BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE 2014 version of the Carambola White Sands, dubbed “Las Vegas Edition”, was deemed a success by its sponsors and organisers.
The event, which was the official ‘Cool Down Party’ of the St. Kitts Music Festival and endorsed by the Tourism Ministry, was sponsored by LIME, Carib Brewery, St. Kienjoyedtts Music Festival, St. Kitts and Nevis/Anguilla National Bank, iRep SKN, Opus Fines Wine and Spirit, Island Purified Water, IC Jewelers, Express Events, St. Kitts Marriot Resort and SKNVibes.
Speaking with SKNVibes at the Cool Down Party, co-owner of the Carambola Beach Bar Daislyn Sharpe said that the event has brought a lot of recognition to the establishment since it started three years ago.
“We think that it brings a lot of recognition to the Carambola Beach Club and we also think that it adds tremendously to what is offered during the Music Festival weekend. We have a fantastic Music Festive event, and then on Sunday (Jun 29) we complement that with a very exciting and dynamic cool down party which includes fabulous quality entertainment as well as a very well organised swim suit event.”
Meanwhile, representatives of two sponsors, who also spoke with SKNVibes, had reaffirmed their companies’ brand with the event.
LIME’s Marketing Manager Kevin Edwards and Carib Brewery’s Manager Junior D’Abreau have both declared that they would be supporting the event in “2015 and beyond”.
“The reason why we partnered with White Sands is because we see this as being a way of giving back to the community and, by extension, the Federation. We want to take the event to the next level and make it an enjoyable event over the festive weekend. That’s the reason why we keep partnering and sponsoring White Sands year after year…as long as there is a White Sand I’m sure,” D’Abreau said.
LIME’s Marketing Manager echoed similar sentiments towards the event.
“Well, definitely we will be partnering next year and there would be no question about that. White Sands is an integral part of Music Festival and we are a major partner and sponsor of Music Festival. It’s just a perfect matching with the cool down event. We hyped it up during Music Fest and now it’s time to cool it down.”
Speaking to issues on the business end at Carambola Beach Bar, Sharpe noted that like any other company within the Federation, they too face daily challenges in their operations.
“I would imagine that we face everyday challenges that any business faces…establishing itself, maintaining quality and standards and hoping to continuously improve on what is offered,” Sharp said.
To this end, the company will be closing its doors in September to undertake maintenance work and conducting training sessions for its staff.
According to Sharpe, those plans are expected to enhance service for the upcoming peak period in the latter months of 2014.
“The season has been kind to the hospitality industry in St. Kitts and Nevis. We hope and anticipate that the forthcoming season would be even better. Plans are to close for a few weeks during September to do some refurbishment and renovations, and then we bring in our staff for training in the hopes of entering into the season with renewed vigor, exciting products and a great attitude for what is to come.”
The co-owner said that patrons visiting the Beach Club after the hurricane season could expect a number of additions to the establishment’s service and menu.
