Cayman Spirits boss Nelson Dilbert took over as president of the Chamber of Commerce Thursday, promising to do his part to support small businesses as the islands’ economy recovers in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Several speakers at the Chamber of Commerce AGM cited the coming year as the first fully pandemic-free period for businesses and a chance to focus on growing the economy and creating jobs.
Dilbert, the co-owner of Cayman Spirits Company which produces Seven Fathoms Rum among other brands, said he was confident about the future after a bleak couple of years.
“The past few years have been tough for many small and tourism-related businesses, including my own. However, with tourism arrivals expected to return to some level of normalcy soon, it’s great news for our members,” he said.
Tourism started to return to pre-pandemic levels late last year and is expected to continue its resurgence in the coming year. Dilbert said he would work with government to help promote new routes and communicate challenges for businesses through continued dialogue with caucus.
Dilbert, whose spirits business now exports Cayman-made products all over the world, said he also hoped to use his own story to inspire other Caymanians to become entrepreneurs.
He succeeds Health City’s Shomari Scott as president of the Chamber. In his outgoing address, Scott focused on the opportunity to move on from the pandemic.
“Even though I am the third consecutive Chamber president who has had to grapple with the impacts of the pandemic, we look forward to this year tether free, towards the re-ignition of the prosperity engine,” he said.
Scott, who will remain involved with the Chamber council, said the aim was to help shape the vision for the islands, “as we grapple with population growth, sustainable development and educating our youth to partake of this economic miracle”.
He added, “We also have current burning issues such as waste management, horrendous traffic issues and other framework complements such as minimum wage, consumer protection, and re-imagining planning and labour.”
The AGM held at the Marriott resort on Thursday also included elections of new councillors and awards to Chamber supporters, financial contributors and volunteers.
Chamber leadership: 2023
Nelson Dilbert, President
Joanne Lawson, President-Elect
Omari Corbin, Vice President
Dave Johnston, Secretary
Colin Robinson, Treasurer
Heather Halsey
Steve Bramwell
Kendra Foster
Matthew Adam
Dan DeFinis
Sarah Hobbs
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