Cayman Islands Marketing Professionals Association Marks a Decade of Excellence with AI Conference, Workshops, and Awards Ceremony

The marketing world gathered in full force on November 2-3 for workshops, and a conference to delve into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a conference that left no stone unturned in exploring its implications on the industry. Over two insightful days, esteemed speakers dived deep into the realms of AI, discussing the need for its integration into the workplace, upskilling employees, and embracing AI’s collaborative potential. Following the conference was an awards ceremony to highlight the top players in the marketing industry.

Speakers at the event included Hon. André Ebanks, Minister of Investment, Innovation, and Social Development; along with industry luminaries such as Danielle Watler, Out of the Blu; Hollie Whitelocke, Cayman Islands Government; Jeff Abracen, Vice President of Creative Strategy at BAM Strategy in Montreal Canada; Searlina D’Amico, Director of Marketing, BG Wealth Group; and a student panel sponsored by the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI).

The event also featured a panel discussion on the evolution of innovation with Jason Butcher, Investor / Mentor & Advisor; Elizabeth Charles, Entrepreneur & Innovation Speaker; and Antoine Tardif, Unite.AI; as well as engaging talks by Greg Kihlström, The Agile Brand Podcast and the Innovation Economy Podcast; Aditi Joshi, AI Program Lead; Amy McGrath, AirVu Media; and Ron Johnson, Blueprint Creative.

The UCCI student panel added a fresh perspective, sharing their experiences with AI tools in education. They explored how AI has transformed their learning methods and discussed how educators are adapting to this technological evolution. Throughout the conference, the prevailing theme emphasized the importance of collaborative work with AI, whether in education or the workplace. Upskilling and educating employees to harness the power of AI were recurrent topics, ensuring that no one becomes obsolete in the rapidly evolving landscape.

AI is one of the upcoming advancements that will transform people’s roles—not remove their jobs, but rather improve and elevate them—because the roles have changed and all the parts have changed, according to Jason Butcher. Aditi Joshi, discussed the unintended consequences of AI, she emphasized a collaborative approach in her speech, stating the importance of aligning AI systems with human values, global recognized norms, transparency, and accountability.

Additionally, this conference celebrated the remarkable 10th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Marketing Professionals Association (CIMPA), serving as an occasion to commend exceptional contributions and achievements within the industry. The awards encompassed ten distinct categories, recognizing excellence in various aspects of the field: Brand of the Year, App or Website of the Year, Video of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Community Impact of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Creative Professional of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Agency of the Year, and, the inaugural Pioneer Award that spotlights outstanding excellence in the marketing community.

- BRAND OF THE YEAR - Blue Iguana Gin, Grand Cayman Distillery

- APP OF THE YEAR - Cayman Good Taste, Acorn Media

- VIDEO OF THE YEAR - “Making Dreams Come True this Christmas,” Health City Cayman Islands

- CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR - Valentine’s Day, Logic

- COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD - Cancer Doesn’t Wait, Health City Cayman Islands

- RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - Stephanie Christian, Tower

- CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Carolina Valdivieso, Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

- MARKETER OF THE YEAR - Alyssa Christian, Logic

- AGENCY OF THE YEAR - Tower

- PIONEER AWARD - Lynne Byles, Managing Director of Tower

These awards recognized the exceptional efforts and innovative contributions of individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted the marketing industry. The ceremony celebrated a decade of achievements and set the stage for more milestones in the years to come.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your presence at the workshop, conference, and awards. Your participation has been instrumental in supporting our scholarship award winner, Jaxon Bodden, who is currently pursuing his education as a Graphic Designer at Lynn University. It’s moments like these that underscore the significance of nurturing our local up-and-coming marketers and providing them with opportunities to thrive. Together, we are not just attending conferences; we are shaping the future for talented individuals like Jaxon and the growth of our industry,” Hollie Whitelocke, CIMPA Chair.

For more information about the conference and CIMPA membership, please visit www.cimpa.ky .

Thank you to our sponsors UCCI, Water Authority Cayman, Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, Cayman National Bank, Janet Jarchow Photography and Caribbean Creations for their support.