St Maarten: CARIBAVIA: An Unconference Regular attendee Kathryn B. Creedy highlights why this meet up is so unique.

CARIBAVIA, now in its sixth year, was once again an intimate gathering where, according to one participant, the 60-ish participants walk in as strangers but become a tight family, excitedly contributing their talents and ideas to improving Caribbean airlift. This year was no exception.

The conference has grown over the years, usually with many more attendees than those able to travel in this second pandemic year.

The entire conference is designed around achieving the vision of Cdr. Bud Slabbaert and airing some of the issues which hinder economic and aviation development.

“I see developing an aviation resource center with workshops and webinars for periodic events to connect islanders with experts from around the world and vice versa,” Slabbaert told the assembled participants at the start of the meeting. “I’d like to see that develop into a research and development center for aviation and I’d like to see an institute of higher learning.”

His vision also includes creating an air traffic control and aviation training center all geared toward creating on-island and in-region opportunities for young people.

Slabbaert’s energy and talent for collecting the right individuals in the room defies the usual lecture model. Speakers do not make presentations so much as they prompt conversations that build on each other in a crescendo of ideas on what needs to be done and how to do it.

Slabbaert, who founded and runs the conference, brings together Caribbean locals and international aviation experts for a free exchange of ideas on improving airlift, to provide locals with resources they may not have and, illustrating symbiotic relationships developed, to provide important connections for those wishing to do businesses in the region.

The ‘Unconference’

CARIBAVIA is unlike any aviation meeting, and, in fact, one participant called it an unconference.

During networking breaks and on the sidelines pockets of people can be seen in deep conversation excitedly exchanging ideas, not just business cards. Over meals, they strategize on how to bring those ideas to fruition. In the end, all stakeholders - government officials, local and international business leaders, important tourism officials, journalists - sync to move the needle on some of the region’s intractable airlift and workforce problems and connect international business leaders to those in the region.

Opening the conference was Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Ludmilla de Weever who reiterated the importance of improving airlift.

“It is an essential component of our growth strategy,” she said. “A thriving aviation sector is indispensable. It is a catalyst for keeping us attractive especially in the post-covid era. There is a direct link between aviation and job growth and the Government of St. Maarten recognizes the importance of this aviation summit.”

De Weever reported June saw the largest number of arrivals with 22 compared with the previous week’s 19. Arrivals from the US were up 108% year on year and SXM was now at 85% of 2019 arrivals.

International Flavour

This year’s event included speakers from France, Italy, the UK and the US, including the island’s newest airline. Leading US Low Cost Carrier Frontier Airlines promises to upend America’s legacy carrier service by dramatically reducing fares to as little as $200-300 round trip. Such fares invariably stimulate new traffic bringing new visitors to St. Maarten and its surrounding islands given the nearly $1,000 roundtrip fares we’ve traditionally seen.

Why CARIBAVIA Is So Important

Addressing Caribbean airlift is important, according to Bryan Winter, Managing Counsel, Aero Attorney Group.

“Five of the top 20 countries in Latin America are in the Caribbean,” he said. “Many of the countries in Latin America most dependent on tourism are in the Caribbean. Aruba is the most tourism dependent destination out of all the countries for which data are available - with 89% of its GDP tourism related.

“From the Bahamas in the North to the Latin American coast, it is only 811 miles so it’s not as big as you’d think,” he continued. “California is 840 miles long but within the Caribbean are 25 countries plus dependencies of France, Netherlands, the UK or the US. There are 17 aviation authorities along with the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority. This makes doing business a challenge. And the line is often blurred between what is handled at the local level or by the home countries and there is no way to determine if you are talking to the right people.”

CARIBAVIA helps attendees navigate all these challenges. Now, in my fifth year, I am more convinced than ever it is the most productive and interesting conference I attend. Indeed, I see it as essential for developing the relationships needed to get anything accomplished either for islanders or those wanting to do business in the region.

Yes, aviation businesses could probably make the same contacts, but at CARIBAVIA you not only meet government officials and local and international aviation business leaders, you create close relationships, which is what get things done.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 24th June 2021 | Issue #611

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