Left: Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and his wife, Carmen, spend quality time together. Right: St Kitts and Nevis's minister of tourism, Ricky Skerritt, and his wife, Ellena, groove to some great soca music. - photos by Janet Silvera Photo

WESTERN BUREAU:

Not even the temperamental mid-Atlantic weather that plagued New York last week could derail the rhythm, sound and exhilaration that both heralded and culminated the invasion of Caribbean Week of June 8-12.

The weeklong affair filled with celebrity chef demonstrations, a Caribbean wedding transforming Manhattan into a cultural melting pot of seminars and entertainment met the goal of raising awareness of the region as a prime destination for tri-state area travel.

The week reached fever pitch last Friday at the much-sought-after US$500-per-person 36th Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the fabulous Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.

The elegant black-tie gala featured the finest in Caribbean food and entertainment. It was held under the auspices of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Foundation, that provides scholarships and study grants to Caribbean students and industry personnel wishing to pursue studies in tourism, hospitality and language training. It was emceed by the Today Show's Jamaican-born Jenna Wolfe.

Attended by high-ranking CTO and tourism officials, in addition to leading members of the Caribbean diaspora, the ball presented some notable individuals from the Caribbean community with three distinguished awards. These included: Denzil Douglas, recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award and Karl and Faye Rodney of The New York Carib News with the Excellence Award.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Communications officer at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and Caribbean Media Services' Johnson Johnrose (left) has a great time with David Cumberbatch.

From left: Deputy director of tourism, North America, Donnie Dawson, NBC Today Show's Jenna Wolfe, the Jamaica Tourist Board's Ruth West and Travel and Leisure's Deborah Russell dance the night away.

Left: Minister of tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, John Maginley, dances with Patricia Long at the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball. Right: Deputy Director of Tourism David Shields and his wife, Carol, would not leave the dance floor and they danced the night away.

President of the Portfolio Marketing Group, Noel Mignott, fêtes one of his many Caribbean clients, director of tourism of Anguilla, Merlyn Rogers, at the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York last Friday.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation's (CTO) Gail Henry (left) and Carol Haye (right) and the American Foundation for UWI's Annmarie Grant creating waves on the dance floor at the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York last Friday.