ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – In a landmark milestone for the small Caribbean nation, the 2026 JCI Conference of the Americas wrapped up its four-day run this month, drawing 338 young leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers from 40 nations across the hemisphere to the shores of Antigua and Barbuda. Hosted locally by JCI Antigua on behalf of JCI West Indies, the annual gathering – one of the Western Hemisphere’s most prominent youth leadership and professional development events – ran from May 13 to 16, 2026.
This year’s conference carries historic weight for the region: it marks only the third time the Conference of the Americas has been hosted in the West Indies, with the last West Indies-based iteration taking place nearly four decades ago in 1987. Critically, 2026 marks the first time Antigua and Barbuda has ever held the distinguished role of host nation for the regional JCI summit.
Delegates from across North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean took part in a packed, multi-faceted program designed to drive connection and growth. The agenda featured interactive leadership training modules, high-stakes public speaking and debate competitions, structured networking sessions, vibrant cultural showcases highlighting Caribbean heritage, and the official JCI General Assembly – where delegates held critical deliberations and made key decisions shaping the future of both the organization and the broader region.
The event drew top JCI leadership from across the Americas, including JCI global President Alejandra Castillo, a native of Bolivia. Also in attendance were the organization’s Executive Vice President for the Americas (based in the United States) and JCI Board of Directors members representing Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Suriname and the United States.
To accommodate the historic gathering, conference activities were spread across multiple purpose-chosen venues across Antigua and Barbuda, a decision that also served to showcase the country’s growing ability to host large-scale international events. Attendees were housed at the Royalton Antigua resort, which also hosted many core conference sessions. Leadership workshops and training modules were split between Royalton Antigua and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, while the formal closing ceremony was held at the American University of Antigua.
Securing the right to host the conference was no small feat. The bidding process launched three years prior, and JCI Antigua – backed by full support from JCI West Indies – outcompeted other international candidates by putting forward a compelling vision framing Antigua and Barbuda as an unmatched destination for regional collaboration, offering world-class Caribbean hospitality and a dynamic setting for leadership development.
Beyond the successful delivery of the summit, JCI Antigua also earned strong results in the conference’s competitive programming segments. In a post-event statement, Conference Director Senator Shenella Govia shared her gratitude for the widespread support that turned the multi-year project into a reality.
“This conference was far more than just another industry event – it was a powerful demonstration of what shared vision, resilience, cross-sector partnership and collective belief can achieve,” Govia said. “Three years ago, this was nothing more than an ambitious bid and a dream held by a small, dedicated team. Today, Antigua and Barbuda has successfully welcomed the entire Americas region, and we’ve showcased the warmth, professionalism, rich culture and incredible capability of our people to the world.”
Govia extended special recognition to the local organizing committee, whose relentless work behind the scenes made the event possible. “I am deeply grateful to our sponsors, community partners, government agencies, volunteers, delegates, and every single person who played a part in bringing this conference to life. Special thanks goes to the Conference Organising Committee, whose countless sacrifices, long hours and unwavering dedication ensured we pulled off this historic event seamlessly. I also want to sincerely thank JCI Antigua and JCI West Indies for believing in this vision from day one and standing with us through every step of the journey.”
Govia added that feedback from international and regional delegates has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees praising the unmatched hospitality of Antigua and Barbuda, the high quality of the conference programming, the professionalism of the local organizing team, and the overall four-day experience.
Looking ahead, the successful hosting of the 2026 conference is expected to deliver long-term benefits for Antigua and Barbuda. It will reinforce the country’s growing reputation as a premier destination for major regional and international events, while also generating immediate and sustained economic activity across tourism, hospitality, transportation, entertainment and local small businesses.
Beyond economic gains, the conference served as a critical platform to strengthen ties across the Americas, boost investment in youth leadership and civic engagement, and elevate the essential role young changemakers play in driving forward sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation and community impact across every corner of the hemisphere.
In closing, JCI Antigua reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to nurturing leadership development, advancing active citizenship and deepening regional collaboration, and extended a final note of appreciation to all delegates, sponsors, partners, volunteers, participating nations and supporters who helped make the 2026 JCI Conference of the Americas in Antigua and Barbuda the historic success it became.