As the countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) continues, Antigua and Barbuda’s national preparatory efforts have entered a new phase of public engagement. The CHOGM 2026 Outreach Committee has expanded its nationwide public education drive by launching a targeted Government Office Outreach Tour, which connected with more than 300 stakeholders across multiple workplaces in just its first two days of operation.
This grassroots initiative was developed with one core goal: to ensure that residents of Antigua and Barbuda from all sectors and backgrounds gain clear, accessible information about the upcoming summit, understand the far-reaching significance of the small island nation serving as host, and know the concrete steps they can take to contribute to a successful, globally impactful event.
The outreach tour kicked off with an informative session at the Directorate of Gender Affairs, before moving on to a collaborative engagement with energy firm PDV Caribe. During both sessions, organizers shared key details about the 2026 summit, its strategic and economic value to Antigua and Barbuda, and the diverse roles that individual citizens and local organizations can play in welcoming visiting heads of government, official delegates, and international guests from across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc.
Briana Anthony, who serves as both Public Relations Officer and Outreach Lead for CHOGM 2026, emphasized that the committee’s top priority is centering public inclusion and transparency in all preparatory activities. “CHOGM 2026 is not just a high-level conference for global leaders—it is a landmark national moment for Antigua and Barbuda,” Anthony explained in an interview during the tour. “We want our people to grasp just how meaningful this opportunity is, and more importantly, to understand that every citizen has a part to play. This on-the-ground outreach brings the conversation directly to people where they work and live, framing CHOGM as a shared national opportunity that everyone can contribute to.”
Anthony added that the early public response to the tour has reinforced the value of the committee’s grassroots approach. “The feedback and enthusiasm we’ve received so far have been really encouraging, and it confirms why this targeted outreach is so necessary,” she said. “As we get closer to the summit, we are fully committed to expanding these engagements and reaching people across every sector of our economy and society. The more informed our citizens are, the better prepared our entire country will be to welcome the Commonwealth with open arms.”
Jeressa Jeremy, Communications Officer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs, echoed that sentiment, noting that equipping staff with accurate information was a key part of the agency’s contribution to national preparations. “It was critical for our whole team to be up to date on CHOGM 2026 and understand what it means for Antigua and Barbuda to host this major international gathering,” Jeremy said. “We were thrilled to collaborate with the Outreach Committee to bring this important information directly to our staff, and support the national push for broad public engagement.”
For PDV Caribe, the collaboration brought a special focus on including older members of the organization that might otherwise be overlooked in national outreach. Jellette Ralph, General Manager of PDV Caribe, explained that the firm prioritized ensuring its retired pensioners had full access to information about the summit. “We made a deliberate effort to include our pensioners in this awareness drive, because hosting CHOGM is a moment that touches all generations of Antiguans and Barbudans,” Ralph said. “We were happy to partner with the Outreach Committee to make sure our pensioners stay connected to this major national event, and understand that they also have a role to play in its success.”
The cross-sector collaboration behind the outreach tour has extended beyond public and private sector institutions, with small local businesses also stepping up to support the national effort. Three local female-owned beauty and wellness businesses—Hair by Amie, owned by Amie Cham; Tucker on the Girl, owned by Cecil Joyce; and Her Luxenail Lounge, owned by Michaela Harris—generously donated prizes for lucky attendees at the first two outreach sessions, helping drive engagement and excitement for the summit.
The Outreach Committee issued a formal statement thanking the three business owners for their generous contribution to the national campaign, noting that grassroots support from local entrepreneurs is a key part of building broad national buy-in for the event.
Looking ahead, the Government Office Outreach Tour is set to continue expanding across Antigua and Barbuda in the coming weeks. The committee plans to roll out new engagements across additional government offices, private sector companies, primary and secondary schools, local communities, and other key stakeholder groups to ensure no segment of the population is left out of preparatory efforts.
As the country continues its preparations to host the 2026 CHOGM summit, the Outreach Committee is renewing its call for all citizens and organizations across Antigua and Barbuda to seek out information, get involved in local preparations, and ready themselves to play their part. For the country’s lead organizers, CHOGM 2026 is a shared national milestone—and every member of the Antigua and Barbuda community has a role to play in making it a success.