Destination Caribbean & Islands

ABOUT DESTINATION CARIBBEAN + ISLANDS

An attendee favorite, Destination Caribbean + Islands, brings together the most highly qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Caribbean. Attendees participate in one-on-one prescheduled appointments with strongly vetted buyers, gain industry insights from our guest speakers, and network with this exclusive group. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, the meetings industry’s most important — and most influential — source of research, analysis, media and marketing services in the United States and worldwide.

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Learn

Learn from, and be inspired by, our guest speakers who will provide targeted education specific to your needs as a meeting and incentive planner.

Connect

Connect with premier suppliers from the Caribbean during prescheduled one-on-one business appointments and unique experiential activities.

Enjoy

All qualified buyers will be fully hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, including airfare allowance, accommodation, meals, and planned activities.

2025 Slideshow

SPEAKERS

Neen James

Leadership strategist; author of "Exceptional Experiences"

Neen James is a leadership strategist, keynote speaker and the author of Exceptional Experiences. James grew up in Australia, where she learned that small details could transform ordinary moments into something memorable. She empowers leaders and teams to prioritize what matters most so they can create exceptional client experiences that drive results and foster lasting connections; her work centers on helping leaders connect more deeply—with their teams, their clients, and their vision. Originally from Australia, James now resides in Tampa, Fla.

HOSTED BUYERS

ALL QUALIFIED BUYERS WILL BE FULLY HOSTED BY NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP, INCLUDING AIRFARE ALLOWANCE, ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES.

Those who are selected to attend will participate in:

• Two productive days of prescheduled one-to-one meetings with suppliers from the Caribbean
• Insightful educational presentations from inspiring speakers
• Great meals, receptions, and numerous networking opportunities with other elite buyers

To learn more why past buyers say this event is the best networking and education experience in the incentive industry, please contact Cindy Binder at [email protected].

SUPPLIER INFO

For exhibitor package rates and premium sponsorship opportunities, please contact your business development director or Claudia Davila.

HOTEL

Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Buyers

We will make reservations for you.

Suppliers

Preferred rates for supplier accommodations are available.

2026 EXHIBITORS

AIC Hotel Group
Aimbridge Hospitality
Amstar DMC
Aruba Tourism Authority
Atlantis Paradise Island
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts
Barcelo Hotels
Breathless Punta Resort & Spa
Cartagena de Indias CVB
Casa de Campo
Carnival Cruise Lines
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
Club Med Resorts
Connect DMC
Corendon Hotels & Resorts
Courtyard By Marriott Nassau Downtown | Junkanoo Beach
Curacao Tourist Board
Dominican Republic Tourism
Dominicana DMC
Dreams La Romana & Secrets la Romana
ECO Destination
Embassy Suites By Hilton Aruba
H10 Hotels
Hilton All Inclusive Resort Tulum & Hilton All Inclusive Resort Cancun
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
Hilton Barbados Resort
Hoteles Xcaret
Iberostar Resorts
InterContinental Cartagena de Indias by IHG
InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Jamaica Tourist Board
JW Marriott Sint Maartin Beach Resort
Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort + Spa
Lopesan Hotels
Margaritaville Beach Resort
Maui Jim
Melia Hotels International
Mice Spots DMC
Nassau & Paradise Island
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oasis Hotels & Resorts
Opal Collection Hotels
Palladium Hotel Group
Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica
Puntacana Resort & Club
Royalton Hotels & Resorts
Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, South Caicos
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
Secrets & Dreams Esmeralda Punta Cana
Secrets Cap Cana
Secrets Royal Beach
Secrets Tides Punta Cana
SLS Playa Mujeres
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive
Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort

AGENDA

Sunday August 2
Monday August 3
Tuesday August 4
Wednesday August 5

Sunday, August 2

All Day

Planner & Supplier Hotel Check-In

3:30pm – 5:30pm

Registration

3:30pm – 5:30pm

Supplier tabletop set-up (optional)

5:30pm – 6:30pm

Planner Site Inspection of Host Hotel

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Welcome Reception

Monday, August 3

7:00am – 7:45am

Breakfast

7:45am – 9:00am

Opening Remarks & Educational Session: "Creating Exceptional Experiences for Events"

Presented by Neen James

More Detail

In this interactive keynote, Neen James shares how event professionals can apply her Exceptional Experience Elevation framework to create experiences attendees and clients will remember, talk about and rebook. James will reveal how event professionals and partners can identify what their attendees and clients truly value; how to build moments of delight into every element of an event, from the first inquiry to the post-event follow-up, and how to turn satisfied clients into vocal advocates who will repeat their business and refer you to peers. She notes that “this isn't about bigger budgets or fancier venues; it's about intention, attention, and the small details that make people feel seen, heard, and valued, whether they're planning a 50-person board retreat or a 5000-person conference."

Among the takeaways from this session are:

How to apply the “five luxury levers” — entice, invite, excite, delight and ignite) to client relationships and event design
Practical ways to create “Champagne moments” that turn ordinary touchpoints into extraordinary ones, regardless of budget
Why exceptional experiences are about mindset, not cost

9:15am – 12:15pm

One on One Appointments (11 w/ break at 10:30am)

12:30pm

Planners & Suppliers departure for Lunch

12:45pm – 3:00pm

Site Inspection & Lunch

3:15 – 4:00pm

Activities

6:00pm

Departure for Dinner

6:30pm – 9:00pm

Site Inspection & Dinner

Tuesday, August 4

7:30am – 8:15am

Breakfast

8:15am – 9:15am

Educational Session

9:30am – 12:30pm

One on One Appointments (11 w/ break at 10:45am)

1:00pm

Departure for Lunch

1:25pm - 3:00pm

Site inspection & Lunch

3:00pm – 5:30pm

Afternoon Sponsored Activities (advance sign-up required)

6:30pm

Departures for Dinner

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Closing Dinner

Wednesday, August 5

Departures throughout the day

CONTACT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR:

Buyers Contact

Cindy Binder

Manager of Buyer Development

[email protected]

Suppliers Contact

Claudia Davila

Business Development Director

[email protected]

Event Logistics Contact

Rita Bergman

Meetings & Events Manager

[email protected]