BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE staging of the 34th edition of the Haynes Smith Talented Teen Pageant was considered to be the most financially challenging one in years, and the Committee has indicated that a number of changes have to be made to ensure the staging of the annual prestigious event.
According to a press release from the organisers, “The 2013 Pageant was the most challenging one that we have had to face in our many years of organizing this event. Some weeks before the event took place, the Committee, for the first time in its history, had to seriously consider the continued staging of the event and possible cancellation of the 34th edition of the annual show. The environment in 2013 in so many ways was simply not conducive to staging an event of this magnitude.”
The committee further explained that the main contributor to the adverse conditions was the withdrawal of telecommunications giant, Digicel, as their main and titled sponsor.
“Digicel notified the committee just shy of 4 weeks before the event that they were reducing their usual sponsorship by two thirds. This late development forced the show’s committee to seriously consider the staging of the 2013 event. After much contemplation the committee opted to pursue the staging of the event and thus had to engage creative finance procurement in addition to aggressive cost cutting, all while maintaining the usually high standard of the show which we all have become accustomed to,” the release said.
Another massive setback, according to the group, were activities staged around the same time with the pageant, “in which humongous free events were held before and during our show, including, and especially Party Central, Inception fete, and others”.
“It is impossible to hold a successful event such as our queen show, with an admission fee of $50.00Ec, when at the same time some other high profile events are being staged for free, with several big bands and popular artistes, just around the corner from the venue. It must be noted and made abundantly clear that the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant Committee has no problem with the other events or their organisers, but feel that they must be managed properly within the parameters of the Carnival season and Carnival programme accordingly,” the release stated.
The group also stated that, usually, whenever a major Carnival show is being staged and especially if it is a part of the regular Carnival schedule, no other event is held during the same time.
The group added that the new situation had seriously affected their gate receipts and would serve to render their event a financial loss.
In spite of all these challenges, the pageant committee said that the related activities of the competition were exceptional, including the welcome reception hosted by the Hon. Richard Skerritt and the Ministry of Tourism, and the dinners and luncheons hosted by the Governor General, Mr. Konris Maynard and, of course, the annual luncheon hosted by the Parliamentary Representative, the Hon. Sam Condor.
“To all of them we say a big thank you. However, we are putting the public on notice that in light of the changing circumstances, the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant will not be staged under the same arrangements as it did last year and indeed has been over the previous years.
“Again, we say many thanks to our faithful and loyal friends, supporters and patrons. We must express gratitude to our hardworking Committee Members including Akila Nisbett, Wallis ‘Wally’ Wilkin, Alex Riley, Carol Phillip, Avril Edwards, Camech Stevens, Diana Williams-Humphreys, Harold Maynard, John Webster, Jesse Astaphan and Leonie Browne, Show Auditors Kristal and Cherisse Gardiner, Tuffrida Stewart and all members of the Haynes Smith Youth Club,” the committee stated.
Meanwhile, the show’s Organising Committee will undergo some future changes which will soon be announced.
These changes will ensure the show’s continued relevance, vibrancy and sustainability. It will also ensure that the show remains the most prestigious of its kind in the Caribbean and arguably in the world.
