PHILIPSBURG:--- SMART, the biggest marketing effort of the North Eastern Caribbean sub-region is boasting one of the best turn-outs in years. This is the 13th year of the tradeshow set for May 14-16, 2014 at the Radisson Blu Resort Marina & Spa in St. Martin. This annual event draws hoteliers, ground handlers and activities providers from St. Maarten/St. Martin and numerous surrounding islands. With all available tables fully booked, the turnout this year has exceeded expectations. Not only have the numbers increased but the diversity of companies as well.
"SMART stakeholders are extremely pleased with this year's registration count and look forward to a very active and successful event", said Karen Hana, Executive Director of SHTA and Philippe Thevenet, CEO of the AHSM. "We are thrilled that Discover Network could again serve as our main sponsor to help us achieve our goal of creating a very dynamic and effective marketplace." Discover Network, a business unit of Discover Financial Services, is a comprehensive and secure payments network that connects to millions of merchants throughout the U.S., the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Central America. Discover Card markets and supports a full range of credit, debit, and prepaid products and provides customer-centric tools designed to drive loyalty and increase transaction volume.
This year, WINAIR partnered with SMART to offer all delegates special airfares to attend and island-hop pre and post SMART. Maven Voyages is providing complimentary VIP services to all delegates to enhance their traveling experience. A long list of businesses from both sides of the island are co-sponsoring the event to make it even more successful than in previous years.
Forty-four wholesale, travel company, and media representatives from South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay, will spend a week here for site and activities inspections and to attend SMART. This initiative started last year and aims to boast the region and, in particular, St. Maarten/St. Martin's presence in South America by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, in cooperation with the French side Tourist Office, the Anguilla Tourism Authority and COPA Airlines.
In addition to a large number of hotels, resorts, ground handlers, marine and activities' companies from both sides of the island and the region, we will once again have an opportunity for several merchants to promote their products and services adjacent to the selling floor. The event will be officially opened on May 14th with the Welcome Cocktail Party for delegates, around the Pool at the Radisson. The Farewell cocktail party will take place on the 15th around the Pool at the Sonesta Great Bay Resort & Casino.
For more details, please see www.shta.com and click on SMART or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 542-0108.