Connect with us

Caribbean News

Sandals Resorts Unveils Fresh Initiatives at Mega Caribbean-Wide Town Hall  

Published

on

Sandals EC and EX

Jamie Green

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Multinational luxury hotel brand, Sandals Resorts recently held its second Caribbean-wide town hall meeting for 2024, where Executive Chairman Adam Stewart addressed thousands of team members live from Montego Bay. The event, which connected employees across nine countries, showcased a suite of transformative projects focused on enhancing both the team member experience and the company’s offerings.

A standout announcement was the launch of the Sandals PALM Pass, a groundbreaking team member discount programme offering savings across a wide range of merchants, including supermarkets, restaurants, gyms, and travel services.

“This is our way of easing the burden of rising global costs,” an impassioned Stewart shared. “I’ve seen our head office working tirelessly, reaching out to business leaders across the Caribbean to make this happen.” He credited the success of the initiative to the Employee Experience Division, spearheaded by Corporate Manager Jamie Green, and emphasised that it’s only the beginning of Sandals’ efforts to enrich the lives of its team.

Sandals Applauds

The PALM Pass is part of a larger wave of enhancements, including improved gratuity offerings and expanded discounted rates for team members and their families. These initiatives were informed by a group-wide survey earlier this year, where team members were invited to share how Sandals could elevate the employee experience.

“Because you spoke, we listened,” Stewart affirmed, addressing thousands of engaged employees both in person and online. Their reactions, marked by smiles, nods, and applause, spoke volumes about the impact of these developments.

Sandals’ eight pillars of employee experience

Building on feedback from the survey, Sandals established eight pillars of employee welfare, which focus on communication, social engagement, collaboration, health and wellness, recognition, and innovation.

Adam Stewart

Green likened these pillars to a chef’s recipe for crafting the perfect dish. One standout initiative, Project Sparkle, has already transformed a dozen staff restaurants across the group, with six more renovations on the horizon. “From mental health initiatives to improved dining facilities, we’re ensuring these pillars touch every level of the organisation,” Green said. “So whether you are a supervisor, a team member, or at any level of the organisation, you will feel the impact of the eight pillars of employee experience.”

 Empowering careers through the SCU

Stewart also shone a spotlight on the transformative power of the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), the fully funded training ground empowering employees to grow within the company. Success stories, like those of Delino Moss and Tamon Allen, who advanced from entry-level roles to senior management, exemplify the opportunities available through SCU.

“These stories are just a snapshot of the magic happening in this company and that has been happening for years,” Stewart said, underscoring that team members remain Sandals’ greatest asset. “We are a people business. The real horsepower that makes us who we are is our 18,500 team members.”

SRB

Looking ahead, Sandals also announced plans for new resorts in The Bahamas, Jamaica, and other destinations, promising more than 5,000 new hires and 300 managerial positions. Stewart encouraged team members to enroll in the SCU, reiterating that Sandals is dedicated to promoting from within.

“When we grow, you grow,” he stated. “I’m offering to 100 percent of our team members in this company, that if you have the right attitude and aptitude, I’ll pay for it. I’ll take you, with our team, to levels you may not be able to reach on your own. Why? Because it’s good for you, and if it’s good for you, it’s great for this company—and if it’s great for this company, we’re going to the moon. And that is the plan. We believe in education.”

The meeting had moments of laughter, camaraderie, and surprise giveaways. Stewart awarded complimentary stays to the newly unveiled Sandals St Vincent, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering a spirit of gratitude and unity.

The meeting left employees inspired and energised, ready to embrace a future defined by growth, opportunity, and the enduring bond that makes Sandals a family.

 

Captions:

Sandals EC and EX – Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and Corporate Manager of Employee Experience Jamie Green address team members during a group-wide town hall meeting broadcast live across the nine countries where Sandals and Beaches Resorts operate.

Sandals Applauds – Team members at Sandals Montego Bay cheer as they learn about exciting new initiatives announced by Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart during a group-wide town hall meeting broadcast live across the nine countries where Sandals and Beaches Resorts operate.

