CTO’s Riley named one of most influential people in the meetings industry 

The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) says Secretary General Hugh Riley has been named as one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry by Successful Meetings, a leading multi-platform brand for multi-tasking meeting planners.

In its annual list of impact influencers, CTO said Successful Meetings lists Riley as one of the top advocates on industry issues.

“An accompanying profile credits the secretary general for keeping the Caribbean at the forefront of travellers’ minds with emphasis on actions taken by CTO on behalf of member countries impacted by last year’s hurricanes,” the statement said.

It said the honour, detailed in the July issue of Successful Meetings, “recognised 25 people who are standout contributors to the betterment of the meetings industry,” as selected by editors of Northstar Meetings Group, a leading B2B information and marketing solutions company serving all sections of the business meetings, events and incentives market, as well as industry luminaries, previous honourees and a poll of the magazine’s readership.

CTO said the magazine highlights the organization’s rapid assessment of the storms’ impact and the communications efforts which forged closer relationships between member countries, media partners and private sector organisations.

The organisation said it focuses on the secretary general’s role in communicating the region’s message, noting: “CTO used the spotlight from the hurricane coverage to educate the public on the geography and cultures of the Caribbean, and now, on the islands’ comeback.”

The publication also focuses on Riley’s current work developing the Rhythm Never Stops marketing campaign to communicate the region’s vibrancy in key tourism markets, according to CTO.

“I am honoured to be recognised by Successful Meetings among the list of leaders making a difference in the meetings industry,” the Barbadian-born Riley said. “The sector is a critical component of our tourism product in the Caribbean and we are proud of the role the CTO has played in this region’s success.

“We also recognise that there is still significant growth potential and will continue to engage our partners and the meetings industry on behalf of our member countries,” he added. (CMC)