Representatives of The West Indian Company Ltd., the V.I. Port Authority and the Tourism Department left the territory this weekend for the 16th annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami. The convention will open Tuesday and continue through Friday.
Seatrade is the largest gathering of cruise line owners, operators and suppliers in the world. It is expected that 100 countries will participate in the event, which features more than 900 exhibitors. The Virgin Islands will be represented with a 400-square-foot display jointly sponsored by WICO, VIPA and Tourism.
As in years past, V.I. representatives are expected to use the four-day conference to promote the territory as a premier cruise destination. Their ultimate goal is to increase cruise ship calls to the islands.
WICO's president, Edward Thomas, leads the company's delegation, which also includes operations director Alfred Lloyd and public relations person Calvin Wheatley. For the Port Authority, executive director Gordon Finch and public relations person Shirley L. Smith are among those attending. Acting Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge and public information officer Kisa Harris will represent Tourism.
