STEP Caribbean Conference 2018 in review

Thursday, 24 May 2018
This year's STEP Caribbean Conference, which took place on 7-9 May at the Barbados Hilton Resort, marked the event's 20th anniversary

This year's STEP Caribbean Conference, which took place on 7-9 May at the Barbados Hilton Resort, marked the event's 20th anniversary - and this year included Trust Immersion 201, a one-day conference with less technical topics, running parallel to the main conference.

Over 250 delegates attended - and while many STEP members came from Caribbean islands, the US and LatAm countries, attendees also flocked in from further afield: the UK, South Korea, India, Switerland, and, for the first time, Canada. Delegates from STEP Toronto were attending for the first time, and have expressed an interest in returning in 2019.

Amanda Lashley, STEPCC2018 Conference Chair, said, 'This year’s conference was aptly themed “Fast Forward: Future Thinking.” All of us in the international financial services industry are aware of the internationally agreed standards of transparency and exchange of information which are likely to significantly impact small open economies. It is our hope that this conference will provide some much needed insight and thought provoking ideas on how best we as a region can move forward.'

Delegates provided overwhelmingly positive feedback:

'I have been a STEP Caribbean member for several years and have attended STEP conferences in various regions; I found this year’s conference to be very well-organised and enlightening in terms of content and speaker diversity. I especially enjoyed the presentations from the South African and Swiss speakers.' TEP, Anonymous STEP member

'As a STEP Student member I found the Trust Immersion 201 to be very beneficial, the topics were relevant and each presenter of a very high calibre. This was my first STEP Caribbean Conference and I look forward to attending the next one.' Kevin Thomas, Cidel Bank & Trust Inc., STEP Student member

'Congratulations on an excellent conference in Barbados! I found presentations thought provoking and informative. As usual, the social events showcasing Barbados were entertaining and provided great networking. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate.' Joseph C. Kellogg, TEP, We Family Offices

The conference will return in 2019, and will be held in the Bahamas.