WIADCA, Caribbean Tourism Organization and Caribbean Heads of Delegations forge relationship-building outreach during Caribbean Week

New York, USA - A ‘marriage made in heaven’ - that of “WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) and CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization) bringing collective minds together.” These were the words of Brooklyn-born Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, as she engaged the audience in front of her.  She went on to say that it (the marriage) was ‘one that should have taken place years ago,’ and the two organizations did indeed come together at what was billed as a “ground-breaking, relationship-building dinner.”  On a great Spring evening—the last in the month of May—hosted at Giando On The Water in Brooklyn, present were Heads of Caribbean Delegations all in New York for the CTO’s annual Caribbean Week. 

Among the invitees was the president of USSA (United States Steelband Association) Martin Douglas. Chairman of the CTO Richard Sealy from Barbados (also his country’s Minister of Tourism and International Transport) was in attendance along with Hugh Riley, the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the CTO. City, state and federal officials were also on hand.  One of those speaking on the initiative was Kelly Craighead, the Executive Director of the National Travel and Tourism Office within the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

The primary purpose of this gathering was networking, to look at ways to promote, explore and cultivate ties between the Caribbean region, especially in regard to tourism and Carnival in New York. In addressing the crowd, WIADCA president William Howard says he was extremely pleased to be working with the CTO to foster a greater spirit of inclusion in the upcoming Carnival celebrations.

Caribbean Week runs from June 1 through June 5, 2016 in New York.

Left to right:  CTO Chairman Richard Sealy; USSA President Martin Douglas; Executive Director, National Travel and Tourism Office Kelly Craighead; WIADCA President William R. Howard and Hugh Riley, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the CTO