With Theresa Storm
30OCT07
Terestella Gonzalez-Denton (PRTC),Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila
and CTO chairman Allen Chastanet
cut the ribbon to officially open CTC30 exhibition
Rondilla de Humacao performs at the opening of CTC-30
Caribbean Tourism Conference A Class Act From Start to Finish
The new UDSD 450-million San Juan Convention Center was a most fitting venue for the 30th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-30), hosted last week in Puerto Rico by the Caribbean Tourism Organization under the theme, “The next generation – learning from the past; preparing for the future.”
Terestella González Denton, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, proudly showcased the futuristic, state-of-the-art meeting venue as 630 delegates, including 115 travel agents (just one from Canada), donned their Sunday best to kick things off in the ballroom.
Jewels sparkled under rainbow-hued lights as the glitzy opening ceremony certainly matched the grandeur of the Caribbean’s largest convention centre. Under a starry backdrop, children’s group, Rondalla de Humacao, strummed Puerto Rican folk songs on traditional, guitar-like cuatros while guests awaited Governor Anibal Acevedo Vilá.
Alpha, seven hunky Puerto Rican a cappella stars (think El Divo), raised goose bumps with the best-ever rendition of the American national anthem. Later, the Juvenile Symphonic Orchestra of Toa Baja got CTO Secretary General Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace’s toes tapping, while Alec Sanguinetti, CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Association, played the beat on his knees.
With a flourish, the ribbon was snipped and delegates discovered Puerto Rican hospitality on the balmy outdoor terrace, salsaing up to the Rums of Puerto Rico bar and sampling delicioso delicacies.
Fast-forward three days -- after a whirlwind schedule of sessions, tours and social events, some just for agents – it ended as it began, with glitz and glamour at the closing rainforest-themed luncheon. Under the jungle canopy, the dresses of plana dancers whirled as delegates paid a curtain call to the Rums of Puerto Rico.
© Open Jaw