TOURISM’S RISING STARS DEBATE SUSTAINABILITY
~ Caribbean students at Regional and US universities to present projects at Student Colloquium during Caribbean Week in New York ~
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (June 5, 2011) – The Caribbean’s tourism stars of tomorrow get an opportunity to shine today at one of the most compelling events for Caribbean Week in New York. And one of America’s most powerful motivational speakers will provide the spark.
Caribbean students from several universities in the United States and the Caribbean square off in a Student Colloquium at which they challenge each other on tourism sustainability issues in a free-style presentation format.
Dubbed “A Forum for Rising Stars in Caribbean Tourism,” the colloquium is a contest among the students who will challenge their colleagues to present well-researched sustainable tourism projects that are practical and have the potential to provide a sustainable source of income.
Setting the stage for the contest is motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson, the president and CEO of the Center for Black Student Achievement – an outreach programme designed to offer strategies to black students on how to be successful in life. Mr. Watson, a fiery speaker, was kicked out of high school 37 times. Today he is one of the US’s most successful motivational speakers – he is being compared to well-known figures like Jesse Jackson and Bill Cosby – and has received over 250 awards, including five White House citations, for his work with black youth.
“This awesome event will have attendees pumped up and inspired as they share ideas, insights and strategies on sustainable development that will enhance the lifestyles of Caribbean people,” said Mr. Watson in discussing his excitement at being the motivational speaker at the event.
The Colloquium is the creation of CTO interns who were enrolled at Universities in the Caribbean and the United States as their contribution to the programme of activities for Caribbean Week in New York. It takes place from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Tuesday 7 June at Pace University, One Pace Plaza, New York City and is sponsored by Barbados Tourism Authority, St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Citi Tech Solutions, Ocean Terrace Resort St. Kitts, Pace University and Sunbay Hotel.
Caribbean Week in New York is supported by Afar Magazine, American Express, Association of Travel Marketing Executives, BRIDES, Caribbean Tales, Carib Vision, Churches United to Save and Heal, Citi Tech Solutions, CTO Foundation, Demetrious, Diamond Noir Collective, Dreamy Weddings, Dwayne Bishop Photography, Empire State Building, Hermies Salon, Hard Beat Communications, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Jamaica, MarryCaribbean, opusseven, Pace University, Performance Media Group, St. George’s Episcopal Church, St. Kitts & Nevis, Travelocity and the Wall Street Journal . For more information on the Student Colloquium and for the full Caribbean Week in New York programme, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com.
