Welcome once again to Chairman’s Corner, my regular update on the activities of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. For this issue I am pleased to introduce our first Board of Directors. We should all appreciate the commitment these individuals are making to Bermuda and our tourism industry. I am delighted to make special mention of our international members, Allison Reid and Earl Graves who will bring enormous international knowledge and perspective to our deliberations.

This is a very distinguished group and I look forward to working with them to develop creative and innovative ways to make Bermuda a more attractive and competitive destination.

Along with myself, the Board members are:

Phil Barnett, Director and President, Island Restaurant Group — In addition to extensive experience in the hospitality and leisure industry through ownership of well-known Bermudian restaurants, Mr. Barnett serves as a board member on the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Everson, President of PE Consultants Ltd. — Mr. Everson has extensive experience in investment banking, fund management, private equity and private banking. He serves as a non-executive director for Delphi Management Ltd. and Shell Trust Bermuda Limited and a board member for the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Bermuda International Companies.

Earl “Butch” Graves, President & CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE — Mr. Graves is responsible for the strategic positioning and overall profitability of BLACK ENTERPRISE, for which he has also worked extensively in sales and marketing. The corporation includes magazine publishing, television production, digital media and business and lifestyle events.

Jessica Mello, Director of Consulting Services, Deloitte Bermuda — Ms. Mello is experienced in economic planning, feasibility analysis and strategy for tourism destinations, including visitor attractions, mixed-use destination resorts, entertainment retail districts, sporting destinations, iconic structures, waterfronts and infrastructure. She is also a member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Economics Committee and the Executive Steering Committee leading the transition to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of Real Estate, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. — Ms. Reid has extensive experience in hospitality and finance and is responsible for the growth of Starwood Hotels throughout North America. She is a member of the management board of EquityCo, LLC and OpBiz LLC and also serves as Vice President of Investor Relations at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Paul Telford, Hotel Manager at Rosewood Tucker’s Point — Mr. Telford has 13 years of international management experience in luxury hotels in the United States, Mexico, Hawaii and Bermuda. Mr. Telford oversees hotel operations at Tucker’s Point and has held multiple leadership roles in all areas of hotel operations for leading luxury hotel brands.

Allison Towlson, Regional Executive and Chief Operating Officer for ACE — Ms. Towlson has an extensive background in underwriting operations, corporate reporting, training and development and marketing in the insurance industry. She serves as a Chairperson for the Insurance Development Council, Board Member for the Bermuda Business Development Corporation, associate for the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), a mentor under the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies and member of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurance (ABIR) working committee on contract certainty.

The Board of Directors is responsible for assisting the Chairperson in the activities of the BTA including attendance at board meetings, developing committees as needed and advising on operational and strategic matters of the organisation.

As outlined in the plan, the Bermuda Tourism Authority will work on eight strategic objectives. These objectives are to build a unique and competitive positioning; reduce seasonality and create new demand; rebalance air versus cruise; increase visitor spending; improve quality throughout the tourism value chain; build pride and create jobs; business development and attract investment; build economic, social and environmental sustainability. These objectives will be the focus of the new Board and the entire Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Along with the team at the BTA, the Board will work together with the tourism sector on these objectives to revitalise the tourism industry. We all have a stake in its success and we will have great success if we all work together.

Please take a look at our website, www.bermudatourism.com, to keep up-to-date on everything that is happening at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of our team at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, to wish everyone a joyful Christmas with family and friends. The year 2014 is poised to be a significant one for Bermuda as we work together to drive our Island’s re-emergence as a world-class tourism destination. I look forward to it!