Sandals EC – Executive Chairman Adam Stewart shares a lighthearted moment with team members during a group-wide town hall meeting broadcast live across the nine countries where Sandals and Beaches Resorts operate.

Jamie Green – Corporate Manager of Employee Experience, Jamie Green, introduces the PALM Pass, a team member programme offering discounted rates at select merchants across the region. Unlike the oversized version Green displays, the PALM Pass will conveniently fit in the palm of employees’ hands.

SRB – Team members at Sandals Royal Bahamian attentively tune in during Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ recent group-wide town hall meeting.

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

Published

on

~Sandals Resorts hosts the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas Gala & celebrates its 32nd consecutive win as The Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand~

 

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, October 8, 2025 – Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have been honoured with 16 awards at the 2025 World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas, underscoring their continued leadership across the hospitality landscape.

The Gala Ceremony held at Sandals Grande St. Lucian honoured the visionaries and trailblazers shaping the travel and tourism industry. The evening united government leaders and hospitality professionals for a night of celebration, recognition and inspiration.

Among celebratory toasts, Sandals Resorts International was named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 32nd year in a row. Beaches Turks and Caicos also celebrated its 18th win as the Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort, a recognition that comes ahead of the debut of its Treasure Beach Village, the resort’s $150 million expansion set to open spring 2026.

Other key wins include Sandals Dunn’s River, recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort for the third year in a row after opening its doors in 2023 and Sandals South Coast, awarded the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort.

The 16 awards won under Sandals’ portfolio are:

  • Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2025: Sandals Resorts International
  • Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Turks & Caicos
  • Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • Caribbean’s Leading Dive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
  • Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica
  • Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2025: Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
  • Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Bahamian
  • Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
  • Grenada’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grenada
  • Jamaica’s Leading Adult-Only All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Negril
  • Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Negril
  • Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay
  • Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Caribbean
  • Saint Lucia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
  • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Surrounded by the beauty of Gros-Islet, St. Lucia, the peninsula location of Sandals Grande St. Lucian created the perfect backdrop for World Travel Awards’™ guests to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience and breathtaking island views.

“At the heart of every Sandals and Beaches vacation is pure, inviting Caribbean soul, paired with world-class hospitality experiences for all our guests. The recognitions bestowed to our brands tonight are truly meaningful. They serve as a testament to the incredible passion and dedication of our talented team members,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “It is yet another reminder of why we will never stop evolving, listening to our customers and refining our experiences year after year.”

For more information about these award-winning resorts, please visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com. For more information on the World Travel Awards™, please visit https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Caribbean Powerhouses to Inspire at CaribCon in the Turks and Caicos Islands  

Published

on

Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson is the keynote speaker at CaribCon

 

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

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Guyanese Scholar and Olympian Arrested in Iowa ICE Crackdown

Published

on

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

September 27, 2025 – In a shocking breach of public trust and institutional oversight, Ian Andre Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, who is a citizen of Guyana, was arrested on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a string of serious offenses that raise troubling questions about hiring practices, accountability, and public safety.

Roberts, born in Georgetown, Guyana, is a former Olympian and accomplished scholar.  According to online reports, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University after transferring from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he played soccer.  He holds two master’s degrees—from St. John’s University and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business—attended an Executive MBA program at MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a doctorate in education with a focus on urban educational leadership from Trident University.

Despite these accomplishments, Roberts was living and working without legal authorization.  ICE reported that he fled a traffic stop and abandoned his school-issued vehicle.  At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash.  He also has a prior weapons-related charge.

ICE officials questioned how Roberts could hold such a prominent role while subject to a final deportation order issued in May 2024.  The school district said they were unaware of his immigration status, noting that he had undergone background checks and completed an I-9 form confirming work authorization.  Roberts was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in systems meant to safeguard public institutions and underscores the challenges ICE faces in identifying individuals operating outside U.S. immigration laws while in positions of authority.

For many, Roberts has become a near-literal poster child for these enforcement gaps.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING