Jamaica in State of Readiness for Diaspora Conference

Plans for the upcoming 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference are “in a state of readiness,” says Conference Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the VM Group, Courtney Campbell.

The conference is scheduled to take place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James, from June 16 to 19. It will be held under the theme: ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: fostering peace, productivity and youth empowerment’.

“We are in a good state of readiness. We have a strong Secretariat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. They are experienced at this, and we have established a Preparatory Committee,” Mr. Campbell said.

He was speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, held on April 25 at the Agency’s head office, in Kingston.

Mr. Campbell said the committee comprises relevant team members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, government bodies and Missions overseas and are guided by the Conference Chair and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge.

“It’s a whole of government approach and we have people who are very experienced. The key aspects of the logistics are already in place. We have a venue that has been signed off and our hosts there are looking forward to facilitating the conference,” he added.

Mr. Campbell pointed out that hotels for accommodation and transportation for the conference have been booked.

A feature of the conference is a Diaspora Marketplace, which allows public and private sector entities and overseas business operators to share information on their products and services with conference participants.

Mr. Campbell said that the 50 available spaces at the Marketplace have been fully booked, and the Secretariat is now looking for additional spaces for other entities.

Meanwhile, he noted that the registration of participants is ongoing.

“We are saying, we are ready for you. Please register, book your flight, book your hotel accommodation, and make it to Jamaica from the 16th to the 19th of June,” Mr. Campbell said.

He noted that a registration deadline has not yet been set for the conference, adding that persons can benefit from early bird prices which will be available until May 15.

Persons registering online for the conference can visit the Ministry’s Evenbrite registration website: diasporaconferenceja.evenbrite.com.

The website also provides additional information, such as hotel accommodation and early bird prices for persons who register for the conference.