The Caribbean’s food and tourism sectors are gearing up for a landmark collaborative gathering next May, when the 2026 Caribbean Food Forum opens its doors to cross-industry leaders in Antigua. The one-day hybrid event, scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Center, will welcome both in-person attendees and virtual participants from across the globe. Hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) and sponsored by Grace Foods, the forum stands as the centerpiece of the country’s annual celebration of local culinary culture, Annual Culinary Month.
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper will take the stage as the event’s keynote speaker, bringing decades of regional tourism leadership to the conversation. Her address will center on three pressing, interconnected topics: the growth of regenerative tourism models, the development of resilient sustainable food systems across the region, and the Caribbean’s evolving role in the multi-trillion-dollar global food economy. Joining Regis-Prosper from the CTO leadership team is Narendra Ramgulam, the organization’s Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism, who will dive into how targeted investment in agritourism and cohesive destination branding can unlock inclusive, long-term economic growth for Caribbean communities.
This year’s forum carries the forward-looking theme “The Future Is Local: Caribbean Food at the Crossroads of Global Impact”, a framing designed to highlight the tension and opportunity between preserving local food heritage and tapping into global market demand. Attendees will span key sectors that power the Caribbean’s economy, including tourism operators, agricultural producers, award-winning culinary artists, hospitality executives and impact investment leaders. Beyond keynote addresses, the event’s full agenda includes three in-depth panel discussions covering topics from climate resilience for small-scale food producers to diaspora engagement and supporting emerging food entrepreneurs. Attendees will also get to experience a curated marketplace and luncheon showcasing local producers, independent culinary artisans and iconic Caribbean food brands, while additional breakout sessions will explore how digital technology, sustainable farming practices and improved global market access can lift regional food businesses.
Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, framed the forum as a critical strategic step forward for the entire region. “The Caribbean Food Forum is a timely and strategic initiative that aligns perfectly with our shared vision for sustainable, community-centered tourism development,” James explained in remarks ahead of the event. “By elevating our local food systems and connecting them to global opportunity, we strengthen the unique value of our destinations, create deeply immersive cultural experiences for visitors, and build meaningful, income-generating pathways for local and regional producers and entrepreneurs.”
Donyelle Bird-Browne, USA-based senior business development manager for strategic partnerships and one of the forum’s lead organizers, emphasized that the event is designed to deliver more than just discussion. “CTO’s participation and formal endorsement underscores the critical role that integrated food systems play in shaping the future of both Caribbean tourism and broader economic resilience,” Bird-Browne noted. Following the close of the forum, organizers will synthesize key insights and consensus from attendees into a public white paper, which will outline concrete policy and investment recommendations as well as a clear actionable roadmap for cross-regional collaboration on food and tourism integration.
Registration for the 2026 Caribbean Food Forum remains open until Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Interested participants can secure their spot for either in-person or virtual attendance through the official Zoom registration portal: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pC0oONwQRsiix3jNGXyTvw. More details on Antigua and Barbuda’s full schedule of Annual Culinary Month events are available through the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s official channels.