The Pirates Week office has pulled out a new hidden treasure to make the annual festival of the Cayman Islands is bigger and better than ever – Digicel.
Pirates Week Executive Director Dave Martins, left, with Digicel CEO JD Buckley. Photo: Cliodhna McGowan |
The telecommunications company has signed on in what has been described as a ‘significant’ deal, to make the festival bigger and better.
The three-year deal starts in 2005 and runs through 2007, a press conference at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort heard Wednesday. The actual amount of the sponsorship deal was not disclosed, but was described as the biggest sponsorship package ever done for Pirates Week to date.
‘Although we’ve had sponsorship, we have never had a principal sponsor, so the fact that this has come to pass is historic,’ said Pirates Week Executive Director Dave Martins.
He noted that the operational side of the festival is given funding by government, but every dollar needs to be found for the events side, so sponsorship is critical. The first weekend’s free events cost $100,000 to put on, he explained.
This year Pirates Week begins on 27 October and provides 11 fun-filled days of activity to 6 November.
Digicel’s donation will amount to more ships, a bigger fireworks display, more decorations and more entertainment, including 12 local bands.
In addition to a cash contribution to Pirates Week, with a portion going to each of the heritage days put on by district committees, Digicel will also be mounting its own promotional campaign to increase attention to the festival.
As this year’s celebration marks the first Pirates Week since Hurricane Ivan, Digicel wanted to join forces with the Pirates Week Office to make the national festival bigger and better than ever before, explained Digicel CEO, JD Buckley. He went on to explain how supporting events such as this is important for the country as a whole.
‘The national festival was created partially as a means to help increase tourism, which is greatly needed in this difficult time for the hospitality industry,’ he said.
‘While the landing and parade garner the most attention, the heritage days are when Caymanian history and culture is on display. They are well supported by Caymanians proud of their heritage, as well as residents and tourists seeking to find out more about the traditional Caymanian way of life. We are happy to lend them some additional support,’ he said.
This year, US television stations BET, The Travel Channel and one other will be here filming portions of the event, arranged through the Department of Tourism.
DoT has always supported the event through provision and distribution of brochures, magazine and posters overseas as promotional aids.
Mr. Martins said there has been overseas interest from travel agents who have been inquiring about the event.
The schedule of events includes fireworks, a song contest, the Pirates Landing and street parade, street dances, heritage days in each of the districts, sporting events, a gospel concert and children’s events. Pirates Week is attended by thousands of residents and visitors every year, and has been taking place for the past 28 years.
‘Digicel is gearing up towards a fun packed, family oriented week that is internationally known as ‘an authentic slice of the native Cayman Islands’. It’s a time filled with good natured fun, and a touch of something for everyone. We know that it is the only event of its kind in the Caribbean, and Digicel is proud to be on board to help celebrate the traditional and unique heritage of the Cayman Islands,’ said Mr. Buckley.
The festival is also supported by a range of private sector companies such as Jacques Scott, Cayman Camera, Cayman Airways, Delta Airlines, Marriott and Westin Hotels, Hard Rock Café, Dart Foundation, Cayman Distributors, and Bodden Beverages along with several smaller individual donors.
Related Videos
