The JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa will be the venue for the 18th edition of the St. Maarten / St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow, set for June 22–26, 2026, organizers announced this week.
The decision marks the first time the region’s largest tourism trade event will be held at the 200-room luxury resort on Dawn Beach, which opened in 2024. The news was shared by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, on behalf of the binational committee that includes the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, the Office du Tourisme, and the Club du Tourisme.
“We are elated to host this prestigious and regionally renowned tradeshow for its 18th edition,” said Dan Szydlowski, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the JW Marriott. “We are confident that our location—surrounded by lush greenery and soft white sands—together with our convention center, will provide an inspiring setting for tourism professionals from across the northeastern Caribbean. We also believe it will be a voyage of discovery for travel agents, tour operators, and journalists, encouraging them and their clients to return for both business and leisure.”
Registration and accommodation bookings for attendees are now open through the SMART 2026 page on shta.com/smart.
The St. Maarten / St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow has become the largest tourism business event in the northeastern Caribbean, bringing together regional tourism boards, hotels, tour operators, and travel professionals for networking, contracting, and cultural exchange. The 2025 edition drew participants from 29 countries, and organizers expect even greater turnout in 2026 as the island continues to expand its airlift and hospitality infrastructure.
“Given the variety of new routes and recent airlift growth, we believe SMART 2026 can be one of the most successful and productive editions in its history,” said May-Ling Chun of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal. “We look forward to collaborating with the JW Marriott’s professional meetings team and encourage travel agents, tour operators, and airlines to book their spots starting today.”
Within the first week of October alone, 42 booths were reserved — a sign of growing interest in what has become one of the Caribbean’s key business-to-business tourism events, officials said.
Over more than 25 years, SMART has evolved beyond a traditional tradeshow. It now serves as a showcase of St. Maarten’s binational hospitality sector, blending business appointments with culinary experiences, networking sessions, and cultural events that highlight both sides of the island.
Organizers say the move to JW Marriott reflects SMART’s continued growth and the island’s readiness to host larger, more globally visible meetings in the years ahead.
Caitlin Sullivan
2025-11-04 21:59:00