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DIVERSE OFFERINGS MAKE BVI TOP MEETING CHOICE BY ZYAN AVRAHAM The British Virgin Islands don't just wel- come guests—they host with legacy. This Caribbean collective of more than 50 islands, cays, and islets offers a rare kind of intimacy: quiet coves, first-class resorts, and cultural depth that meets business travelers with intention and grace. For planners seeking experiences that balance world-class amenities with ancestral con- nection, the BVI provides the big screen. Tortola, the largest island and capital of the BVI, serves as the meeting hub. The Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town offers flexible event space for con- ferences, trade shows, and community- led programming, while hotels such as the Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort and Long Bay Beach Resort provide luxury accommodations with private meeting suites. Ferry systems and charter flights connect island to island with effi- ciency,turning your itinerary into a hand- selected constellation of experiences. The territory's African heritage remains visible in both its monuments and its mindset. The Sunday Morning Well in Road Town marks where enslaved people once gathered to hear of emancipation. Today, it holds walking tours and outdoor ceremonies, inviting planners to embed historical awareness into modern pro- grams. Cultural institutions like the Virgin Islands Folk Museum and the BVI Maritime Museum offer planners venues where memory lives beside modernity— ideal for lectures, symposiums, or recep- tions that carry inspiration. The BVI's culinary scene is both elevat- ed and earthy. Black-owned restaurants like D'CoalPot and Red Rock Restaurant & Bar serve locally sourced dishes—grilled wahoo, fungi, and conch prepared with techniques passed down through genera- tions. For corporate groups and delega- tions, beachfront dining setups offer more than ambiance—they create space for conversation rooted in tropical flavor. Guana Island, a privately owned sanc- tuary, offers complete buyouts for plan- ners seeking privacy without pretension. With seven beaches and mountaintop yoga decks, it accommodates wellness retreats and creative intensives alike. Pair that with eco-hiking trails on Sage Mountain or snorkeling tours off Norman Island, and the BVI shifts from escape to engagement—an archipelago where every itinerary feels both intimate and infi- nite. Virgin Gorda's Rosewood Little Dix Bay and Scrub Island Resort are frequently selected for retreats and incentive trips, offering on-site event management, spa wellness integration, and secluded confer- ence villas that cater to decision-makers seeking discretion without compromise. Each island, from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, holds its own personality—perfect for team-building excursions, storytelling nights, or oceanfront communion organ- ized with local speakers and artisans. Transportation between islands is both accessible and scenic. Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island welcomes private charters and regional flights, while ferry services like Speedy's and Native Son link Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada with rhythm and reliability. Helicopter transfers are also available for high-end groups prioritizing speed and exposition. Access is streamlined. Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island is a gateway for regional flights, while ferry service from St. Thomas and charter options make inter-island travel smooth. The government's support of business travel and cultural tourism ensures that planning in the BVI comes with both logistics and partnership on your side.This isn't a place you pass through—it's a destination that invites you to participate. Events held here aren't just remembered—they're revered. Whether launching a philanthropic forum, hosting a leadership retreat, or honoring generational legacy, the British Virgin Islands turn professional gatherings into unforgettable moments—set in the serenity of the archipelago's soulful embrace. AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Long Bay Beach Resort 150 Little Dix Bay, A Rosewood Resort 81 Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert beach Resort 19 Sebastian's On The Beach 35 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Maria's By The Sea Hotel Total Meeting Space 2,100 sq. ft. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? The British Virgin Islands (800) 835-8530 www.bvitourism.com Maria's By The Sea Hotel in Tortola B R I T I S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S photo credit: Visiy Jamaica B M & T ••• May/June 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 71