Jamaica Diaspora Conference Sells Out in Montego Bay as Virtual Access Opens

The 11th biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference is now booked beyond its seating limit, with more than 1,200 participants slated to gather at the Montego Bay Convention Centre between June 14 and 18.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, said the response has been strong among Jamaicans locally and overseas. Speaking with JIS News, he said, “At this point, we are over capacity. The conference tickets were all sold out as of [June 11] at 2:00 p.m. We still have so many persons, including members of the diaspora and Jamaicans here at home, who want to be in the room.”

The State Minister said the rush has also affected lodging in Montego Bay. Hotels have already been fully taken up, causing some visitors to make arrangements at Airbnb units and private villas.

According to Mr. Terrelonge, the delegates coming to the conference reflect several areas of national and international interest, among them investment, education, agriculture, artificial intelligence and business development. He said the mix of participants shows how the conference has become a meaningful space for partnership-building and economic prospects.

“The Jamaica Diaspora Conference is one of those places where the movers and shakers across different industries all get to be in the same room. They get to network [and] share ideas,” Mr. Terrelonge said. He added that “this is where real opportunity for growth lies, even more so as we think about building a more resilient Jamaica”.

Persons who will not be able to join the event at the venue can still take part online. Virtual tickets are now being offered through the conference website, giving access to the full three-day programme.

“Register online and you will have full access to all the plenary sessions, all the decisions that are being taken within the room, all the information you need about the future of Jamaica’s growth and development and of course, the investment opportunities that are presented to you as well,” the State Minister said.

Mr. Terrelonge thanked Jamaicans in the diaspora and at home for continuing to back the work of rebuilding the country. “This promises to be a most exciting, engaging, and spectacular conference as we work together to rebuild a more resilient Jamaica, while also providing meaningful opportunities for diasporans to invest in Jamaica – destination trade and investment,” he added.