The prestigious Governor’s mix and mingle; the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Tomorrow is the opening day! I have to get ready, but tonight, I have to get ready for the mix and mingle at the Governor General’s house.”

Naturally, I had to make sure that I was representing; it would be my first night interacting with other media houses, diplomats, governor’s, government officials.

It was my second night in St. Lucía; the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank, (CDB) held June 2023 in Saint Lucia. Twas the night before the opening ceremonies, and we were headed to Mr. Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, Acting Governor-General of Saint Lucia.  His Excellency was sworn in at the Official Residence of the Governor-General on Thursday, November 11^th, 2021.

During his professional career which spans over 30 years, Mr. Charles served in the public service in various capacities, the longest being as a tax professional within the Department of Inland Revenue for over 25 years.  Mr. Charles has also been involved in the work and contribution of the Lions Club in Saint Lucia for over 20 years.

Members of the press, and special guests were invited to the prestigious Governor’s mix and mingle, an exclusive event hosted at the Governor’s Mansion. It was a night of elegance, celebration, and meaningful connections in the company of distinguished guests, community leaders, and prominent figures from various sectors.

I met up with members of the other Caribbean media outlets at the front of Bay Gardens Hotel. From there we received a police escort and arrived in style at the Governor’s Mansion. We were greeted with a glamorous red-carpet reception, and His Excellency, and his wife greeted us at the door. It was a personable touch that was much appreciated.

During the night, I had the opportunity to mingle with influential guests, including government officials, business leaders, philanthropists, and cultural ambassadors. We enjoyed a wide array of delectable hors d’oeuvres and beverages during the cocktail hour, and I had a chance to foster connections and stimulate engaging conversations with some of the guests who were there.

It was not just great food, but also captivating live performances, featuring St. Lucia’s talented musicians, singers, and performers. Guests had a chance to enjoy a range of musical genres and artistic expressions, which created an enchanting ambiance throughout the evening.

The great thing about this event was that I had a chance to interact with diplomats, which provided valuable insights into global affairs, diplomacy, and different perspectives. I thought that this was a great idea to get the guests warmed up for what was to come. It offered a great opportunity to network, and open doors to future collaborations and opportunities.

When I got back to the hotel, I was ready. I was thankful for the night because it had prepared me for what was to come. Tomorrow, the opening ceremonies.