CORAL GABLES, FL – The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) recently elected a new Executive Committee headed by Frank Comito of the Bahamas Hotel Association at its annual Leadership Conference during the ARDA Convention earlier this month in Orlando.

The new CSHAE Executive Committee was selected as executives from national associations across the Caribbean elected a new slate of officers and directors including:

    President:       Frank Comito, Bahamas Hotel Association
    Vice President:  Sue Springer, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association
    Treasurer:       Marion Wilson, Bonaire Hotel & Tourism Association
    Directors:       Neil Forrester, Antigua Hotel & Tourism Association
                     Dee Smith, Bermuda Hotel Association
                     Donald B. Werdekker, Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association
                     Clarisa Jiménez, Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association
                     Caesar Campbell, Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association
                     Pancy Cross, Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association

CSHAE also honored the Turks and Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association and St. Vincent and Grenadines Hotel and Tourism Association with the Electronic Newsletter Newsworthy Award and Printed Newsletter Newsworthy Award, respectively.

The awards recognize the associations for communications by both print and online means based on criteria including:

  1. A consistent means of communication to the membership
  2. Always keeping members aware of CHTA activities and initiatives
  3. A reader friendly format
  4. Providing facts and research about tourism related topics
  5. Encouraging members to support their local association
  6. Allowing members to contribute and participate in the newsletter
  7. Assisting with community outreach and support

The Awards Luncheon was sponsored by Choice Hotels International, who spoke about their Ascend Collection® and the distinct opportunity it represents for independent historic, boutique and unique properties. Choice Hotels Director of Membership Development Caroline Racine explained that the membership program allows hotels to retain their local identity, individuality and signage, while benefiting from Choice Hotels' strong marketing presence, global reservations system, award-winning rewards program, and industry-leading services and resources.

A number of Association Executives and Presidents (pictured right) attended the Leadership Conference to discuss important issues such as regional tourism, occupancy data, safety and security.

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 750 member hotels and 525 allied members.

For more information, visit .

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