The Road to the fourth edition of the St. Maarten Innovations, Initiatives and Industries Link-Up Event (SMILE) will be opened with a digital keynote on October 27th, 2022, by James Ellsmoor of Island Innovations, a well-known advocate regarding island sustainability. Ellsmoor is also the first announced keynote of the next live edition of SMILE, slated for October 27-28, 2023.
Ellsmoor was recognized in 2017 on the Forbes 30 under 30 Energy List. He is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Island Innovations, a social enterprise and digital media company that holds the annual Virtual Island Summit. Island Innovations facilitates connections between island stakeholders and sustainable development practitioners across the globe to share knowledge and promote collaboration. By creating a support network, the platform tries to smooth the way for developing innovative solutions to drive economic performance, ensure political stability and promote good governance, which improves the social and environmental conditions within island communities.
SMILE’s main organizers SHTA, 360º of Innovation and Antonio Media are elated to receive Mr. Ellsmoor as a speaker, as he operates at the junction of innovation and sustainability, the core themes of the now annual event, with a dedicated focus to islands contexts. The SMILE event was established in 2018 with the aim to highlight innovative and sustainable companies and projects and to facilitate business to business networking in the Caribbean region and beyond. This year’s edition ‘SMILE III’ was visited by 129 companies, NGOs and governmental organizations, an increase of 45% compared to the second Edition in 2019.
During the online session on October 27th, 2022, between 11am and 12pm Sint Maarten time, James Ellsmoor will share his insights on how to make your organization future proof, both on- and offline. To register please go to https://hopin.com/events/road-to-smile-2023-pre-event.
Main organizer the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the sponsors, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, University of St. Martin, Grant Thornton, Atlas Risk Solutions, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations for their involvement in the 2022 event and for continuously making this event a success!
Those organizations wanting to take part in either pre-events or the main event or as a supporter can be subscribed without cost to the SMILE mailing list via events@shta.com or by calling +1721- 5420108. Information will be continuously updated at www.smilesintmaarten.com.
