TelEm Group Shareholder representative, Prime Minister Mrs. Sarah Wescott-Williams (3rd from left 2nd row) was present to witness the signing of a new two-year agreement between local telecommunication provider, TelEm Group, represented by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, and the Sint Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) represented by president Michael Granger. Also pictured from left to right 2nd row are St. Maarten to the World Marketing consultant, Rolando Brison, TelEm Group Chief Commercial Officer (CFO) Mr. Brian Mingo and TelEm group Manager, Sales & Marketing Mr. Elime van der Weerd.
A new two-year sponsorship agreement was signed between TelEm Group and the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) Friday securing much-needed funds for St. Maarten’s premier cultural event and island-wide promotion for St. Maarten’s main telecommunication provider.
The agreement was signed at TelEm Group’s main building on Pond Island in the presence of the government-owned company’s Shareholder Representative, Mrs. Sarah Wescott-Williams. Also present were members of the SCDF board, managers and personnel from TelEm Group’s Commercial department and representative of local marketing and promotion company, St. Maarten to the World, Rolando Brison.
"We began with baby steps last year with TelEm Group’s involvement with SCDF and we are happy that this year the company has taken a significant leap forward in partnering with the carnival foundation. We are extremely happy to have them on board. The discussions in coming to this agreement has been open and honest and we could not be happier with this agreement, which is a win, win, win, win for everyone involved," said SCDF President, Mike Granger in thanking all the Management and staff of TelEm Group who were involved in securing the agreement.
TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO, Mrs. Helma Etnel, thanked the Shareholder Representative for being present and members of her own team, among them, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Mr. Brian Mingo, Manager, Marketing and Sales, Mr. Emile van der Weerd, and Marketing Officer, Cheryl Rismay for working on the agreement.
"We are very happy with the contract in which both parties have tried hard to come to a win, win situation where the local telecommunication company can show its support for culture and the general community interest in this manner. We have always supported events that are cultural and important for St. Maarten. We assisted with the building of the stage when the Festival Village was built and each year we have supported in one way or another towards the biggest cultural event for St. Maarten, said Mrs. Etnel.
"As the local-owned company, we are from the locals and we are happy that with the SCDF we can bring carnival to a higher level and we are happy to be part of that program," said Mrs. Etnel.
Shortly before the new agreement was signed, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Mr. Brian Mingo outlined its contents saying that it provides sponsorship funding for carnival events, and also great opportunities for the promotion and marketing of TelEm Group products and services throughout the carnival season.
"The general public and customers of TelEm Group can expect a more visible presence of the company, especially during local shows, and local events," said Mr. Mingo.
"As a main sponsor for Carnival we have reached a milestone the relationship between our local company with the SCDF, and we are even more hopeful about how the relationship will develop moving forward in the interest of the island’s premier cultural event," said Mr. Mingo.
Shareholder Representative, Mrs. Sarah Wescott-Williams took the opportunity to congratulate both parties for signing their agreement in the interest of St. Maarten and for having reached this far.
"The government of St. Maarten is a major sponsor of carnival because we believe in the culture that it promotes as our own thing, growing from strength to strength here on St. Maarten.
"I want to thank TelEm for this contribution to the SCDF and for the way the company has collaborated with government in terms of sponsorship of some other events for the community of St. Maarten.
"It is important to be able to do these kind of things and for TelEm to continue to do this, naturally the company also needs the support of the community," said the Shareholder Representative.
TelEm Group says it will be ramping up its own carnival marketing program during the coming weeks during which there will also be many promotions and special carnival offers for customers across the entire range of telecommunication services offered by the company.
As a result of the new agreement TelEm group will have "Titled" sponsorship of all the local carnival shows and events, except for the Senior Calypso finals.
"The company is local and it has shown that it is local by going after the local events. The international shows are one thing, but we always tell people that there is a great need to also support our local events and with TelEm on board and with a string of local shows we expect better attendance to local events this year," commented the SCDF president, Mr. Granger.
The SCDF president began the signing ceremony by introducing the St. Maarten to the World company as a young, new, St. Maarten-based, marketing and public relations firm that the SCDF has contracted to assist with its strategic marketing plan for this carnival year.
"Rolando and his team are forward-thinkers and with them we will elevate the level of carnival with young innovative St. Maarteners. They are key to helping us prepare our proposals to the TelEm Group," said Mr. Granger.
"It is our intention this year to engage many corporate sponsors to make Carnival a community of interest with the business sector as an important and involved part of that community," said the SCDF president.
"We want our festival to grow and compete with some of the larger festivals in the South of the region and to get it to that level we need the involvement and cooperation of everyone," continued Mr. Granger.