Preparations for the St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) May 16-18 are moving swiftly along and organisers anticipate that this once little North Easter Caribbean tradeshow will grow even bigger this year as it is hosted in Radisson Blu Resort, Marina and Spa.
Organisers encourage local and regional tourism related businesses to get on board with SMART and use the tradeshow as a vehicle to drum up business for the 2012/2013 high season and cement partnerships for the future. The event will also give them an opportunity to see what other destinations offer and to seek partnerships with vacation wholesalers and the holiday division of airlines.
SMART is an annually collaboration of St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, L’Office du Tourisme de St. Martin, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and L’Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin. It brings together destination representatives from throughout primarily, but not limited to the North Eastern Caribbean, hoteliers and activities directors with vacation wholesalers and airline representatives.
St. Maarten Tourism Director May Ling Chun encourages for local and regional hoteliers, excursions operators "to register early and make this a productive conference."
SHTA Executive Project Manager Robert Dubourcq said more stakeholders on the Dutch and French sides are signing on to SMART this year. This will give the tradeshow an even stronger foundation. He urged more stakeholders, including regional ones, to get on board by registering or as sponsors.
Through a special promotion in Europe, SMART organisers expect an influx from of vacation wholesalers from that region. At least one Dutch wholesaler signed up already for SMART.
South American vacation planners and airlines are showing interest again in the tradeshow. Copa Airline is offering discounted fares for SMART attendees.
Online registration for SMART is in effect. New applicants can obtain a username and password from SHTA office by emailing smart@shta.com. For more information also visit: http://www.shta.com/smart.