Wyndham's grand affair
Published:Sunday | May 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
An ice-carving martini bar stood to one side, a sushi station at the other, while a pushcart-looking restaurant caused the gastronomic juices to flow as excitement spewed from an unassuming poached salmon.
Two months shy of a year since the Wyndham International rebranded New Kingston's landmark 303-room property, renaming it Wyndham Kingston, the hotel was on par showcasing a new attitude to corporate Jamaica on May 3. Dubbed, a 'Customer Appreciation Cocktail Reception', those who turned out got far more than a regular cocktail party.
The hotel's management, led by General Manager David Yamada, the man in charge of finance, Gerard Ivey, director of food and beverage, Jonathan Kastner and director of sales and marketing, Kathy Scimeme, used the opportunity to show off the different possibilities for events that can be hosted at the property. "From the decor to the food and beverage offerings to the quality service that the Wyndham is known for," boasts Yamada. On arrival, guests were ushered into a fabulous poolside setting by the fashionably and elegantly dressed staff. There, the melodies of Charmaine Lemonious rang sweetly, a precursor of big things to come.
This was evident in the culmination of the evening's offering in the Grand Independent Ballroom, which was transformed into a Caribbean wonderland of a martini bar, chop chop salad bar offering a range of fresh vegetables, various accompaniments and sushi. Even the popular Devon House I-Scream made its presence felt.
The event had in attendance owner of the hotel, Delroy Howell; Douglas Cupidon, head of corporate banking, FirstCaribbean; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce President Milton Samuda, the Jamaica Tourist Board's Nicole Haughton; director of Ocean Chimo's Kenarthur Mitchell; attorney G. Anthony Levy; and Heart Trust/ NTA's Jacqueline Wallder, PanCaribbean's Ingrid Card and Ainsley Whyte.
Photos by Janet Silvera