Caribbean hotel group elects new executive

MONTEGO BAY—The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Leadership Conference, sponsored by American Resort Development Association—Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC), prior to Caribbean Travel Marketplace where members voted for its executive committee for the 2014-16 term. Association executives from 14 hotel associations met and elected the following individuals to the CSHAE executive committee:
• President—Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, executive director, Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association
• Vice President—Neil Forrester, general manager, Antigua Hotels & Tourism Association
• Treasurer—Stacey Cox, association executive, Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
• Secretary—Irene Dingjan, CEO, Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association
• Chairman—Lisa Hamilton, president, United States Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association 
Other members elected to the CSHAE Board of Directors include:
• Sue Springer, executive vice president, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association
• Clarisa Jimenez, president and CEO, Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association
• Louanna Chai-Alves, executive director, Trinidad Hotels. Restaurants and Tourism Association
• Jim Hepple, president and CEO, Aruba hotel and Tourism Association

“I am extremely humbled that the association executives think highly of my work over the years and have placed confidence in me to lead the CSHAE group of executives for the next two years,” said Gumbs-Samuel. “I am proud of the fact that the CSHAE presidency is held for the first time by an executive from Anguilla and look forward to working with the dynamic group of association executives from other Caribbean countries to enhance the state of the hospitality and tourism industries within the region.”

The executives discussed the role each destination’s association plays in the overall success of the region’’s tourism industry and the importance of developing a strong partnership with the local tourist boards. They also discussed issues and concerns facing each country including local government challenges, lack of adequate marketing funds, air lift and excessive taxation.

The CSHAE is a professional association whose members include the top executives and senior managers from the region’s private-sector led hotel and tourism-related organisations. 

Its primary focus is to serve as a network for the region’s associations by supporting the professional development of the staff and voluntary leadership; facilitating the gathering and flow of information; advancing programs in support of regional advocacy and product improvement efforts; and working collaboratively with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in achieving mutual goals.