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PLANNER COMMENTS: Association Meetings in the Caribbean

     The sand and surf which are an added bonus for many Caribbean meetings were the chief draw for the DAN Festival, an annual event of the Divers Alert Network (DAN), the world's largest association of recreational divers. The conference, planned by executive vice president Dan Orr, was held at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa in September 2000 and is scheduled again for the same property in September 2001. The Durham, North Carolina-based group hosts the annual conference to promote safe recreational diving.

Along with the excellent dive conditions off the island of Providenciales, another factor in selection of the venue was its all-inclusive offerings. "The diving and the all inclusive package were very attractive. With the all inclusive package, it makes your decisions very easy: just have a good time," says Orr. Along with diving, attendees had the opportunity to meet with industry experts and underwater photographers. Participants could take part in an underwater photo contest and enjoy a film festival in the evening hours.     

Many groups looking to really get away from it all are turning to smaller islands, once more difficult to reach. The Carbonated Beverage Institute, an association of independent Coca-Cola bottlers, met at Carenage Bay on Canouan, an island in the Grenadines. American Airlines recently instituted service to this island, making access far easier than in previous years.

The January meeting of the group of 30 participants, some with family members, was planned by Jacqueline Hoyt, president of Hoyt and Associates in Woodstock, Vermont. For the past 50 years, the private organization has met twice a year, and Hoyt's challenge was to find a location that lived up to group expectations. "The group is very particular, but they loved this. The location is great."

Along with enjoying golf at the resort, participants took part in several watersports activities. "The group did a sunset cruise and a one-day catamaran sail to Tobago Cays," says Hoyt. "Both were wonderful."

The weather also received rave reviews. "In January, everyone's cold and wants to get away." With the combination of excellent weather, a luxurious venue, and free time activities, Hoyt notes that the group gave the destination the true vote of approval. "They want to go back again."