Unique Vacations, Inc., an affiliate of the global representative for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, convened its 2025 Global Sales Conference in Jamaica from 08-12JAN.
The event brought together over 200 participants, including business development managers, company executives, industry leaders, and government officials.
The five-day conference gave attendees insights into the company’s updated Caribbean-focused vision and strategies for boosting productivity and sales in the year ahead.
Highlights from the Conference
Keynote speeches, workshops, and presentations updated attendees on Sandals’ plans for growth. Executives and guest speakers addressed topics ranging from enhancing guest experiences to strengthening partnerships with travel advisors.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, highlighted the country’s strong start to 2025, noting over 125,000 visitors in the first eight days of January—an increase of 1.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Sandals Resorts executive chairman Adam Stewart discussed the brand’s regional impact, citing significant increases in airlift to destinations like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines following Sandals’ launch there last year.
“We are in the business of thank-yous and making people’s dreams come true,” Stewart said. “Sandals 2.0 is about evolving and moving forward. Our brand will grow, our resorts will become more luxurious, and we will expand together.”
Other speakers included Adam Duckworth, President and Founder of Travelmation, and Stephen McGillivray, CMO of Travel Leaders.
“Made of Caribbean”
The conference focused on Sandals’ new global campaign and visual identity, “Made of Caribbean”, which is now also featured in advisor collateral material. Brochures, car wraps, and toolkits have been redesigned to reflect the ‘Made of Caribbean’ branding.
Awards
At the awards ceremony, Canadian sales team members were recognized for their invaluable contributions, including awards for:
- National BDM of the Year, Canada – presented to Winston Chang, BDM, BC, SK & Yukon
- Spirit of Excellence, Canada – presented to Teresa Villanueva, Inside Sales Manager
- Silent Warrior, Canada – presented to Sandra Brousseau, BDM Eastern/Central Quebec & Atlantic Canada
- Outstanding Team Player, Canada – presented to Donne Nixon, HR Coordinator
- Outstanding Sales Achievements, Canada – presented to Richard Todd, Senior Sales Consultant and Winston Chang BDM, BC, SK & Yukon
- Industry Award of Excellence, Global – presented to Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, Canada
- CEO Award for Excellence, Global – presented to Omar Josephs, Senior Manager – Group Sales & Events, Canada
Several members of the Unique Vacations Canada team were also honoured for their various milestones and years of service with the company, including:
- Maureen Barnes-Smith – 30 years
- Grace Larmond – 25 years
- Winston Chang – 20 years
- Robert Smith – 15 years
“We are here today – at the start of the peak winter season – and while most companies wouldn’t pull this many rooms out of inventory, we do so with the intention to show our commitment to bring it all back to the product. We believe this level of investment is crucial, as it lays a strong foundation for building a successful future,” said Jeff Clarke, CEO of Unique Vacations.
WAVE by Sandals and Beaches
Sandals announced the launch of a new social media content platform, WAVE, for travel advisors selling Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The app and desktop program is by invitation-only.
WAVE debuts in 2025 to select advisors as a pilot program, with a broader rollout plan to follow.
Incentives
Four U.S. and two Canadian travel advisors can win a five-night, all-inclusive stay in a butler suite at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, plus an airfare credit, via a new contest for the highest 2025 bookings at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through January 31, 2025.
Additionally, advisors can receive an incentive bonus and earn up to 21% commission plus up to US$85 extra cash bonus for new bookings made at any Sandals or Beaches Resorts when booked with Unique Vacations, Inc. via the TA Portal or the Travel Advisor Reservations Team.
