11th Biennial Diaspora Conference to be most impactful, says Terrelonge

The upcoming 11th Biennial Diaspora Conference is being touted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade as potentially the most impactful since the first was held in 2004, with a number of changes implemented to achieve this.

Alando Terrelonge, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, addressing a town hall meeting to launch the conference in New York on Monday evening, said he was excited about the prospects of the upcoming event, to be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from June 14 to June 18.

“As we prepare for the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, to be hosted at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay under the theme ‘Diaspora Partnerships: Rebuilding a More Climate Resilient Jamaica’, we deliberately selected New York as one of the critical locations to share information about and promote the conference. This town hall represents far more than a meeting; it is a vital space for dialogue, to inspire partnership and progress,” Terrelonge said.

“We are very excited about the prospects this year, having received numerous calls and expressions of interest in this year’s event and, let me say this clearly, you do not want to miss this conference,” he told the gathering at the consulate offices in midtown Manhattan.

Noting that there was a strong diaspora presence at the last conference, where more than 1,100 participants took part, Terrelonge said the context this year is different, and that while the Government recognises that participation might not match the numbers of the last conference, the organisers look forward to focused and far-reaching dialogue on matters of critical importance to Jamaica at this juncture in the nation’s history.

“You can expect dynamic and high-level networking opportunities with fellow Jamaicans from across the globe: leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and change-makers just like you. There will be targeted business and investment forums, giving you direct access to opportunities in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, logistics, technology and the creative industries,” he said.

He said participants would have the chance to engage directly with government leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders, ensuring that their voices are heard and their ideas help shape national priorities.

“Most importantly, this conference is about you being an active partner in building Jamaica’s future. It is about co-creating solutions, strengthening resilience, and unlocking new pathways for growth and development. Whether you are looking to invest, return, mentor, collaborate or simply reconnect, there is a place for you at this conference,” said Terrelonge.

The minister noted that registration for the conference is now open and individuals can register at the early-bird price of US$180 per person.

Further, he said that, so far, four hotels - S-Hotel in Montego Bay, Oceans, Half Moon and Iberostar - are actively collaborating with the conference organisers to offer lower hotel rates to people coming to the conference.

REDEFINING THE EXPERIENCE

The minister said they are working to redefine the conference experience.

“This year, we are taking the conference to the next level with seamless, cashless payments; end-to-end exhibitor management; and smarter point-of-sale solutions designed to make every moment effortless. Delegates, sponsors and exhibitors can look forward to cashless payments powered by Near-field Communication/Radio Frequency Identification (NFC/RFID) wristband pairing at entry, enabling seamless tap-to-pay transactions across all vendors.

“We are also introducing expanded exhibitor management tools alongside a fully integrated electronic point-of-sale system with product catalogues, inventory tracking and order management capabilities,” said the minister.

He said it would now be easier than ever to connect, and stay connected, with fellow delegates.

“A major highlight this year is the launch of the B2B Hub, designed to drive meaningful business connections. Features include AI-powered matchmaking that connects participants based on interests, expertise and goals, a built-in meeting scheduler for seamless one-on-one appointments and real-time communication tools, including event chat, community feeds, and direct messaging. With AiTix Connect, we are making it easier than ever to engage. Simply add your social handles or LinkedIn profile to your registration and attendees can instantly exchange information by pairing their RFID wristband with a mobile device,” he said.

This year, he said, the conference will also introduce a seamless, end-to-end digital portal covering application, booth selection and payment. Delegates will benefit from an interactive floor plan with colour-coded booths, intuitive wayfinding and real-time availability. Each exhibitor will also have a rich digital profile, including contact details, social media links and direct call-to-action options.

Additional engagement features include a digital passport that encourages attendees to explore booths and collect stamps, as well as interactive photo booths with sponsor branding, social sharing and live photo wall displays.

editorial@gleanerjm.com