Shellisia T. Glasford Reveals Vision To Elevate Nevis As The Premier Destination For Vip And Mice Events

Friday, July 25, 2025

In an exclusive question and reply pinch Ms. Shelisia T. Glasford, Director of VIP and MICE Services astatine The NTA, she shares her imagination for positioning Nevis arsenic a premier destination for luxury recreation and high-profile events.

With an awesome inheritance successful world hospitality, spanning Switzerland, nan U.S., and Australia, Glasford is well-equipped to elevate Nevis’s floor plan successful nan competitory MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. Her ngo is to toggle shape Nevis into a coveted destination for VIP travelers, inducement groups, and firm retreats.

Emphasizing exclusivity, tranquility, and unparalleled Caribbean charm, she intends to create experiences that spell beyond luxury, offering a manner that appeals to today’s discerning world travelers. By enhancing nan island’s hospitality offerings and forging cardinal partnerships, Ms. Glasford is dedicated to making Nevis nan destination of prime for those seeking privacy, authenticity, and world-class service. Her attraction connected sustainability, section empowerment, and personalized experiences will thief support nan island’s earthy beauty and taste richness while catering to an elite clientele.

Congratulations connected your caller role! What are your contiguous priorities arsenic Director of VIP and MICE Services, and really do you scheme to position Nevis arsenic a premier destination for high-level events and luxury travel?

Thank you truthful much. I’m incredibly grateful, honored, and humbled to measurement into this domiciled astatine specified a pivotal infinitesimal for Nevis.

My contiguous privilege is to elevate Nevis’s visibility arsenic nan destination of prime for high-end events and luxury travel. We’re not conscionable offering a product—we’re offering a feeling, a lifestyle, and an acquisition that speaks to today’s discerning traveler. Nevis offers an unparalleled blend of tranquility, exclusivity, and authentic Caribbean charm—which is precisely what today’s discerning travelers and arena planners are seeking.

Additionally, Nevis is uniquely positioned successful nan Caribbean arsenic a destination without nan hustle, nan traffic, aliases nan commercialized overload. It’s a spot of serenity, exclusivity, and authenticity—perfect for those looking to unwind, rejuvenate, and link meaningfully. That’s a powerful worth proposition for VIPs, firm retreats, and elite travelers.

Located conscionable minutes from St. Kitts via a short h2o transfer, nan land blends authentic West Indian charm pinch high-end accommodations and lush earthy beauty. With nary cruise ports aliases high-rise resorts, it’s easy accessible via awesome U.S. hubs for illustration Miami, New York, and Atlanta, and moreover offers backstage pitchy entree done its section airport. Convenient location flights from adjacent Caribbean islands—including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Croix—further heighten Nevis’ entreaty arsenic a premier destination for MICE groups and arena planners seeking some exclusivity and easiness of travel.

My extremity is to position Nevis arsenic a bespoke destination wherever each experience, from friendly executive retreats to high-profile inducement travel, is infused pinch world-class hospitality and section warmth.

To move this forward, we’ll beryllium focusing connected strengthening our marque personality wrong nan world luxury and MICE markets. This intends being intentional astir nan partnerships we prosecute and nan markets we target.

We’re not trying to beryllium everything to everyone—we’re aiming to beryllium precisely what a specific, high-value assemblage is looking for: a safe, peaceful, luxe mounting that’s cleanable for personalized, boutique group experiences.

With your extended world hospitality inheritance crossed Switzerland, nan U.S., and Australia, really will those world experiences pass your attack to enhancing nan VIP and MICE offerings successful Nevis?

Each destination I’ve worked successful has taught maine valuable lessons. I’m incredibly grateful for each role, and each acquisition I’ve encountered passim my career—they’ve each played a pivotal portion successful preparing maine for this moment. I tin confidently opportunity that I consciousness much equipped and grounded now than ever earlier to lead successful this direction, and that’s because of nan breadth and extent of vulnerability I’ve had crossed Switzerland, nan U.S., and Australia.

In Switzerland, I lived and studied among peers from complete 60 nationalities. That immersive, multicultural situation gave maine a profound appreciation for taste diverseness and a deep-rooted knowing of work excellence—especially fitting, since Switzerland is often regarded arsenic nan birthplace of modern hospitality. Switzerland surely honed my appreciation for precision and work excellence.

In nan U.S., I had nan privilege of moving astatine The Breakers Palm Beach, a five-star edifice known for hosting an elite clientele—from high-net-worth individuals to celebrities. There, I learned nan creation of ultra-personalized work and nan value of precision and discretion erstwhile delivering luxury astatine scale, particularly for VIP weddings and exclusive group events.

Then successful Australia, astatine Park Hyatt Sydney, I worked successful 1 of nan city’s astir iconic properties. The edifice regularly hosted world delegations, world media property junkets—including for companies for illustration Disney—and awesome sporting groups for illustration FIFA. That acquisition sharpened my expertise to run wrong high-stakes, fast-paced environments wherever each item matters.

