The National Bank of Anguilla Limited has entered into a partnership with the Anguilla Tourist Board as the Official Bank of the Tranquillity Jazz Festival over a three-year period and has made an initial donation of US$50,000.

“This relationship is sure to benefit the people of Anguilla by enhancing the island’s main industry of tourism,” said NBA’s Marketing Manager, Pamela Riley, who chaired the ceremony.

Chairman of the Bank, Joseph Norris Payne, made the point that over the years NBA stood out both locally and regionally for its support of the Anguillian community.

L-R: Joseph N. Payne presenting cheque to Mr. John Benjamin

“We have fulfilled the promise made in 1985 when stated in our prospectus that ‘NBA will participate in, and actively support the development of, the economy of Anguilla by providing financial accommodation for housing and industrial development, communications, agriculture, fishing, tourism and personal requirements.’” He also spoke of the bank’s sponsorship of sports, its education scholarship programmes and its contribution to the performing arts through its continued support of the Tranquillity Jazz Festival.

“NBA has supported the Tranquillity Jazz Festival since its inaugural year 2001,” Mr. Payne went on. “My colleagues and I realise the positive impact that this will have on Anguilla and its residents. With tourism being our major industry, any event that lends support to that industry helps to enhance this community in which we as citizens live and in which NBA operates.

“The positive impact on our community is the main reason for NBA’s decision to make a three-year commitment to the Tranquillity Jazz Festival. This commitment for fifty thousand US dollars per annum, will assist the Anguilla Tourism Board with the production costs associated with hosting a festival of such a high caliber.

“We have decided to fully associate this bank with the festival and are extremely proud to be pronounced the Official Bank of the Tranquillity Jazz Festival…On behalf of my fellow Directors I would like to congratulate the Anguilla Tourist Board on the achievement of the 2003 jazz festival and wish them success in the 2004 endeavour.”

Signing ceremony L-R: Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Joseph Payne and John Benjamin

Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, said that in 2002 the Anguilla Government and the Tourist Board retained the services of B.E.T. Event Productions to produce the jazz festival. She stated that the event was embarked upon “out of the need to enhance visitor arrivals for the shoulder period leading up to the start of the winter season.” She pointed out that the aim was to attract jazz lovers and holiday-makers “to a weekend of classy, straight ahead jazz.”

The Tourism Director further stated: “We also saw the event as a marketing tool for the island and to date a number of initiatives to promote the festival have been undertaken: the airing of the post 2003 event and the pre-2004 show on B.E.T. channel, advertising in various publications, radio programmes both in the US and the region. The level of interest and momentum generated in the market is very high.

“With an event of this magnitude, sponsorship is critical. The National Bank of Anguilla recognises the potential of the event and was on board since day one. This morning can be considered a milestone in the life of the Tranquility Jazz Festival because not only has NBA signed on for this year, but a commitment is being made for three years.

“On behalf of the Board and, in particular, my colleagues, Fitzroy Tomlinson and James Connor, who are the drivers behind the organisation of the event, we are grateful for NBA’s confidence and support for this event and for being our partner in this as well other…marketing initiatives.”

Chairman of the Tourist Board, John Benjamin, thanked the National Bank of Anguilla and the Board of Directors for their farsightedness and for understanding the importance of the industry to the national development of Anguilla.

He noted that in order for Anguilla to grow, seeing that tourism was the island’s main industry, it was necessary to improve and market the product and to deliver what was promised to tourists. He applauded NBA for its contribution and for looking beyond the fact that the return benefits were not immediate. He observed that Anguilla was not fully known in the tourism market and pointed to the need for continued publicity. He said that as a result of the contribution by the National Bank and B.E.T., Anguilla was now being featured in ten million homes throughout the United States. “That has to bring some benefits to Anguilla and NBA has made it possible,” he stated, while encouraging other businesses to get involved not for the immediate results but for the long-term interest of the island.

On behalf of the Government of Anguilla and the Tourism Board, he declared National Bank the Official Bank of the Tranquillity Jazz Festival.

The addresses were followed by the signing of the three-year agreement by Mr. Payne on behalf of NBA and Mr. Benjamin on behalf of the Tourist Board. It was witnessed by Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch. After this, Mr. Payne presented a symbolic cheque for US$50,000 to Mr. Benjamin.

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