Myron Walwyn wins Pioneer of the Year award
BVI News Staff - Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Minister of Education and Culture and Moorings Mariner Inn owner, Myron Walwyn, last evening captured the Pioneer of the Year Business Award at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) award ceremony at the Scrub Island Resort and Spa.
Walwyn, who was not present at the event, was recognised for his significant contribution to the tourism and hospitality sectors in the BVI, his establishment of a successful law firm in the peak of the recession and his commitment to the community.
The operation of several well established businesses under his management company as well as his commitment to encouraging BVIslanders to book their vacations right here in the BVI were also recognised.
Chairman of the Board, Dr. Birney Harrigan, in her remarks said: “His law firm is committing 100 hours of pro-bono legal assistance, a quota that has been exceeded every quarter. As an attorney who remains diligent to helping all persons in the BVI community with justice; as a businessman he has invested in several ventures and served on various Boards throughout the community. He remains steadfast in his commitment to empower young people to help them find their rightful place in the territory and further their contribution to the community.”
The award is awarded annually to the entrepreneur who has played a major role in the development of the tourism and hospitality sectors in the BVI, his overall performance, what the entrepreneur’s vision for the future is, his ability to develop new ideas and products, and originality and distinctiveness in business operations and sales.
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- Dr. Heskith Vanterpool (right) collects his Business Person of the Year Award from President of the BVICCHA, Dr. Bernie Harrgian. * Photo by BVI News
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- Business of the Year – Commerce
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- Business of the Year – Hospitality
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- Business Person of the Year Award – Hospitality
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- Pioneer of the Year Award accepted by a BVICCHA member in the absence of the awardee, Myron Walwyn, who is currently the Minister of Education and Culture.
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- Green Award
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- Excellence in Customer Service Award
At the gala celebrations attended by several local entrepreneurs, Acting Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering, conveyed Premier Dr. Orlando Smith’s commitment to working with the business community towards forging a brighter and more economically prosperous future for the Virgin Islands.
“We will take up this challenge to work and cooperate with the commerce and hotel association,” he said.
Dr. Pickering said cooperation within the business bureau is something that has always been very close to the heart of the Premier and on the elections campaign trail this commitment was strengthened.
“You are expected to compete, you are expected to be something of great importance for the future of these Virgin Islands,” Pickering said on behalf of the Premier.
In a statement to attendees, published in the Business Awards Gala celebrations magazine, Dr. Smith commended them for their hard work and continued dedication for positioning local businesses in the global and domestic environment.
“My Government strongly supports the initiative of buying local. More importantly, we believe that strengthening this economy must be in partnership with the private sector. Additionally, we understand that our local businesses are central drivers of the economy as they help to circulate the money generated in tourism,” Dr. Smith said.
The chairman said that she and the BVICCHA board and members are looking forward to working with the new government.
Other awards granted were:
The Green award
Winner – Bitter End Yacht Club
This company has been committed to establishing and promoting environmentally conscious products and operations.
The Excellence in Customer Service award
Winner – Lauridon Wheatley
Wheatley has been a longstanding and committed employee of the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort since joining the company on May29, 1968. He has been nominated for the prize on numerous other occasions and has won several awards from his company for his exceptional customer-oriented service.
Business Person of the Year (Commercial)
Winner – Dr. Heskith Vanterpool
Dr. Vanterpool is the Chief Executive Officer of Eureka Medical Clinic and Bougainvillea Clinic. He is also a founding partner of Medicure Limited, a founding member of the Association of West Indian Gastroenterologist, member of Caribbean Cardiac Society and the Americas Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, as well as a member of the Road Town Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
Business Person of the Year (Hospitality)
Winner – Binny Sebastian
Resort manager of Scrub Island Resort, Binny Sebastian is a member of the Chamber; he has introduced ways to increase business in the BVI by creating an Explore BVI package and an interactive map for visitors to find a way to the Islands. He has also introduced a new concept to allow all trade license holders to contribute one dollar on every trade license to the BVICCHA. This proposal is now subject to government approval.
Business of the Year (Commerce)
Winner – Road Town Wholesale
With a progressive re-investment programme, Road Town Wholesale has transformed the shopping experience in the BVI to one that is considered world-class. Its food distribution company supports the community through the sponsorship and support of various clubs, schools, churches, sporting and cultural organisations and several other activities.
Business of the Year (Hospitality)
Winner – Peter Island Resort and Spa
This resort has been committed to promoting the BVI as a luxury vacation destination, and has won several international awards. The resort is known for its unspoiled landscapes, a combination of natural wonders, privacy and luxury with charming beach-side suites and oceanside rooms as well as extraordinary villas, with a staff compliment that is an experience in itself.
A final surprise events award was given to Avril Alexander, Gala Celebrations Committee executive assistant, for her expertise in organising and executing successful events for the Chamber.
The Chairman said, “Her ability to execute in style has been a real asset to the BVICCHA organisation, its committee and its members. Tonight’s dinner and gala is no exception, not to mention her outstanding contribution to the management of the five gold-medal-award winning BVI national culinary team, the successful BVI Trade Expo and the Business After Hours programme, to name a few.”
Copyright 2012 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
18 Comments
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Man – Birney must be getting paid good for this bull! The whole CCHA is a disgrace! Funny how she preaches helping others then gets paid off to kick them in the teeth! Shame on Birny and shame on teh CCHA!
last year my compnay ended its membership in the BVIHCA because it was too politcal..too NDP and this is another example of it…I made the right choice.
That is the absolute truth. Way tooooo politcal not focused on it’s real purpose at all. Just another politcal club.
You VIP loyalists just dont get it. Elections over. Hon. Walwyn has been working long before the 2011 elections campaign. GIve the man his just due. Stop your nonsense and celebrate the man for who he is – a go getter. Maybe you all need to start doing something before something do you.
who is VIP loyalist..i taught it was the wife of an NDP at-large candiate..she win now so dem stop bolg yaaawn
i’m convinced….this is a ndp thing
You are an A$$ since when Hotel and Commerce is an NDP thing.
VIP loyalist again! LMAO! What a bitter individual! He must’ve gotten the shitting when Myron win, that man is obsessed!!!
IT IS BECAUSE I SAW THAT VANTERPOOL MAN IN THE NDP MOTOR CADE SO WHO THEM FOOLING THESE ARE THE PERSONS WHO HAPPY THE NDP IN
HE IS HON.MYRON THANK U
NO FUNNY MAN MINSITER OR THE FISHERMAN
myron what has he done for his businesses besides rediculious prices…stupppps
who is Myron? is it the funny man Minsiter?
You are just a hater man. I admire this young man. Maybe you should take half a page from his book and you won’t sound this bitter!
These awards are self serving awards, the NDP awards.
i totally agree they have no credibility just pure NDP politics but we naa fool foool..so glad my company pulled out of this mess
These awards have been given for many years before this year. Trying to put a political spin on them now is a tragedy. All of these persons are deserving of these awards. Myron has always helped the communities throughout the BVI through his businesses. CCHA should be applauded. It may be that some of you have never picked up a newspaper or listened to the news so until the online news websites came into existence you were out of the loop.
Rotarians Delma, Hon. Myron & Dr. Heskith – on behalf of your fellow Rotarians – we are mighty proud of you. Congratulations
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