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B M & T ••• January/February 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31 AREA GUIDES J A M A I C A CONFERENCE ATTENDEES CAN MEET IN PARADISE & GET BUSINESS TAKEN CARE OF TOO BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Jamaica is the largest English-speak- ing Caribbean island, and the third largest in the region. Jamaica's 4,411 square miles of terrain boasts towering mountain ranges, expanses of lush vegetation as well as long stretches of clear, sandy beaches. The island is divided into three coun- ties – Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey – which are subdivided into 14 parishes. With the islands' beautiful scenery and lush habitat it is no wonder meeting plan- ners and leisure travelers alike are flock- ing to this Caribbean region to vacate and book conferences. The Montego Bay Convention Centre has combined world-class facilities, with cutting edge design, giving you and your guest's unparalleled space, flexibility and service in this vibrant Caribbean Island. The Centre is only a 15-minute drive from the Sangster International Airport and is also centrally located near several of Montego Bay's world-class resorts. The Centre has five Conference Rooms, three Caucus Rooms, Reception Foyer, Dining Block, several Delegates Lounges and Offices. Each conference room is equipped with simultaneous translation facilities for six languages, Conference Room #1, the largest, capable of accom- modating up to 1,200 persons has an observers' gallery, public and press galleries. The centre also proudly boasts the pres- ence of industry veteran Dittie Guise as it general manager. Be sure to reach out to her if you are thinking about bringing your conference to Jamaica. In Jamaica business can be conduct- ed in more settings than just in a confer- ence style room. The island flourishes with numerous options of golf courses offering conference attendees a pleasur- able approach at doing business on the beach. One of the finest golf courses in the Caribbean, the Sandals Golf & Country Club is an ideal Ocho Rios Jamaica golf vacation spot, which stretches out over a rolling landscape with sweeping views of the sea and mountains. Narrow fairways have been resurfaced with Bermuda grass while miniscule, dropoff greens have been rebuilt with Tifdwarf Bermuda grass for a beautifully manicured course. Guests staying at any of the six Sandals Resorts in Jamaica are welcome to play at this most scenic Country Club. Attendees can enjoy beach activities as well as shopping and the bustling nightlife. The guided tours the islands offer are also highly suggested. Experience the real Jamaica in Chukka's "Zebra Stripped Safari Jeeps". Drive up through the famous "Fern Gully," getting a glimpse of the 200 different ferns. Have a view of the beautiful mountains and val- leys and see lush nature. Guides will take you up to the highest viewpoint, "Murphy Hill" (2000 feet above sea level). U.S. Citizens traveling to and from Jamaica must present a valid passport when leaving and or re-entering the United States. All visitors are required to travel with a return ticket or onward tick- et for entry into Jamaica. There are three international airports in Jamaica conveniently located across the island. They are Sangster Inter- national Airport in Montego Bay, Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica's capital city and the Ian Fleming International Airport in picturesque Ocho Rios. DITTIE GUISE • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Sunset Jamaica Grande All Inclusive 730 Ritz Carlton Jamaica 427 Half Moon 197 Hilton Rose Hall 488 Iberostar Resort 319 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Montego Bay Convention Centre Total Exhibit Space 52,213 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 9 Jamaica Conference Centre Total Exhibit Space 19,800 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 2 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Jamaica 800-JAMAICA www.visitjamaica.com Rose Hall Resort & Spa