CMEx names first 2026 Leadership Laureates

Caribbean Media Exchange has announced seven first-round honorees for its 2026 Leadership Awards, set for Dec. 6 at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area. The event will recognize leaders in tourism, media, sustainability and community development across the Caribbean.

Why it matters: - The CMEx Leadership Awards spotlight people shaping tourism, media, sustainability and community development in the Caribbean. - Proceeds from the Dec. 6 fundraiser support CMEx programs that connect tourism and media professionals and back educational and community initiatives. - The awards bring together tourism executives, government officials, media professionals, community leaders and supporters of sustainable Caribbean development.

What happened: - Caribbean Media Exchange announced the first group of honorees for its 2026 Leadership Awards. - Seven individuals will be recognized at the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6. - The event will be held at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area. - The awards luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The details: - The first group of honorees includes Anne Kalosh, Carmen Portela, Gercine Carter, Giora Israel, Jake Kheel, Jennifer Griffith and Josef Forstmayr. - Kalosh is a freelance journalist, editor of Seatrade Cruise News and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review. - Portela is justice and equity coordinator at GreenLatinos in Puerto Rico. - Carter is a journalist with The Nation Publishing Co. Limited in Barbados. - Israel is president of Giora Israel LLC and a strategic adviser in global cruise tourism, port development and the blue economy. - Kheel is vice president of sustainability at Grupo Puntacana in the Dominican Republic. - Griffith is permanent secretary at Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism. - Forstmayr is managing director of Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica. - CMEx President Bevan Springer said the honorees reflect leadership, vision and service that continue to move the Caribbean forward. - Springer said the honorees’ impact is reflected in stronger communities, expanded opportunities and progress toward a more sustainable future for the region. - A second group of honorees will be announced later this month. - Details on honorees, sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available at CMEx Media.

Between the lines: - CMEx is using the awards to reinforce its role at the intersection of tourism, media and community development. - The honoree list blends newsroom leaders, tourism executives and sustainability advocates, signaling a broad definition of Caribbean leadership. - The Miami-area setting underscores the event’s regional reach beyond the Caribbean islands themselves.

What's next: - CMEx plans to announce a second group of honorees later this month. - The organization will use the Dec. 6 event to raise funds for future programming and partnerships. - Attendees can already seek tickets and sponsorships through the CMEx website.