In celebration of CTO’s 50th anniversary, this year’s Ball will be enhanced by a “golden celebration” where 50 individuals will be honoured for their contributions to Caribbean tourism.

Of the 50 honourees, 33 were selected by CTO member countries for their superior achievements in their own nations.  These individuals are from the public and private sectors and have been involved in various areas of the tourism industry.

A panel of distinguished persons from CTO’s membership and respected regional and international institutions selected an additional 17 individuals who have made special contributions to the cause of regional tourism.
 

CTO will welcome back Brenda Blackmon, a notable television news anchor for WWOR’s UPN 9 News, to host the famed gala for the second consecutive year as Master of Ceremonies.

UPN 9, WWOR-TV, is the flagship station of the United Paramount Network and can be seen in the New York/New Jersey area.

Ms. Blackmon joined the UPN 9, WWOR news team in 1990 as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor, and has since become the primary anchor for UPN 9 NEWS.

The CTO Ball, which concludes Caribbean Week, is a black-tie gala event that features the best of Caribbean entertainment and food.  This year, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires will provide the musical entertainment for the night.  A ska and calypso sensation that began in 1956, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires have since become one of the best known Caribbean bands in the world.  The group first made a name for themselves as the back-up band for Harry Belafonte and later found fame on the set of the James Bond film, “Dr. No.”  A 14-piece outfit whose rhythmic sounds are known and adored throughout the Caribbean, Lee’s group has generated wide public excitement worldwide, backing artistes including Prince Buster, Eric Morris and Peter Tosh.

Adding even more exhilaration to this year’s Ball, the Royal Barbados Police Force Band will be in New York to participate in the Flag Ceremony and Awards Presentation.

For more information about the Ball, log-on to www.doitcaribbean.com/stateball.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization is the region’s tourism development agency comprised of 32 member governments and a myriad of private sector companies with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto.

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