11th Diaspora Conference set for Montego Bay in June
Published:Saturday | January 17, 2026 | 12:08 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
The 11th Biennial Diaspora Conference has been set for June 14 to June 18 at the Montego By Convention Centre in St James, with Diaspora Day – a day of service – scheduled to take place on June 16.
The Gleaner understands that a theme for the conference has been agreed, but has not yet been made official for release to the public.
Alando Terrelonge, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge, who has portfolio responsibility for diaspora affairs, recently hosted a planning meeting on the conference. The conference committee is being chaired by Earl Jarrett, head of JN Group.
The diaspora conference is held every two years and, this year, conference planners are hoping that participation will surpass the last conference where more than 1,000 people attended.
The conference budget is reportedly still being formulated, but it is expected to received combined funding from a government subvention, legacy partners, the sale of exhibition booth spaces, as well as other through other avenues.
While no “save the date” information has been circulated within the diaspora, The Gleaner understands that this should be made public shortly.
EXPECTING A GREAT CONFERENCE
In a recent Facebook post referencing the planning for the event, Jarrett said he was looking forward to a great conference.
“I am expecting a large turnout at the conference,” he said.
Jarrett indicated that the conference will have exciting presentations and, hopefully, can develop solutions to challenges facing Jamaica.
“I am looking forward to a great conference. As you know, the strength of Jamaica is its people and Jamaicans in the diaspora represent a significant part of Jamaica,” he said.
The conference is being held post-Hurricane Melissa and Terrelonge said the country is building a resilience and he was looking forward to a week of meaningful discussion and partnership.
For the 10th biennial conference, organisers partnered with hotels and airlines to secure lower rates to allow people from across the Diaspora to attend.
Also, the registration fee for conference participants was lowered as a means of getting more people to attend.
Last conference, the nightly cost at the partner hotels ranged from just under US$250 per night double occupancy and US$177 per night single occupancy.