Miami, United States, is set to host the CMEx Leadership Awards 2025 ceremony. Organized by the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), the event will bring together distinguished leaders, cultural icons, tourism executives, and community champions from across the region and the diaspora.
The highlight of this year's ceremony will be the presentation of the CMEx Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Baltron Bethel, recognized as one of the Caribbean's most prominent tourism visionaries and a national icon of The Bahamas. Sir Baltron holds the distinction of being the first and longest-serving Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas, whose influence has shaped regional tourism policy and development.
The 2025 awards will honor a select group of individuals whose leadership drives tourism, culture, and development in the region. Among the honorees are:
• Carole Alexis (Martinique) – Choreographer and artistic director. • Dave Chang (Carnival Cruise Line) – Senior Vice President of Consumer Sales. • May-Ling Chun (Sint Maarten) – Director of Tourism. • Ronella Croes (Aruba Tourism Authority) – Executive Director. • Laura Davidson (LDPR) – CEO and founder. • Muryad de Bruin (Curaçao) – Director General of the Tourism Office. • Cathleen Decker (The Decker/Royal Agency) – Co-founder. • Loreto Duffy-Mayers (Barbados) – Tourism and Sustainability Expert. • Monique Hamaty-Simmonds (Tortuga Rum Company Ltd.) – CEO. • Clarisa Jiménez (Puerto Rico) – President and CEO of the Hotel and Tourism Association. • Luce Hodge-Smith (British Virgin Islands) – Minister of Tourism. • Janelle Hopkin (Grenada) – President and CEO of Spice Island Beach Resort. • Vonulrick “Von” Martin (Caribbeana Communications Inc.) – Radio host and producer. • Shomari Scott (Health City Cayman Islands) – Commercial Director. • Marcus Simmonds (Tortuga International Holdings Ltd.) – CEO.
The awardees will be joined by a notable list of regional and global leaders, emphasizing the event's significance to the Caribbean community. Confirmed guests include Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), and Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism of The Bahamas.
The evening will feature a cultural performance by Bahamian singer and interpreter Simmone Bowe, known for her artistry across genres including jazz, reggae, R&B, and gospel.
According to Bevan Springer, President of CMEx, these honorees "embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean."
