The most unique gathering of industry professionals in the Caribbean yachting industry will take place this coming weekend at Jolly Beach Resort and Spa on the west coast of Antigua. Fifty people from around the region including regatta organisers, Caribbean Sailing Assocation (CSA) rating rule measurers, race officials, Member National Authorities, yacht club managers and youth sailing co-ordinators will meet at the CSA Annual Conference to discuss the sport of sailing and how the economic benefits it brings to the region can continue to be improved.
Comprising three days, the Conference begins with the Annual General Meeting on Friday 21st October, followed by two days of regatta organisers’ meetings including break-out sessions focussing on issues of relevance to Member National Authorities and youth sailing and development.
Included in the impressive list of presenters are America’s Cup sailor and Olympic medallist Peter Holmberg, David Pritchard of Gill North America, Tim Cross, Word Sailing Training and Development Nominated Member, Robyn Albritton of Sailors for the Sea, and Pascale Sold, Brand Manager of Remy Cointreau Caribbean, as well as other members of the CSA. Two Antiguan young sailors, Jules Mitchell and Vincent Anfi, will also take place in a session discussing youth sailing. Attending delegates represent a total of 19 countries and take this opportunity to network with like-minded industry professionals.
The conference will be held at Jolly Beach Resort and Spa, a beachfront property under new management. The Resort is a proud sponsor of the CSA Conference and General Manager Antoine Brown had this to say: “Jolly Beach Resort and Spa is delighted to support this conference. The yachting industry is vital to our region where events account for a large proportion of the reasons our visitors come to visit. For Jolly Beach Resort and Spa specifically, our location so close to Jolly Harbour, the largest accommodation and marina resort in the Caribbean, means the yachting industry is even more important to us.”
President of the Caribbean Sailing Association, Kathy Lammers, says of the conference, “The CSA Annual Conference has become a must-do event on the calendar of a large number of yachting industry professionals from across the region. It provides a perfect opportunity for us to gather as a group in one location to discuss everything from trends in race management to sustainability, marketing, sponsorship, MNA and World Sailing hot topics and issues, and our keen focus on sailing development. It is a vital part of the annual planning process for most of the delegates who attend. We are very grateful to both Jolly Beach Resort and Spa and LIAT, the Caribbean Airline for coming on board as sponsors this year and helping to make this event possible.”
To find out more about the Caribbean Sailing Association visit: www.caribbean-sailing.com and for more about the conference visit: www.csaconference.org.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The mission of the Caribbean Sailing Association is to promote sailing within the region, and Caribbean sailing to the world. The CSA also administers Rating Rules to provide a simple and fair handicap system for racing. Additionally, the CSA serves as a forum for yacht clubs, regattas, sailing organizations and sailors throughout the Caribbean to coordinate interests and events, exchange ideas and best practices, and combine voices to achieve broader exposure to the international community. More information about the organisation and its members can be found at www.caribbean-sailing.com.
PRESIDENT: Kathy Lammers president@caribbean-sailing.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Alison Sly-Adams vp@caribbean-sailing.com