CHTA announces list of prominent industry leaders as speakers at CHIEF 2025

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has unveiled a powerhouse lineup of industry changemakers for the 2025 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), set for November 16–18 in Barbados. Featuring hotel innovators and global tourism experts, this year’s speaker roster brings real-world strategies for an industry navigating rapid transformation.

Guided by the theme “Innovating Caribbean Tourism for a Disrupted World: Adapting with Purpose, Leading with People, Planning for Permanence,” CHIEF 2025 will empower hoteliers and tourism professionals to translate disruption into growth, creativity, and competitiveness.

“CHIEF continues to evolve in real time, addressing the challenges that hoteliers face today while providing the tools they can apply tomorrow,” said Sanovnik Destang, President of CHTA. “Our speakers represent the best of Caribbean innovation, collaboration, and leadership.”

From rapid-fire CHIEF Talks to in-depth general sessions, this year’s program connects ideas to implementation—showing how technology, talent, and sustainability can drive profitability and resilience across the Caribbean.

Event Highlights CHIEF Talks

Flavors with Intent: Elevating Caribbean Cuisine
Carlos Portela, Owner, Orujo Taller de Gastronomia (PR); James Beard Foundation Finalist 2024 for Best Chef South; 2005 Taste of the Caribbean Chef of the Year

Clicks That Count: Turning Social Media Into Direct Bookings
Mikael Doumeng, Director of Digital Marketing, Bolongo Beach Resort (USVI)

General Sessions

Staffing Smarter: Building Flexible Teams for an Unpredictable World
Panel: Karyn Williams-Sykes (Managing Director, Attune Consulting Inc.); Ryan Matthew (Director, Human Resources, Sandals Resorts International); Néstor J. Ruiz Doreste (COO, IHP Hospitality)

Sales Saved Us: Building a Direct Booking Machine in a Crisis
Panel: Rich Tuckwell-Skuda (CEO & Founder, TAG – The Anything Group); Jason Capraro (CEO, Hovr)

Digital Futures: AI, Automation, and the Caribbean Guest Experience
Panel: Charlie Osmond (Chief Growth Officer, Triptease); Adam Mongelonsky (Partner, Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd. & Lead GAIN Advisor)

Turning Staff to Stakeholders: Redesigning the Employee Experience
Panel: Darron Turnquest (Director of People & Senior People Business Partner, Cable & Wireless); Julie Turney (Founder & Chief Impact Architect, HR@Heart Consulting Inc.); Crescenzia Biemans (Managing Director, Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort)

Smart Revenue: How Data, Demand, and Disruption Can Increase the Bottom Line
Blanka Dewapura, Managing Partner/Co-Founder, Oceanid Hospitality Group

Breakout Sessions

Wellness 360: Building a Healthier Business, Team, and Planet
Adam Mongelonsky, Partner, Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd. & Lead GAIN Advisor

Sourcing Smarter: Partnering Locally for Profit and Purpose
Patrick Antoine PhD, CEO and Technical Director, CARICOM Private Sector Organization

Wired for Success: Building Smart Tech Infrastructure in Caribbean Hospitality
Carlos Lugo, Strategic Hospitality Advisor, GAIN and President, Lugatti Consulting Group

Rethinking Retention from the Inside Out
Sheba Wilson, Vice President, Human Resources, Grace Bay Resorts (TCI)

The Direct Booking Playbook: Turning Browsers into Buyers
Charlie Osmond, Chief Growth Officer, Triptease

Personalization at Scale: Using Tech to Surprise and Delight
Carlos Lugo, Strategic Hospitality Advisor, GAIN and President, Lugatti Consulting Group

A Must-Attend Event for Tourism Professionals

Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies, peer connections, and new business opportunities, making CHIEF the Caribbean’s must-attend forum for growth-minded tourism professionals.

Source: CHTA