Unsettled weather from Hurricane Dean did not stop the 15 senior-level planners who traveled to Ritz-Carlton's Insurance Educational Weekend in August to hear updates about doing business in the U.S. Virgin Islands, learn about Ritz-Carlton brand strategy, and discuss top-of-mind trends and issues.

Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas — whose 180 guest rooms and suites have been completely redone as part of a $40 million renovation now nearing completion — attendees experienced what the resort has to offer for meetings. They also heard presentations from Beverly Nicholson-Doty, commissioner of tourism, USVI; Judi Nagelbert and Tom Cornwell, Island Meetings & Incentives; Marc Langevin, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; and Ezzat Coutry, senior vice president, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

“Ritz-Carlton is one of the fastest-growingluxury brands in the world,” said Coutry. Three new Caribbean properties will open in the next few years: Molasses Reef, Turks & Caicos; Rose Island, Bahamas; and Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. And renovations are under way at Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Jamaica; and Ritz-Carlton San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The insurance educational weekend will again be held in the Caribbean region next summer, says Pam Ferguson, director of insurance sales. “The insurance market represents a significant niche for our company,” she notes. “We feel that it is very important to bring our partners together annually to provide company updates and discuss the hot topics in their world.”

Ritzy Design

The sense of style in new and renovated Ritz-Carlton hotels will be luxurious yet relaxed. You can expect:

• casual elegance
• a sense of place
• restaurants that have been designed by restaurant designers — not hotel designers.