The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association’s www.Visitstmaarten.com Call Center is pleased to introduce its first staff member, Ms. Ayanna Guy, who has been employed as the Call Center agent.

Ms. Guy, born and raised on St. Maarten, left for the Netherlands to pursue her studies in 2000, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Hospitality Management. Her work experience includes traineeships and posts at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and the prestigious Ritz Carlton Company.

The SHTA chose Ms. Guy, because of her education, skills and ability to not only assist in the development of the call center but also to eventually manage it. The SHTA is certain that Ms. Guy will make a great addition to the team.

For more information on the VisitStmaarten.com call center, please contact the SHTA office on 542-0108.

Nature Foundation St. Maarten was very pleased to receive a much needed donation from Heineken St. Maarten this week, to put towards their conservation program.

The funds were raised through the sale of white ‘Enjoy Heineken Responsibly’ bracelets during the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in March 2009. “During the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, we want to raise the exposure concerning the importance of keeping our island and it’s waters clean”, says Heineken St. Maarten Managing Director John Leone, “We started with the green “Meet You There” bracelets which we donated in 2006 and followed up with ‘Serious “Clean” Fun’ bracelets in 2007 and ‘St. Maarten Heineken Regatta’ bracelets in 2008. This year we contributed the white bracelets. Over the years we have raised over $10.000 through this program and we are very happy that we were able to generate an additional $1700 to give to the Nature Foundation. We hope we can continue to work together to find solutions that benefit both the island’s natural environment for all to enjoy.”

“We are extremely grateful for this contribution,” says Marisa Brandy of the Nature Foundation. “The Foundation is funded purely through grants and fundraising efforts. A donation like this makes a significant difference to the work we do. The natural environment is one of St. Maarten’s most important resources – clean beaches, healthy seas and green hills are the reason why many of our visitors come here every year. It is everyone’s responsibility, from the individual to our Government and from small businesses to large international corporations, to protect our natural resources and conserve the beauty and biodiversity of our island for the benefit of current and future generations”.

When asked what Nature Foundation would spend their money on, Ms. Brandy replies, “towards staff salaries as we are going through financial crises right now”.

“Nature Foundation is proud to partner with corporations like Heineken and is incredibly thankful for having Heineken St. Maarten as a positive working partner,” she says. “We hope this continues into the future and that other companies on St. Maarten will follow Heineken’s example and help conserve St. Maarten’s environment”.

The foundations and Heineken St. Maarten would also like to especially thank the Shipwreck Shop and the St. Maarten Yacht Club for merchandising these items and individual volunteers for their efforts in selling these items during the St Maarten Heineken Regatta.

The new bracelets for the 2010 St Maarten Heineken Regatta will be on sale soon. For more information on conservation projects on St. Maarten, please contact the Nature Foundation at info@naturefoundationsxm.org / tel: 542 0267

In cooperation with the St Maarten Pride Foundation, Heineken St. Maarten also institutes a beach cleanup program called bright beaches. This program enables non-profit organizations, which are willing to eliminate trash from our beaches, access to funds that Heineken St. Maarten has allocated from the sales of Heineken products, particularly Amstel Bright beer. For more information please contact the St Maarten Pride Foundation.

Ziggy and Maikal X set to perform at the 2010 St.Maarten Heineken Regatta.

January 28th 2010-Simpson Bay St.Maarten-Holland’s biggest Reggae Star Ziggi will be opening on Sunday March 7th for a fantastic night of fun on Kim Sha Beach.

Having shot to fame since 2004, with singles like ‘In my Head’, ‘High time’ and ‘Missing the Way’  Ziggi has been compared to many great Reggae artists, and is predicted a bright future in the Music world.

His fame takes him well beyond the borders of the Netherlands, having toured with German Reggae band Gentleman and played at many European concerts. He was recently signed to Jamaican record label VP/Greensleeves, where he is the first European Reggae artist to join their roster.

As a young artist, Ziggi is proving to be socially engaged, as his latest record ‘In Transit’ deals with issues like environment and poverty.

Ziggi now comes back to the Caribbean, which is where he grew up listening to Reggae, Dance Hall and Hip Hop; all of which influences are now deeply intertwined in his melodies.

Having performed on the Boardwalk in Philipsburg at the 2007 regatta, the crowds loved him, and the organizers are very pleased to welcome him back!

Ziggi will be teaming up with Maikal X, also known as Shyrock or Rollarocka. This artist hails from the Netherlands, with his roots in the Caribbean.

Having recently launched his solo-career, Maikal X is no stranger to the party scene where he is known as the tenor of The Postmen. With this group he has had a string of hit singles such as “Cocktail” and “You Wait” taken from their hit debut album “Documents”.

Under the name Shyrock, Maikal X is also known as the MC of Europe’s biggest dancehall and reggae party called “Jamrock”. His MC skills have taken him to many corners of the world, so for Sunday’s show he is expected to bring some upbeat reggae beats to Kim Sha beach.

Both Ziggi and Maikal X will be backed by the Renaissance Band.

Artist booker for the Regatta Michele Ferron is excited; “Ziggi and Maikel X are both very talented young performers, and the perfect act for this event. Their music is diverse and inspired, with a broad appeal. I am sure everyone will be dancing to these sounds on the beach with a cold Heineken in their hands, sailors and locals, young and old. This is exactly what the Regatta parties are all about: a great time, great music and great beer. I know Í am looking forward to the show; it’s going to be Hot!”

In its 30th anniversary year, the final night of this four day event is going to be one to remember. Don’t miss it!