PHILIPSBURG:--- Junior Chamber International (JCI), formerly known as the Jaycees, an international organization for young professionals aged 18 to 40, is proud to bring young leaders from across the Dutch Caribbean together in Sint Maarten.
JCI SXM ACTION will host the JCI Dutch Caribbean National Convention 2026 from October 22 to 24, with training sessions and a closing gala at Simpson Bay Resort (SBR). The public is invited to take part.
Day 1, Thursday, October 22: Trainings and Opening Ceremony
The convention opens with three professional development sessions at SBR:
● Professional Etiquette, led by Rolando Tobias
● Project Management, led by Shakira Sedney-Albertoe
● Sustainable Business Practices, led by Jerome Gumbs
The evening continues with a cocktail Opening Ceremony at the DSTA Event Hall in Madame
Estate, celebrating the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) nominees for the Dutch
Caribbean, a program that honors young leaders for their achievements and service. JCI is
especially proud that six of the ten nominees are from Sint Maarten:
● Ralph Cantave, Political, Legal and/or Governmental Affairs
● Shanica Romney, Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership
● Joy Carty, Cultural Achievement
● Tanya Balani, Medical Innovation
● Natorii Illidge, Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment
● Sabrine Brismeur, Moral and/or Environmental Leadership
This follows a proud moment from last year, when three of Sint Maarten’s very own were honored at the TOYP Awards at the 2025 National Convention in Curaçao:
● Dr. Rolinda Carter, Medical Innovation
● Louinel “Skelet” Telisma, Business and Economic Accomplishment
● Dannah Abraham, Personal Improvement and Development
JCI is honored to highlight hard-working young individuals making an impact in our communities.
Day 2, Friday, October 23: General Assembly Members will gather for the General Assembly, the organization’s official business meeting, to
discuss JCI matters and chart the way forward.
Day 3, Saturday, October 24: Trainings and Gala Night. The final day features sessions designed to help participants lead and grow in a changing
business landscape:
● Business Etiquette and Marketing with AI, led by Laurina A. Gombes
● Building Generational Wealth with AI, a panel discussion featuring Laurina A.
Gombes, Luidgi Carolina-Litan, MP Arion Ardwell and Emilio Kalmera
● Business Management with Claude AI, led by Luidgi Carolina-Litan
The convention concludes with the Closing and Awards Ceremony, a gala night at SBR
recognizing local organizations for their hard work and dedication.
Fees
● Trainings: $25 per training
● Opening Ceremony cocktail: $30
● Closing Ceremony gala: $80
Registration is encouraged, as seats are limited. Visit JCI St. Maarten on Facebook and
@jcisxmaction on Instagram for more information on the event and how to register.