Barbados, July 8, 2025 – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has officially announced the return of two of its flagship events: the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean, scheduled to take place November 16–18, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort.

As cornerstones of the CHTA's professional development and industry engagement platform, both events aim to bring together hospitality leaders, rising professionals, and top culinary talent from across the Caribbean. The goal: to foster knowledge sharing, promote innovation, and celebrate the rich culture and creativity that define Caribbean tourism.

CHIEF 2025: Innovation, leadership, and actionable strategies

CHIEF, CHTA’s premier educational and networking forum, returns this year under the theme: "Innovating Caribbean Tourism for a Disrupted World: Adapting with Purpose, Leading with People, Planning for Permanence." The agenda will include immersive workshops and skills-building sessions led by influential voices from across the sector.

“From culinary trends to operational strategy, CHIEF equips hospitality professionals with practical tools to grow their businesses and careers,” said Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA CEO.

New this year, CHIEF will feature a Linkages Showcase—a dynamic marketplace designed to connect local and regional vendors with tourism businesses. This initiative supports regional sourcing and collaboration. In partnership with the Global Alliance for Innovation in Tourism (GAIN), the forum will also highlight a wider range of tourism tech solutions and providers.

Taste of the Caribbean: Culinary excellence takes center stage

Running concurrently, Taste of the Caribbean returns with its high-energy competitions, showcasing the flavors, creativity, and talent of the region’s top chefs and mixologists. Competitors will compete for honors in four categories: Caribbean Chef of the Year, Junior Chef, Bartender, and Pastry Chef, gaining valuable recognition and professional growth opportunities.

With these events, CHTA reaffirms its commitment to empowering Caribbean tourism through innovation, talent development, and cultural celebration.