Connection, Conciousness, Celebration

The University of the West Indies’ Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management (CHTM) Virtual Reunion 2020 marked the end of a year-long planning process by a core group of CHTM graduates. The ambitious undertaking targeted all year groups of CHTM from 1981 to the present. Initial plans to have an on-island, inperson reunion event were impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the decision was made in June 2020 to pivot to a virtual event. The Virtual Reunion maintained the original dates targeted for the in-person event of October 2 – 3 2020. Two hundred and thirty-five (235) graduates registered for the Reunion to participate in a program of activities which comprised Year Group and Island ‘limes’ and a series of Roundtable Conversations on perspectives on the ‘Future of Caribbean Hospitality and Tourism in the New Normal’.

YEAR GROUP LIMES
The fun began on the evening of Friday 2 October with Year Group limes. CHTM graduates in year group ‘epochs’ (1981 – 1989, 1990 – 1993, 1994 – 1999, 2000 – 2006, 2007 – 2012, 2013 – 2020) met in virtual breakout rooms, caught up with old friends and formed new bonds with other cohorts. The evening of friends, fun and drinks set the tone perfectly for Day 2.

ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATIONS
The Roundtable Conversations began at 10am on Saturday 3 October. At the brief, virtual opening ceremony, Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Mr Robert Bermudez celebrated the reunion initiative and the
inauguration of the CHTM Alumni Chapter in his keynote remarks. Ms Celia Davidson-Francis, Director, Alumni Relations and Mr Richard Blades, new President of the CHTM Alumni Chapter also provided additional words of recognition and welcome.

Hosted and facilitated exclusively by UWI CHTM graduates, the Roundtable Conversations were rich, bold, and thought provoking – an exceptional tapestry of perspectives, ideas and recommendations for the recovery and revitalization of Caribbean Tourism by optimizing the opportunities presented to ‘resilience proof’ the Caribbean’s most important economic sector. The quality and richness of the engagement between contributors, participating graduates and visitors was testimony of vital importance of dialogue. Attendance ranged from between 60 and 80 persons through the day to 5pm. Feedback from those tuning in lauded the fantastic presenters, and urged the new Alumni Executive
to take on board the several issues raised for further dialogue and advocacy.

ISLAND LIMES
After the more serious work of the roundtables, the fun continued that evening and into the wee hours with the Island
Limes – groupings for the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, Barbados and Trinidad and
Tobago. This amazing experience was amplified by the opportunities to visit any island grouping – virtual travel made a
reality!

MORE TO COME
All the feedback, characterized in superlatives, spoke to the resounding success of the UWI CHTM Virtual Reunion 2020, with persons looking forward to the opportunity for an in-person event in 2021. In the meantime, there is tremendous excitement surrounding the new UWI CHTM Alumni Chapter, with commitment by many to make the new entity a successful and powerful lobby for the Caribbean Region’s tourism recovery and future success.

The sincere thanks of all virtual reunion attendees goes to the
outstanding Reunion Planning Team. The absolute magic of the
weekend is perfectly captured in the feedback from one
graduate…

“Amazing planning… world class execution… visionary
presentations… joyful exchanges… Thank you for a simply awesome experience. Let us now continue the momentum to make positive changes through our network on Caribbean Tourism and its linkages. If each one builds one… then together we can build many!”
Janine Edwards, 1994 Graduate