Jamaica Health & Wellness Tourism Conference - Nov. 16-17, 2023

We are excited to deliver more than just an event—we want you to have an unforgettable experience. Please see the link to the livestream:

About the Health & Wellness Tourism Conference

Health and wellness tourism is a rapidly growing sector and Jamaica, as a leading tourist destination, is well positioned to benefit from conferences and expos that showcase our diverse range of expertise and wellness experiences. The Jamaica Health and Wellness tourism Conference is organized by the Tourism Linkages Network, a department of the Tourism Enhancement Fund over 2 days to strengthen linkages between the health and wellness sector and other productive sectors of the economy particularly agriculture and manufacturing while promoting and showcasing Jamaica’s unique health and wellness tourism offerings.

The Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference brings together leaders in the health and wellness tourism industry from Jamaica and around the world for one of the most important conferences on Jamaica’s tourism schedule.

The conference gathers industry leadership to forge a plan for the new futures and facilitates presentations and panel discussions across the  thematic areas of wellness travel experiences, nutrition, medical tourism, health and wellness tourism value chain, wellness in the community, spas, wellness music, and investing in wellness.

Agenda

  HOST:
Kamila McDonald
  9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION

Wake Up to Wellness Activities on Screen

  9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
WELCOME

Prayer
Welcome
Remarks

  10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS

"JAMAICA: THE GARDEN OF EDEN FOR THE WELLNESS CONSCIOUS TRAVELER"

Hon. Edmund Barlett, CD, MP, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
  10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
CUTTING EDGE STATISTICS IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Dr. Andre McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, SureTime Emergency Medical Services

  11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
WALK THROUGH HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM TRADE SHOW FLOOR

 

  11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
"INVESTING IN A NEW ERA OF WELLNESS"

Dr. David Walcot, Managing Partner, Novamed

  12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Standardization & Certification in the Wellness Tourism Value Chain

Moderator: Dr. Aisha Bailey, Innovation Consultant and Founder of MLR Technology and Innovation
Mrs. Julia Bonner-Douett, Director, Standards Division, Bureau of Standards Jamaica
Mrs. Carolyn Rose-Miler, Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Scientific Research Council
Mr. Robin Russell, President, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association
Mrs. Deanne Keating-Campbell, Director of Quality and Training, Tourism Product Development Company

  2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
PRESENTATION

Senator Dr. Saphire Longmore, M.B.B.S, DM Consultant Psychiatrist, University Hospital of the West Indies

  2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Community-led Tourism – A Growing Trend That Holds Value: Past, Present and Future

Moderator: Ms. Mikisha Silvera, Destination Manager, Tourism Product Development Company
Mr. Omar Sweeney, Managing Director, Jamaica Social Investment Fund, CD, PE
Mr. David Walters, Executive Director, Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust
Senator Dr. Saphire Longmore, M.B.B.S, DM Consultant Psychiatrist, University Hospital of the West Indies
Mr. Jason Henzell, OD Chairman, Jakes Hotel
Mr. Theo Chambers, Co-Founder, Temple of Inner Peace & The Caribbean Tourism and Wellness Conference

  3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
CLOSING
  4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM AWARDS

 

 

  HOST:
Kamila McDonald
  9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Prayer - Mrs. Carolyn McDonald Riley, Director, Tourism Linkages Network

WAKE UP TO WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
  9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Welcome

  9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Digital Health & Wellness Care

Moderator: Professor, Lloyd Waller (CD), Professor of Digital Transformation Policy & Governance, UWI, Mona
Dr. Che Bowen, Chief Executive Officer, MD Link
Mr. Ative Ennis, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Digital Officer at MTE Group
Dr. Shakira Maxwell, Gender Policy and Health, University of the West Indies (UWI)
Mr. Aldain Reid, Chief Executive Officer, First Responders Technology Limited
Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund

  10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
PRESENTATION: Understanding The Wellness Traveller

Presenter: Mrs. Nicola Madden Greig, President, Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA)

  11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: A Fitness Focus in Wellness Tourism

Moderator: Ms. Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board
Ms. Diane Ellis, Sponsorship Director, Reggae Marathon and Director , Running Events JA
Ms. Kamila McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, The WellFit Club
Dr. Andre McDonald, SureTime Emergency Medical Services
Author, Moon Jamaica and Founder, Moon Hill Jamaica Villas & Tours

  12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
LUNCH
  1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Agricultural Linkages to Wellness Tourism

Moderator: Mrs. Carolyn McDonald-Riley, Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Tourism Enhancement Fund
Mr. Wayne Cummings, Chair, Agriculture Technical Working Group
Ms. Candice Constantine, Coordinator, AgriLinkages Exchange Centre (ALEX)
Mr. Adrian Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, ARN Farm

  2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: The Blue Ocean Strategy - Supporting an Inclusive, Sustainable & Resilient Wellness Tourism Product

Moderator: Mr. David Dobson, Chief Technical Director Ministry of Tourism
Mr. Damion Gordon, Senior Research Fellow, Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis, Management Centre
Ms. Carol Straw, Manager, Tourism & Linkages, Jamaica Promotions Corporation
Dr. Chanelle Fingal-Robinson, Social Development Specialist at the World Bank

 

 
  4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
CLOSING
 
Industry Professionals and Experts

Our Speakers

Targeted Industries

Who Should Attend?

spa

Spas

spa

Hotel/Hospitality

Health and Wellness

spa

Academia

spa

Tourism

spa

Government

spa

Manufactures

spa

Tour Operator

Benefits

Why Attend?

Explore new and existing opportunities in health and wellness tourism available across Jamaica.

Opportunities to do business with local suppliers of health and wellness products, services and/or experiences as part of our Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference Tradeshow.

Engage with a distinguished lineup of experts in the health and wellness tourism industry.

Register to join us online or in person at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Inaugural Excellence in Health & Wellness Tourism Awards Ceremony

As part of the 5th Annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Conference, we will host an Excellence in Health & Wellness Tourism Awards ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the Montego Bay Convention Centre Courtyard. This ceremony will recognize stakeholders in the Health & Wellness Tourism sector across seven (7) categories:

 

  • Outstanding Wellness Resort 
  • Outstanding Spa/Wellness Facility 
  • Innovation in Health & Wellness Tourism 
  • Outstanding contribution to Education and Training in Wellness Tourism 
  • Wellness Travel Blogger/Social Media influencer 
  • Outstanding Wellness Retreat/ Event 
  • Wellness Tourism Industry Pioneer

The Montego Bay Convention Centre

The Home of the Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference

The Montego Bay Convention Centre is the Caribbean’s newest and finest offering to the convention industry. The Centre is conveniently located along the Elegant Corridor of Rose Hall, Montego Bay. It is close to over 4,000 luxury hotel rooms, a full service medical facility, local activities, 5 major shopping centres, 3 world-championship golf courses, restaurants, attractions and only 15 minutes drive from the Sangster International Airport. Opened in 2011 Montego Bay Convention Centre serves as the perfect venue for conventions, trade shows, banquets and theatre-style conferences.

This spectacular facility sits on approximately 35 acres of land and boasts a superior list of amenities and features from wireless internet access to video-conferencing capabilities. The Centre provides conference attendees with advanced audio and video control systems.

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