The 2024 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards and Fundraiser returned to Miami on December 8, 2024, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.
The event brought together leaders in tourism, media, and sustainable development and celebrated the achievements of some of the region’s brightest stars while raising funds to support educational initiatives.
From recognizing trailblazing contributions to fostering meaningful exchanges, the CMEx Leadership Awards underscored the critical role of collaboration in advancing Caribbean tourism.
Powered by The Islands of the Bahamas, this event not only celebrated excellence but also paved the way for future partnerships and progress in the industry.
This year’s honorees included:
Kashmie Ali – Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sailrock South Caicos
Tracy Berkeley – CEO, Bermuda Tourism Authority
Latia Duncombe – Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation
Laura Dowrich-Phillips – Caribbean Journalist and Public Relations Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos
Ambassador Victor Fernandes – Veteran Caribbean Broadcaster and Barbados Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States
Gloria and Solomon Herbert – Co-founders of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine
Dr. Lisa Indar – Interim Executive Director, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
Eroline and Lyton Lamontagne – Owners, Fond Doux Eco Resort in St. Lucia
Thea LaFond – 2024 Olympic Champion, Dominica
Vanessa Ledesma – CEO, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
Marc Melville – CEO, Chukka Caribbean Adventures
Marie McKenzie – Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corporation & plc
Jennifer Nugent-Hill – Director of Government and Community Affairs, Tropical Shipping
Simón Suárez – Vice President, Grupo Puntacana
Ellison “Tommy” Thompson – Former Deputy Director General of Tourism, Bahamas, and Former CEO, St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Christine Valls – Director of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Airlines
The event was supported by:
- Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
- Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Grenada
- Brion City Hotel, BW Signature Collection, Curaçao
- Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
- Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, St. Lucia
- Carnival Corporation & plc
- Coco Palm Resort, St. Lucia
- Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Bahamas
- Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort, Dominica
- Gallows Point Resort, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort, St. Eustatius
- Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
- Little Good Harbour & The Atlantis Historic Inn, Barbados
- Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Nevis
- Mount Cinnamon Hotel & Beach Club, Grenada
- Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts
- Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados, Barbados
- Rodman Marketing Guru
- The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, Jamaica
- The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa, Nevis
- The Hartling Group, Turks and Caicos
- The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Jamaica
- The Palms Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos
- Ti Bananne West Indian Bistro & Bar
- Tropical Attractions
- Tropical Shipping
- Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort
- Marketplace Excellence Corporation
- Vanessa James Media
PHOTO CAPTION: CMEx 2024 Laureates (l-r) Laura Dowrich-Phillips, Kashmie Ali, Dr. Lisa Indar, Eroline Lamontagne, Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, Latia Duncombe, Marc Melville, Marie McKenzie, Zyan Avraham (receiving on behalf of Gloria and Solomon Herbert), Jennifer Nugent-Hill, Lyton Lamontagne, Vanessa Ledesma, Tracy Berkeley, and Christine Valls.
