Boutique-style CARIBAVIA Summit and Retreat builds a greater impact

Large-scale conferences have been around for quite a while now. Because of their scale, these events leave little room for meaningful networking opportunities, tailored experiences, and learnings that come mainly from peer mentorship and the exchange between driven business professionals.

What makes CARIBAVIA different?

On the contrary, the boutique-style CARIBAVIA Summit and Retreat sets the tone of community building in a small setting where everyone feels included and comfortable to connect. For this reason, it’s not a surprise that it has gained increasing popularity. Due to its size, it offers more intimate engagements for those who truly want to make an impact and aim for greater leadership. CARIBAVIA stands for more core and less mass. Or somewhat differently phrased, we don't count the people we may reach, we want to reach the people who count.

Cdr. Bud Slabbaert.

After this year’s event an objective observer commented: “CARIBAVIA for me is such a different event. Something went quite magical this year. You’ve not only created a community, but almost a family. A family or thinkers and people doing things and pushing the industry to get better solving issues.” CARIBAVIA has indeed become an event of which participants afterwards say that they want to return next year because they loved it. There is a distinction between ‘they had to’ and ‘they loved it’. The latter means that the investment to participate was worth it for attendees, speakers and sponsors alike.

Vision meets Leadership

A vision is the catalyst to raise aspirations for what can become, and to release energies to get there. CARIBAVIA brings together key stakeholders from industry, academia, government and international organizations to exchange best practices, research, lessons learned, solutions for challenges and new opportunities. Yet, mind that a conference is a gathering of humans. Behind the titles, as important they may sound and the apparels, as fancy as they may look, there are humans who wish to communicate.

The psychology behind conferences is deeply rooted in the human desire for connection, recognition, and growth. By understanding and addressing the psychological factors, more engaging and effective sessions can be created. CARIBAVIA intends to further the human effect in an inspiring comfortable environment. If participants feel equal and less formal, they will communicate much easier, and in a less artificial, but a more friendly natural manner. They will get a better impression of their new potential business allies. Clever leadership will recognize vision from whoever it comes when it is not presented like an astrological act but rather is a down-to-earth realistic display of intelligence.

What’s in it for me?

CARIBAVIA is perceived to be a win-win situation for all participants, be it attendees, sponsors, speakers, and media representatives. Therefore, all aspects that will bring results and solutions are considered. The event is formatted and shaped towards the current needs and the future opportunities in the Caribbean region, which is a dynamic process of applying foresight. CARIBAVIA showcases the breadth of existing technologies, ongoing research and development, as well as commercial and non-commercial activities.

When the level of communication between all stakeholders is heightened, the issues are amplified, and the exploration of new ways and means is intensified for the improvement of air transportation and tourism which will have a positive impact on economies and communities of the Caribbean region and beyond.

Contrary to the belief that sponsorships is expensive, it can actually save money. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIF) states that it costs 62% less to close a lead generated from a trade show than one that originated in the field. Conference sponsorship allows for engaging with a highly targeted audience as it is focused on a specific industry, niche, or area of interest, meaning that the attendees are already aligned with the sponsor’s business goals and offerings.

The industry must communicate with existing and potential clients. A boutique-style event like the CARIBAVIA Summit and Retreat provides a better chance of success in that regard. CARIBAVIA also attracts high-caliber talents, some of whom may be looking to advance their careers when an opportunity arises.

Dates and locations

The 8th annual CARIBAVIA will be held June 9th-11th, 2026. The location is not determined yet. There are several options but eventually the venue that will be chosen shall be the most advantageous for attendees, speakers and sponsors and shall meet the standards for a unique environment in a region that is famous for exotic tropical beauty and that will guarantee an enlightening experience.

Through the three-day Summit and Retreat, one will be engulfed into a distinct world of leadership. CARIBAVIA includes a curated group of the best of the best on the meaningful side of airlift which is the common denominator for stakeholders of aviation, tourism, and investments. There will be moments that spark revolutionary ideas and the groundwork for the future will take place. Although there are still about 10 months to go already inquiries are coming in for presentation slots and for opportunities to get exposure.

It has also already been determined that the 9th annual CARIBAVIA will be held June 8th-10th, 2027, in Antigua & Barbuda. The rationale for this early pronouncement was that the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Investments who visited this year’s event, had made a presentation, attended all sessions, and appeared fully engaged. He commented after his 4-day participation that there should be more conferences of this kind.

With thanks to: St Barth Tourism Committee, St.Barth Airport, Sherkane de Haenen, Sunset Hotel, TradeWind Aviation, St Barth Commuter, St. Barth Executive | Photography: Umberto Vallini.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 7th August 2025 | Issue #807