EIBTM announced last week the winners of the EIBTM 2005 Awards, with the Grand Prix prize going to D-Day Marketing for ABCrossing, a hugely successful event designed to promote reading amongst Madrid citizens. This year saw an outstanding quality of entrants, with the 2005 EIBTM Awards encouraging creativity and rewarding excellence in the meetings and incentives industry.

Residents of the Cayman Islands and visitors alike enjoyed two more days of unique jazz experiences following the opening of the Cayman Jazz Fest on the British dependency last week. Jazz aficionados were treated to an evening of virtuoso jazz performances at the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa in the world-class musical event that has sprung up in Grand Cayman in just two short years.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has picked Washington DC as the venue for its 2006 Global Summit, which for some people in the industry is a universal first choice. The USA does not have a good image abroad, especially in some regions of the world where tourism is emerging as a strong factor in economic growth.

EIBTM will launch of a brand-new initiative entitled the Association Contacts Exchange at its upcoming fair in Spain´s Barcelona later this month. The Association Contacts Exchange initiative has been designed to create the opportunity for EIBTM destination exhibitors to share their knowledge and association leads.

The Caribbean Hotel Sales and Marketing Strategy Conference will convene for the first time in Miami, December 1 and 2, at the Hyatt Regency. The event is causing a buzz in the Caribbean tourism industry and is set to outlay new guidelines for the sector. Presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the conference will feature seasoned executives and experts who will speak on a range of hot topics, such as e-commerce marketing, search engine optimization and distribution, affiliate marketing, revenue management, and sales strategy development.

Allister Williams, Executive Director of the St. Kitts Music Festival, announced this week that the St. Kitts Music Festival 2006 will be held from June 29 to July 2 next year, instead of over the last full weekend in June, as is traditional. The Music Festival dates have been changed in order to avoid conflict with the Cricket Test match between the West Indies and India, to be held on St. Kitts June 22 through 26.