What I’ve learned is that group hospitality astatine nan VIP and MICE level isn’t astir crowd management—it’s astir curating experiences. It’s astir genuinely knowing nan unsocial needs of each group and delivering thoughtful, high-touch work successful a luxury environment. These world experiences haven’t conscionable prepared me—they’ve shaped nan lens done which I now lead.

Bringing that world position to Nevis intends designing VIP and MICE offerings that are some globally competitory and uniquely local. It’s astir anticipating nan needs of world guests while remaining existent to nan tone of Nevis. I intend to instrumentality work training and operational standards that bespeak this world champion practice, ensuring we not only meet but transcend expectations.

The MICE assemblage is highly competitive. What unsocial aspects of Nevis do you scheme to item to pull inducement groups, business conferences, and exclusive gatherings to nan island?

Nevis offers a divers and elevated portfolio of venues perfect for hosting everything from high-level committee meetings and inducement retreats to gala dinners and large-scale festivals. The Four Seasons Resort Nevis leads pinch complete 9,000 ft² of elastic arena space, including ballrooms, beachfront lawns, and elegant backstage eating options. For much exclusive retreats and outdoor elegance, Palm Garden Nevis provides 6 acres of tropical abstraction pinch capacities of up to 1,000 guests, complemented by luxury villas and immersive accumulation capabilities. The Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park supports ample nationalist and taste events pinch expansive greenish abstraction and indoor pavilions conscionable steps from nan beach. With afloat AV support, catering, and concierge services crossed venues, Nevis delivers a seamless, intimate, and authentically Caribbean acquisition for MICE groups.

Nevis has a chopped edge: it’s serene, unspoiled, and profoundly rooted successful quality and culture. It’s not overcrowded, overbuilt, aliases over-commercialized—and successful today’s fast-paced, overstimulated world, that’s a uncommon luxury. We want to entreaty to inducement groups, executive retreats, and business gatherings that are looking for much than conscionable a gathering space—they’re seeking meaningful moments, disconnection from nan noise, and opportunities to reset and reconnect.

That unsocial is simply a immense tie for VIPs and firm groups looking for meaningful, distraction-free environments. We besides connection a almanac of taste and culinary experiences that adhd worth to immoderate itinerary.

Our proximity to nan U.S., easiness of entree via backstage aerial and sea, and rich | offerings—from wellness escapes to heritage-rich experiences—position Nevis arsenic an perfect boutique destination. We’re leaning into our strengths: earthy reserves, authentic section culture, personalized service.

For MICE, we’re highlighting curated group excursions, wellness retreats, and heritage-rich activities that create transformative, memorable events. Nevis is not conscionable a backdrop for meetings—it’s portion of nan story.

Top group-friendly properties see nan Four Seasons Resort Nevis—home to nan island’s largest gathering space—alongside boutique options for illustration Montpelier, Mount Nevis Hotel and Golden Rock Inn. From beachside receptions and historical property venues to wellness retreats, taste tours, and outdoor adventures for illustration hiking Nevis Peak aliases sailing catamarans, nan land delivers memorable group experiences.

Nevis’s characteristic lies successful nan harmony of its intimacy, authenticity, and elevated experiences. One of our strongest examples is nan caller Nevis Mango Festival, which not only celebrated our island’s rich | cultivation practice but besides showcased our exceptional culinary talent. From nan “For nan Love of Mangoes” showcase featuring complete 50 chefs, to a sold-out Master-class and Supper Club pinch James Beard Award–winner Chef Bryant Terry, nan show exemplified nan type of immersive, high-quality programming we tin connection to MICE and VIP clients.

The Mango Festival demonstrated really we blend gastronomy, culture, and quality into unforgettable experiences—ideal for inducement groups looking for thing beyond nan conventional. These curated, island-wide events—like nan Passport Food Tour, formation barroom crawls, and practice workshops—are conscionable a glimpse into really we tin tailor bespoke programs that entreaty to some nan senses and nan soul. For firm gatherings aliases luxury retreats, Nevis provides not conscionable a venue but a canvas for creativity, connection, and taste enrichment.

But our culinary entreaty extends good beyond mangoes. Nevis is location to a vibrant and evolving nutrient segment that masterfully balances contented pinch innovation. Whether it’s refined eating astatine Golden Rock Inn, barefoot luxury and grilled seafood astatine Sunshine’s aliases Lime Beach Bar, aliases nan lukewarm familiarity of section favorites for illustration Rosie’s, Passion Bar & Grill, and Bananas Bistro, visitors are treated to a rich | spectrum of flavors that bespeak some our practice and our creativity.

Throughout nan year, our culinary civilization is further amplified by signature events that connection immersive gastronomic experiences. The Agri-Expo successful March highlights nan champion of Nevisian nutrient and homegrown cuisine, pinch dozens of section vendors showcasing accepted dishes and artisanal products. During Culturama, our flagship taste celebration, nan Art, Craft & Food Fair becomes a vibrant hub wherever guests tin sample authentic section fare while engaging pinch nan island’s imaginative spirit. Even smaller events for illustration nan Heritage Village Food Fair connection curated, high-touch experiences cleanable for inducement groups aliases firm gatherings seeking meaningful, section immersion.

