CORAL GABLES, FL | The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), together with the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association and the St. Lucia Tourist Board, are preparing to host Caribbean Marketplace 2009 for the first time in the Eastern Caribbean, Jan. 18-20, 2009 in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.

All business meetings will take place in a fully air-conditioned temporary structure that is being erected in Gros Islet beside The Landings. The business floor will be 63,000 sq. ft., which is 50% larger than the floor at the Atlantis Paradise Island (a traditional venue for the event), accommodating over 400 booths representing more than 500 hotel and tourism companies.

In 2008, there were over 1,000 supplier delegates representing 381 supplier companies from 32 countries in addition to the 369 buyer delegates from 148 companies representing 22 countries. Caribbean Marketplace provides a forum for business meetings that match buyers and suppliers through a computerized program of appointments, making it much easier to conduct business meetings. In 2008, CHTA pre-scheduled 16,172 appointments before the start of last year's Caribbean Marketplace.

Appointment seeking delegates need to register by Dec. 12, 2008 in order to be included in the scheduling process.

Buyer registration remains at the same price of $299 per person while the supplier delegate fee is $429 per person. Registration includes pre-scheduled appointments (if registration is received before Dec. 12, 2008), listing in the electronic Delegate Directory, two buffet lunches, opening cocktail reception, buffet dinner and entertainment at the Caribbean Night event, entrance to all business and social functions, and shuttle bus service between host hotels and Caribbean Marketplace venues. Hotel accommodations are NOT included in the registration fee for buyers or suppliers.

Supplier participation at Caribbean Marketplace 2009 requires the purchase of a booth. Booth rentals are priced as follows: $610 per hotel for a small shared booth (two small hotels share 6 ft. x 8 ft. space), $1,010 for a small booth (6 ft. x 8 ft.), $1,910 for a large booth (8 ft. x 8 ft.) and $2,210 for a mega booth (10 ft. x 8 ft.).

CHTA has arranged for special hotel rates for Caribbean Marketplace delegates at a number of hotels throughout St. Lucia. The deadline for special hotel rates is Dec. 12, 2008. For a complete list of host hotels and reservation procedures, visit .

In addition to CHTA and St. Lucia, sponsors of Caribbean Marketplace 2009 include: American Express, Caribbean Travel & Life, Foster's Group, Interval International, Pegasus Solutions, Starwood Caribbean Collection, and Virgin Holidays.

For complete details or to register for Caribbean Marketplace 2009, call CHTA at 305-443-3040, e-mail: [email protected] or visit .

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association | The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) aims to facilitate the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving members' needs and building partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. CHTA was founded in 1962; it is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality industry for the development of the region in the highly competitive and sophisticated environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely recognized as a pivotal industry in the economy of the region - and CHTA functions as the common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse nationalities, languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshalling the resources of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents all facets of the hospitality industry with more than 800 member hotels and 750 allied members.

For more information, visit .

Theresa M. Oakes
KTCpr
(516) 594-4100
CHTA

Related