Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Teachers Feted by Sandals
#MontegoBay, May 15, 2023 – More than 250 teachers from 38 schools in St. Ann and St. Mary were hosted by the Sandals International Resorts Ocho Rios Region properties as part of the Health & Wellness Teachers’ Day celebration at Pearly Beach, St. Ann, on May 10.
In partnership with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA), the participating hotels were Sandals Dunn’s River, Ochi Beach Resort, Sandals Royal Plantation and Beaches Ocho Rios.
“This was our way of giving back and saying thank you to our hard-working teachers,” explained Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager, Lyndsay Isaacs.
“The teachers benefited from services, including HIV/syphilis testing, pap smears, general medical checkup, cholesterol, tetanus & Human Papillomavirus vaccinations, blood sugar and blood pressure checks,” she said.
The event also saw teachers winning prizes to Dunn’s River Falls, Green Grotto Caves, four weekends to a Sandals/Beaches Resort, among other gifts. Each teacher was also presented with a memorabilia plaque from the region.
“We made sure there was something for everyone. Our teachers went through a lot throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and needed a break to unwind. Our partners, the UDC and NERHA, must also be commended for a job well done,” Ms. Isaacs said.
Teacher at Mile End Basic School, St. Ann, Jenielle Pinnock, who won one of the major prizes, said it was great that Sandals and the two government entities [UDC and NERHA] could assemble so many teachers together “for a fun-filled day”.
“I am also overwhelmed at winning this dream weekend for two. I will be going to a Beaches Resort with my son who will be celebrating his sixth birthday in July and who will also be graduating. He is doing extremely well in school, and this will be the perfect wish I had, that is now a reality. The entire day was beyond expectation. I did not expect it to be that much fun and to see everyone just having a great time. The entire staff were exceptional too,” she pointed out.
Senior teacher at Runaway Bay All-Age School, Audrey Ashmeade, was also equally elated.
“Sandals and company really went all out so we could all enjoy ourselves. With all we have been through over the past two to three years, this was indeed a welcome reprieve,” she told JIS News.
Meanwhile, Manager of the Ocho Rios Commercial Centre Limited (a subsidiary of the UDC), Angela Strudwick, said it was a great gesture on the part of Sandals to put the event together, adding that “we are just happy that we were able to participate… alongside NEHRA”.
Contact: Garwin Davis
Release: JIS
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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