Record-Breaking Nominations and Scholarship Fundraiser Set New Highs at CIMPA Awards
Grand Cayman, October 21, 2024 — The Cayman Islands Marketing Professionals Association (CIMPA) has once again raised the bar with its 2024 Conference & Gala, ConnectXperience: Icons & Innovators, held October 11-12 at Hotel Indigo. This year’s event, described by attendees as having “soul” and impact, gathered over 150 marketing professionals, stakeholders, and business leaders for two days of high-level networking, learning, celebrating and collaboration.
Hosted by Dane Ramoon, the Conference day kicked off with Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism & Ports, who highlighted the critical role of marketing in positioning Cayman as a global hub for tourism. “The theme of this year’s conference, perfectly reflects the stories behind iconic brands like Visit Cayman Islands and Cayman Airways. These brands have evolved and innovated over the years, becoming pillars of our tourism industry and beloved symbols of Cayman to the world. Their success shows us why marketing, PR, and our creative community are not only essential for tourism but for our entire economy. It’s through their stories—stories we help tell—that industries thrive, businesses grow, and Cayman remains a top destination. And it’s not just about tourism—marketing is the bridge that connects all of Cayman’s industries, driving growth and prosperity across the board.”
Keynote Speakers and Industry Insights
International keynote speakers captivated the audience with presentations that touched on everything from inclusive marketing to leveraging fandoms in branding. Lizette Williams, Fortune 50 Tech Exec, delivered a powerful address on “Making Iconic Brands Relevant”, while Simone Jackson, Global Brand Manager at Spotify, inspired attendees with her talk on “The Labels We Choose,” connecting brands to dedicated fan communities like the Beehive and Swifties. A dynamic communication workshop by Twitch’s Bridget Kyeremateng also gave attendees practical tools to enhance their public speaking skills.
A panel discussion hosted by Kathy Miller of Radio Cayman, featuring industry leaders, including Tripp Donnelly, Publisher of the Cayman Compass, sparked lively conversations about the future of marketing under the theme: “The Influence of Ecosystems on Co-creation and Brand Identity”. In their Fireside Chat, “Scaling With Soul: Two Creatives Grow Their Brands the Human Way,” Searlina D’Amico and Carlos Andrés Gómez shared personal insights on how they built their brands by staying true to their values, emphasizing authenticity, human connection, and purpose-driven growth.
Economic Impact and Future Growth
Beyond professional development, the event contributed to promoting the Cayman Islands as a premier destination for business and tourism. With international speakers and attendees sharing their experiences on social media, the event helped drive awareness of Cayman’s growing reputation as a business hub. According to Minister Bryan, “This conference not only highlights the importance of marketing but also showcases Cayman’s growing potential as a host for large-scale events, enhancing our standing as a top destination for both tourism and commerce.”
Record-Breaking Scholarship and Local Talent Celebrated
The Gala Awards hosted by Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2023 Ileann Powery on October 12, celebrated excellence in the marketing industry. The event also set new records for CIMPA, including a successful raffle that raised more than $2,600 to support future scholarships. One of the event’s key moments was the awarding of the prestigious CIMPA $5K Scholarship to Caymanian student Amber Ebanks. Sponsored by Prentice Panton, owner of Reflections, the scholarship will her marketing education abroad, contributing to the development of Cayman’s creative industries. “Thank you CIMPA for investing in my future as a young, ambitious marketing professional.” Amber said.”
A standout Awards moment was the presentation of the inaugural CIMPA Made in Cayman Award to Tedrick Green for Ted Green Fragrances. Green’s emotional acceptance underscored the event’s theme of creativity and innovation. “It’s an incredible honour to be recognized for something I’ve poured my heart into. This award is a testament to the creative spirit that thrives in Cayman,” he said.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
CIMPA Chairwoman Hollie Whitelocke expressed her excitement over the conference’s success and its potential impact on the local economy and creative sector. “Several business owners told me they now have a deeper understanding of marketing’s value to their companies and the economy overall. Marketing is a vital field that fuels innovation, and it’s exciting to see that message resonating,” she said.
With this year’s event setting new records and generating high praise from attendees, CIMPA has already begun planning for 2025. The association remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of marketers, reinvesting all proceeds from the event into community initiatives and professional development. “We want to ensure that Cayman’s young people see the wealth of opportunity in creative industries. They don’t have to go into finance or accounting albeit great fields — marketing offers a vibrant, impactful career path that supports every sector,” Whitelocke added.
For more information on CIMPA events, membership and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.cimpa.ky.
The 2024 CIMPA Award Winners are:
Agency of the Year Award – Out of the Blu
Brand of the Year Award – HSA
Campaign of the Year Award – ‘Aunt Angie’, CG BritCay
Community Impact of the Year Award – Breast Cancer Foundation
Creative Professional of the Year Award – Delano Myers, AirVu Media
Marketer of the Year Award– Natalie porter, Tortuga Rum Company
Rising Star of the Year Award– Rebecca Walcott-Romany, Health City Cayman Islands
Video of The Year Award– Time Back, DART
Website or App of the Year Award – Hurley’s Marketplace
(INAUGURAL) Made In Cayman Award – Ted Green, Ted Green Fragrances
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, including the Ministry of Tourism & Ports, Ministry of Border Control, Labour and Culture, Reflections, UCCI, Heritage Holdings Development, Caribbean Creations, Janet Jarchow, and Budget Rent-A-Car, for making ConnectXperience a resounding success. Your support is invaluable to the growth of Cayman’s marketing industry!
About Us: CIMPA is a member-based non-profit organisation, currently led by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors. Our mission is to help shape the future of the marketing industry in the Cayman Islands by fostering talent through training and professional development events like the annual ConnectXperience. We host quarterly opportunities to network, learn and give back to the community, while demonstrating the essential role marketing professionals play in driving business success.
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