The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) highlights Barbadian journalist Gercine Carter, a distinguished leadership laureate who will be celebrated at the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area.
Carter has spent nearly five decades covering the people, places and events that shape Caribbean tourism.
Her broadcasting career began at age 15 when she was invited to host a radio program for teenagers. She later joined a youth discussion series produced by the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation and the University of the West Indies’ Extra-Mural Department.
In 1968, Carter joined the Barbados Advocate as a reporter and was assigned to the airport beat, giving her an early view of the tourism industry. Her coverage of events at the Barbados Hilton led to a role at the hotel, first as a social hostess and later as guest and public relations manager, a position she held for 16 years.
Carter continued writing for the Barbados Advocate and later The Nation, covering tourism across Barbados, the region and internationally. She also provided consultancy services to the former Barbados Board of Tourism.
Her contributions have earned her a place in the Barbados Association of Journalists’ Hall of Fame and a Heritage Award for exceptional national coverage at the 2016 Barbados Tourism Media Awards. In 2026, Carter was named one of three finalists for the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s Distinguished Service to Tourism Award.
The 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is powered by Platinum Sponsor, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism with Anguilla Tourist Board and Carnival Corporation serving as Gold Sponsors.
Major sponsors include The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Additional sponsors supporting the cause include Coco Palm (St. Lucia), Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas), Fond Doux Eco Resort (St. Lucia), Jade Mountain (St. Lucia), Ladera Resort (St. Lucia), Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort (Grenada), GRUPO PUNTACANA (The Westin Puntacana Resort), Secret Bay (Dominica), The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Tropical Attractions, and Vanessa James Media.
Proceeds support educational programs, youth development initiatives and professional training designed to empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism and media leaders.
For more details visit cmexmedia.org.
