This week I had the opportunity to learn more about the annual Caribbean Week in New York. This week is presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization and is a wonderful opportunity for the Caribbean travel industry to come together for various workshops, conferences and events. I met with members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Board who filled me in on this exciting but hectic week. Representatives from almost every island of the Caribbean make their way to New York City for this week-long event. On the marketing side, I think this a great opportunity for the various tourism boards to share ideas and thoughts on the industry and how they can appropriately reach their audiences. One of the events, the Caribbean Media Marketplace, is designed specifically for the media to come and learn more about each of the destinations. The week will end on a fun note with the annual Rum & Rhythm party and benefit. The event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased online. The event is filled with Caribbean flavor in the food, drinks, music and all-around atmosphere. Guests can sample award-winning Caribbean rums as well as delicious food prepared by celebrity chefs of the islands. It takes place in downtown Manhattan at Tribeca 360. It sounds like a very fun event, and on top of it, Rum & Rhythm supports the CTO Foundation. A silent auction is held at the event to benefit the foundation, which, after some research, I learned provides scholarships to Caribbean nationals in the areas of tourism, hospitality and languages. It sounds like a great event I wouldn’t mind attending; except I’d prefer for it to actually take place in the Caribbean! — Olivia Falcione, advertising manager