IIC Caribbean Chapter meeting – The Future of Caribbean Tourism: Harnessing Innovation, Connectivity, and Sustainability

Dr. Michelle Allen (formerly Michelle McLeod) serves as the Assistant Provost of Tourism and Hospitality at University of The Bahamas in Nassau. With over 35 years of tourism industry experience, her expert research focuses on island tourism, destination development, policy and knowledge networks, and service productivity. In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Allen is a long-standing researcher with the Caribbean Open Institute. Her global contributions include serving as a Country Researcher for both the Open Data and Global Data Barometers, as well as the first and second editions of the Global Index for Responsible Artificial Intelligence.

Guy L. Malone is the Chief Executive Officer at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (the Commission).

Mr. Malone began his career working with the government of the Virgin Islands in 1979 and has been working in the telecommunications sector for the past forty(40) years. He worked in various capacities before his appointment as CEO, a position he has held consecutively for the past eight(8) years, from 2012 to present.

Mr. Malone is a graduate of Brail brook College of Technology in Bristol England, where he was awarded a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Communications Electronic Engineering. He also holds a certificate in Telecommunication Management from the University of Southern California (USC), as well as several other certificates in the field of telecommunications.

Internationally, Mr. Malone serves on the Regulatory Board of the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR) as an Executive Board member. He is also a member of Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organization (CANTO), as well as also being an executive member of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)from 2010 until 2020.

Mr. Malone is very dedicated to giving back to his community and supports several charitable organizations. He is a sports enthusiast and an avid basketball fan and was the President of the local basketball Federation from 2007 –2019. Mr. Malone is currently an executive member of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC).

Justin develops the editorial direction and content of the FCCA’s initiatives—including digital and print publications such as Travel & Cruise, the official magazine of the global cruise industry, and its e-newsletter—while projecting the Association’s and industry’s voice and building awareness and relationships through multifaceted, multimedia strategies. He also works with partner destinations and stakeholders to maximize their benefits from FCCA’s resources and influential audiences.

Before joining FCCA, Justin wrote freelance articles for various publications; earned a BA in English from Florida State University and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College; and taught at Miami-Dade College.

Kevin C. Smith is a dedicated servant and leader of the British Virgin Islands. His career spans military service, public administration, communications, and energy, with a sustained focus on modernization, community development, and service.

Highlights include:

• Served in the United States Army developing skills in leadership, discipline, resilience, teamwork, complex problem solving and working under pressure.
• Served as the BVI Postmaster General modernizing the BVI postal service.
• Served as the Director of Trade, then leadership roles in telecommunications with Digicel as Commercial & Operations Director.
• Served as Chief Operations Officer at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and subsequently CEO of Digicel.
• Served as Special Advisor to the three separate Premier’s of the Virgin Islands
• Currently he serves as Procurement and Inventory Manager at BVI Electricity Corporation.
• Currently he serves on Board of Directors , at BVI Airport Authority and member of the MSME grant committee for small business.

Kevin’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to public service, strategic leadership, and the betterment of the BVI community.

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

Mario Aguirre serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships & Membership for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), where he leads the planning, coordination, and execution of the Association’s membership programs and Strategic Destination Development Program. In this role, he works closely with FCCA Strategic Destination Partners and Platinum Members to strengthen relationships, maximize membership value, and support destinations and organizations in achieving their cruise industry objectives.

Before joining the FCCA, Mario spent 17 years with the Honduras Tourism Board as North American Director. During his tenure, he played a key role in developing and implementing the country’s cruise tourism strategy while overseeing its participation in the FCCA Platinum Membership Program as Honduras’ Platinum Delegate. He also led initiatives related to air service development, travel trade marketing, advertising, public relations, and destination promotion throughout the North American market.

Having participated in numerous FCCA conferences, summits, and industry events from both the destination and association perspectives, Mario brings extensive firsthand knowledge of the cruise industry and a deep understanding of the needs of cruise destinations and stakeholders across the Caribbean and Latin America.