Registration has opened for the region’s most anticipated travel trade event, Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Slated for May 11-14, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)-hosted event will be virtual this year. Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA’s Acting CEO and Director General, foresees a dynamic and robust gathering as “the world emerges from COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the pent-up demand for travel fuels the revival of the Caribbean’s main bread earner, tourism.” Noting the advantages of a virtual conference, she asserted participants will be able to add more meetings to their schedules from the comfort of their offices, while saving on travel and accommodation expenses. Read more.

The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority’s Enterprise Zone Commission, in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, is seeking local, licensed small manufacturers and artisans in various industries to apply for the 2021 “Made in the USVI” Pop Up Shop on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.  This shop will be open from April 19-30. Local, licensed small manufacturers and artisans are encouraged to apply to be a vendor at the “Made in the USVI” Pop Shop on St. Thomas by, or prior to, 12 p.m. on April 16. Applications can be downloaded here on the VIEDA website. Read more.

The Real-Time Energy Monitoring Pilot Program (REM Program) provides residents and small business owners with a home energy monitor. With this program we aim to give people more transparency into their energy profile, i.e., how much electricity they use and when. We believe that providing residents and business owners more visibility into their day-to-day electricity usage allows them to make better decisions about how to become more energy efficient through their purchases and behaviors. A successful pilot program will allow the energy office to gain a better understanding of energy usage in the Virgin Islands and develop more ways to increase energy equity in our community. Read more and click the flyer to the right to expand.

On March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 created the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide grants for restaurants sustaining financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is administering the program, and will be issuing the necessary federal rules, regulations, and applications before grant funds are distributed. This frequently asked questions (FAQ) resource will be updated as the SBA releases information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant (RRFG) Program. Browse the document for updated information about applications, eligibility and figuring grant amounts.

We encourage you to participate in the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands Evacuation Survey being conducted jointly by FEMA, VITEMA, the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust, NOAA, V.I. Department of Health and the University of South Florida. The partnership will research the 2021 hurricane season in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to provide an overall picture of how an evacuation event might play out this season. Click the flyer to the right to expand. Click here to view the flyer in Spanish. Begin the survey here.

Dean John Quelch and the Miami Herbert 'Business School invite you to Herbert Half Hour: 30 Minutes with Gloria Guevara, President & CEO World Travel & Tourism Council, on April 21 at 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click here to register. Topic: Can I Travel Overseas this Summer? Read more.

Please feel free to look through our website, take advantage of our FREE library of downloadable resources, including hi-res boating images and media best practices for boating marketing, and register as a campaign partner while you’re there. We also routinely post helpful safety tips for travelers and outdoor recreators on our blog.

Additionally, you might be interested in our first ever VIRTUAL annual conference: the International Boating and Water Safety Summit. This is a premier event for boating safety and education, attracting a variety of boating and water safety professionals and volunteers. Oh, also – registration is FREE. For more information, visit: www.ibwss.org.

For more information, contact Omar Andres Haedo directly at omar.a.haedo@elan.insure.