Loews Coral Gables on Saturday, Madden-Greig, expressing her vision as CHTA president, stated, “I want to witness the Caribbean region not only expanding but soaring to new heights. I am grateful to be in the company of so many dedicated individuals who tirelessly strive to advance Caribbean tourism. I extend my thanks to each one of you for your efforts, which inspire me to persist in working towards our shared goals.”

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Madden-Greig added, “Thank you to the CMEx Awards for providing us with the platform to acknowledge Caribbean hospitality leaders and communities. This recognition allows us to highlight the true value of hospitality, underscoring its impact on the economy and beyond.”

Since assuming the presidency of CHTA, Madden-Greig has implemented forward-looking initiatives, including the establishment of a Technology Taskforce to integrate new technologies for efficiency and marketing. She also introduced the Caribbean Travel Forum, fostering engagement between private and public thought leaders to discuss the business of tourism.

During the awards ceremony, several other CHTA members received Leadership Awards for their contributions to shaping the region’s tourism landscape. Among the honorees were:

• Beverly Nicholson-Doty, CEO of Figment Design, a CHTA Strategic Partner
• Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and a CHTA Board Member
• Ewald Biemans, Owner/CEO of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba and CHTA Board Member, whose company also received Hall of Fame recognition at CHTA’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) earlier in the week
• Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board
• Stan Hartling, Chief Executive Officer and lead partner of The Hartling Group, Turks and Caicos Islands

Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General of CHTA, commented on the accolades, saying, “These honors reflect the dedication of our president and members to enhancing the Caribbean tourism experience. Their achievements serve as inspiration as we collectively strive for a vibrant and responsible future for Caribbean tourism.”

CMEx plays a crucial role in supporting and fostering the ability of media, government, the travel and tourism industry, and communities to consider the importance of tourism in sustainable development. The organization provides assistance, both financial and in-kind, and shares relevant expertise to support the communities involved.

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