JAMAICA ANNOUNCES DIANA WINTERS AS 2023 EDITH BAXTER MEMORIAL AWARD WINNER
Destination Jamaica and Baxter family celebrate Edith Baxter Memorial Award finalists at luncheon event in Toronto
TORONTO, ON – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) honoured the life and legacy of one of Canada’s greatest publishing icons during the 2023 Edith Baxter Memorial Award luncheon hosted at the Toronto Board of Trade on Friday, September 22.
Long-time travel industry representative Diana Winters was named the grand prize winner of the 2023 Edith Baxter Memorial Award, which celebrates individuals who elevate Jamaica within their communities. Winters was recognized for her outstanding efforts in advocating for the destination throughout her professional career and in her humanitarian efforts.
The Edith Baxter Memorial Award judging panel praised Winters for her unwavering support of Jamaica during her time working in the industry as a travel advisor, and in her roles with tour operators and hoteliers. Winters was also extolled for her numerous independent philanthropic initiatives to encourage support for the people of Jamaica, including philanthropic trips for Canadian travel agents to build homes and schools on the island, fundraising for local medical clinics, and a donation drive she personally organized during the pandemic to collect tablets, laptops and other education supplies.
As the grand prize winner of the Edith Baxter Memorial Award, Winters will receive a five-night all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica courtesy of prize sponsors Sandals Resorts and Air Canada Vacations.
Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, JTB; and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, JTB, were among the esteemed guests in attendance at the Edith Baxter Memorial Award gala honouring the finalists and winner of the biennial competition. The memorial award was first established by the JTB and the Baxter family in 2021 in honour of the late founder and editor-in-chief of Baxter Publishing.
“The Edith Baxter Memorial Award rewards outstanding community leaders who use their influence to elevate Jamaica’s tourism offerings and our unique cultural identity in Canada,” noted Minister Bartlett. “Our grand prize winner and all of the award finalists honoured here today represent a range of different professional sectors, but each of these unique individuals are bound together by their shared passion for Jamaica.”
Prominent Jamaican-born writer, speaker and podcaster, Arlene Amitirigala, served as the M.C. for the luncheon and award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Jully Black gave a special performance for the 120 guests in attendance.
Four additional Edith Baxter Memorial Award finalists received trophies of recognition at the event: writer and photographer Ron Fanfair; internationally renowned recording artist Dave McLaughlin; columnist and community mentor Simone Smith; and storyteller, speaker and activist Sandra Whiting.
The short-list and grand prize winner for the 2023 edition of the Edith Baxter Memorial Award were selected by a panel of four judges: Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, JTB; Wendy McClung, Executive Vice President, Baxter Media; Lincoln G. Downer, former Consul General of Jamaica in Toronto; and Kelly Schmitt, President and Co-Founder, Spoiled Agent.
The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) also gave a special presentation of its inaugural Resilience Awards during the luncheon event on September 22. Citations were awarded to seven individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding support of the destination’s tourism recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts in driving Jamaica’s economic growth agenda in Canada.
Based in Jamaica with satellite locations around the world, including George Brown College in Toronto, the GTRCMC is a transformative centre that seeks to safeguard and improve the tourism product in Jamaica and around the world, while also ensuring the sustainability of tourism globally.
Minister Bartlett was joined on stage by Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College, to present the following individuals and organizations with special citations of service on behalf of the GTRCMC: Dr. Pamela Appelt, Mary Bishop, Dr. Mary Ann Chambers, Adoma Patterson, Howard Shearer, Air Canada Vacations and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation.
To learn more about the Edith Baxter Memorial Award, please visit www.edithbaxteraward.com.
For more information about Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com.
SOURCE Jamaica Tourist Board
