CARIBAVIA’s retreat-style offers alternative approach to aviation, tourism engagement

ST. BARTHS--In an era dominated by large-scale industry conferences, the CARIBAVIA Summit and Retreat offers a different model: a retreat-style gathering that emphasizes small-group exchange, equal-footing engagement, and the cultivation of long-term regional cooperation in aviation, tourism, and investment. Held June 10–12, 2025, in St. Barths, the event brought together stakeholders from across the Caribbean and beyond to discuss issues, explore opportunities, and establish practical working relationships.

Now in its seventh edition, CARIBAVIA is intentionally organized as a boutique-format event, which, according to founder and Director Cdr. Bud Slabbaert, offers participants the opportunity to connect more meaningfully. “We don’t count the people we may reach,” he said. “We want to reach the people who count.”

Slabbaert explained that traditional conferences leave limited space for tailored experiences or peer-based knowledge exchange. By contrast, CARIBAVIA was designed to foster a sense of inclusion and accessibility. “The psychology behind conferences is deeply rooted in the human desire for connection, recognition, and growth,” he noted. “If participants feel equal and less formal, they communicate more easily, and in a more natural and authentic manner.”

The retreat-style format is structured to support not only networking, but also shared problem-solving and cross-sector understanding. CARIBAVIA’s sessions include participants from industry, government, academia, and international organizations. Slabbaert emphasized that behind the titles and protocols are individuals who benefit from being in an environment that prioritizes open communication. “A vision becomes credible when it’s not presented like an astrological act but as a realistic display of intelligence,” he said.

CARIBAVIA is structured around the current and emerging needs of the Caribbean region. Its program includes presentations and discussions on technologies, research and development, airlift logistics, investment frameworks, and tourism impacts. As Slabbaert explained, when communication between stakeholders is heightened, “the issues are amplified, and the exploration of new ways and means is intensified.”

According to Slabbaert, CARIBAVIA is organized to be a practical and outcomes-oriented event for all participants—attendees, speakers, sponsors, and media. Its objective is to help identify solutions that will benefit Caribbean communities and economies through improved air transportation and tourism development. “It is a process of applying foresight,” he said, “and aligning dialogue with long-term regional objectives.”

The retreat format also presents a case for more efficient and cost-effective industry engagement. Slabbaert referenced findings from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), which notes that it costs 62 percent less to close a lead generated at a trade show than through traditional field methods. “A boutique-style event like CARIBAVIA increases the chances of reaching the right people and generating results,” he said.

The summit has also become a point of interest for companies and organizations seeking to connect with high-caliber professionals, some of whom may be actively seeking new opportunities. “CARIBAVIA attracts individuals who are not just representing institutions but are also looking for long-term impact and career advancement,” Slabbaert said.

Interest in future editions of the Summit and Retreat is already underway. The 8th annual CARIBAVIA will take place from June 9 to 11, 2026. The location has not yet been finalized, but will be chosen based on its accessibility, regional relevance, and ability to support the event’s focus on human-centered engagement.

Looking further ahead, the 9th annual CARIBAVIA is scheduled for June 8 to 10, 2027, in Antigua & Barbuda. The early announcement was made following a visit by Antigua’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Investments, who attended all sessions of the 2025 event and expressed interest in hosting future editions. Slabbaert said the Minister’s engagement reflected a shared understanding of CARIBAVIA’s value. “He commented that there should be more conferences of this kind,” Slabbaert noted.

Each edition of CARIBAVIA is designed to be immersive, placing participants in what Slabbaert describes as a “distinct world of leadership” with curated discussion and informal settings. While the topics are technical and policy-oriented, the tone remains human-centered. “Through this model, we’re not just building a network,” Slabbaert said. “We are building a functional community.”

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