For the first time since its inception, agents are being invited to attend the St. Maarten Annual Regional Trade Show (SMART 2012), May 16-18 at the Radisson Blu Resort, Marina & Spa.
The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) is offering a comprehensive agent package for $399 per person, including registration, airport and trade show transfers, accommodations at participating hotels, an island tour, participation in cocktail receptions, meals (daily breakfast, one lunch and one dinner), taxes and service charges. Participating agencies are subject to qualification by SMART.
SMART 2012 kicks off on Wednesday, May 16 with a welcome reception at 7:30 pm, where delegates have the opportunity to mingle before the first day of business begins. The bulk of the SMART conference will take place on May 17, followed by a farewell party in the evening.
Participating hotels include Alamanda Resort, Esmeralda Hôtel & Resort, Hotel Beach Plaza, La Plantation, Mercure St-Martin & Marina, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Sapphire Beach Club, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino.
Additionally, agents can take advantage of a non-related promotion through which retailers are eligible for a 50-percent discount on published fares (except premium class) to all Caribbean destinations serviced by American Airlines and American Eagle - including St. Maarten - throughout the months of May, June, September and October.
Building on the momentum achieved in recent years, SMART 2012 will focus not only on St. Maarten and St. Martin, it will include representatives from the entire Northeastern Caribbean as tour operators, hoteliers and other stakeholders conduct business that will have significant ramifications for the region. Retail travel agents will be welcomed into the fold for the first time since the conference's inception, providing a unique opportunity to build special relationships with major players in the region as well as familiarize themselves with the island and its neighbors.
Travel agents can register online for SMART 2012 at www.shta.com/smart after requesting a username and password from [email protected].
Visit www.shta.com/smart and www.VacationStMaarten.com.