The Annual General Meeting of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) was held at Frangipani Beach Resort on April 26. It was attended by a good cross section of the 148 members and special invited guests Terry Alloway, Head of the Governor’s Office and Superintendent Proctor from the Royal Anguilla Police Force.

AHTA Board of Directors

A comprehensive report on the first annual membership survey was given by Melinda Goddard. It gave feedback from members on a number of items including the priorities of members and the performance of the AHTA in the past year. Recommendations were given to enhance the strengths of the organization and to address the weaknesses. These are to be followed up by the Board of Directors and used for the advancement of the Association.

Attendees at the AHTA AGM

President Sherille Hughes gave a report on activities for the year which she described as a period of stability, sustainability and growth for the Association and the first full year for Trudy Nixon as the Executive Director. She reported 26 new members into the Association, the largest number ever for one year. Through involvement in the steering committee for the National Community College the Association was instrumental in the setting up and delivering of Anguilla’s first island hospitality training in a designated training facility. Other achievements include establishing the National Culinary team, sending out regular newsletters, helping to organize the Tourism Gala, and publishing Dream Anguilla for the fourth time and distributing 45,000 copies in Anguilla and overseas. She also spoke about the marketing and promotional activities of the AHTA and the Association’s official website that gives members an opportunity to be featured at no cost.

She said there has been a close working relationship with the Anguilla Tourist Board, the Government, the Caribbean Hotel Association, the Royal Anguilla Police Service, the Governor’s Office, the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “As President I would like to stress that the Association is only as strong as its membership and I encourage all of its members to get involved where you can,” Hughes stressed.

Executive Director Trudy Nixon introduced her new full time assistant Gilda Gumbs Samuel who will manage the membership subscriptions, the day to day membership requirements and retention, and will organize special events for the AHTA. She spoke of the need to revise the strategic direction of the Association, to have more community outreach, a wider membership involvement and a committed Board of Directors. She asked members to join task force committees to move the Association forward. These include security, environment, community outreach, villa or culinary specialization, training, membership drive, and group advertising.

An election was held and three new Directors were chosen. They are Catherine Orchard, Karle Connor and Delroy Lake. They join the Executive members Fred Thompson, Mimi Gratton, Sherille Hughes, Mark Romney, Stephane Zaharia and Janine Edwards. At their first meeting a President will be elected along with a secretary and treasurer. Nixon is an ex officio member of the Board.

Members were invited to ask questions and there was a lively session centred around crime and the current problems with counterfeit money. Superintendent Proctor was able to answer the queries and assure members that the Police are taking action. Cocktails were served on the terrace following the meeting.

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