For planners and clients seeking much than conscionable a gathering destination, Nevis offers a consciousness of place—where cuisine, culture, and productivity travel together successful a mounting that’s some luxurious and laid-back. That’s what makes america not conscionable different, but unforgettable.

Sustainable tourism is simply a increasing privilege globally. How do you envision balancing nan exclusivity of VIP experiences pinch Nevis’s committedness to preserving its earthy charm and taste authenticity?

Sustainability and exclusivity are not opposing ideas—they tin perfectly coexist. In fact, 1 of nan things we pridefulness ourselves connected present successful Nevis is our committedness to value complete quantity. We’re very mindful of our island’s carrying capacity, and that consciousness straight informs really we attack tourism development—especially successful nan VIP and MICE space.

Our extremity is not to pull wide crowds, but to curate intentional, high-touch experiences that align pinch nan values of some our guests and our island. When targeting high-end clientele, we make it clear that what we connection is rooted successful preservation—of our culture, our community, and our earthy resources. Because astatine nan extremity of nan day, that is our product: nan charm of our people, nan integrity of our environment, and nan emotion of exclusivity that can’t beryllium manufactured.

We’re committed to moving pinch partners who stock this ethos—from boutique accommodations that believe sustainability to experiences that item section sourcing and practice storytelling. When we protect what makes Nevis special, we don’t conscionable sphere our essence—we summation our value.

Preserving our island’s authenticity isn’t conscionable a responsibility, it’s our competitory advantage.

Can you stock immoderate strategical partnerships aliases upcoming initiatives you are presently exploring to grow Nevis’s scope wrong nan luxury and business recreation markets?

We’re presently exploring and engaging successful promising conversations pinch high-end recreation consortia, luxury destination guidance companies (DMCs), and world arena planners who specialize successful boutique inducement travel.

With authorities support, DMC partnerships, and a beardown attraction connected sustainability, Nevis is perfectly positioned to invited MICE groups seeking some effect and inspiration.

Plenty of caller developments are successful nan pipeline pinch breathtaking initiatives that we judge will importantly grow Nevis’s visibility and beingness successful nan world luxury and business recreation markets.

This domiciled is still rather new, and pinch it comes nan opportunity to style caller strategies and semipermanent partnerships. Over nan coming months, we’ll beryllium refining our VIP and MICE offerings, enhancing entree done cardinal recreation networks, and curating signature experiences that bespeak some nan elegance and authenticity of Nevis.

These partnerships and programs will beryllium designed to not only grow our scope but to elevate nan full visitant experience.

Let’s conscionable opportunity that 2026 is shaping up to beryllium an epic twelvemonth for nan VIP and MICE sectors here—and we’re only conscionable getting started.

Hospitality is rooted successful experience. How do you scheme to train and empower section hospitality teams to meet nan elevated standards expected by VIP and MICE clients?

I firmly judge that our group are our top asset. Having lived and worked crossed various countries and luxury edifice brands, 1 point has remained constant: nan impermanent acquisition is shaped acold much by nan group they brushwood than by nan beingness spot itself. Whether it’s a five-star lobby aliases a beachside villa, it’s nan warmth, attraction to detail, and authenticity of work that genuinely time off a lasting impression.

For our VIP and MICE clients, this becomes moreover much important. These guests are accustomed to elevated standards and expect personalized, seamless service.

To meet and transcend those expectations, I envision nan creation of a collaborative training and mentorship program—one that pairs section talent pinch location and world hospitality experts. This attack will not only fortify method skills and work etiquette but besides foster assurance and pridefulness successful delivering luxury hospitality nan Nevisian way.

I’ve seen firsthand really overmuch our Federation has grown. Years ago, hospitality whitethorn person been viewed arsenic a fallback option. Today, pinch nan beingness of world five-star brands and an expanding number of locals successful activity roles, nan cognition is shifting. We’re seeing much homegrown talent emergence done nan ranks—from housekeepers to section heads—and that’s a powerful testament to what’s possible.

While we’ve made awesome strides, there’s still much activity to do to build a genuinely sustainable hospitality ecosystem—both successful infrastructure and successful mindset. But I judge nan early is bright, and I’m committed to doing my portion to guarantee our group are prepared, empowered, and proud to correspond Nevis connected a world-class stage.

By investing successful our teams, we’re not conscionable preparing them for precocious standards—we’re giving them nan devices and assurance to present work pinch authenticity, pride, and professionalism. When our guests consciousness genuinely cared for, they return—and they bring others pinch them.

Looking ahead, what is your semipermanent imagination for nan improvement of VIP and MICE tourism successful Nevis, and what would you see a occurrence successful your domiciled complete nan adjacent fewer years?

My semipermanent imagination is for Nevis to go a family sanction among luxury travelers, world executives, and high-end inducement groups. When personification is asking, “Where tin I spell to genuinely disconnect? Where tin I return my squad for a transformational experience? Where tin I find privacy, purpose, and beauty?”—I want Nevis to beryllium apical of mind.

To execute that, we’re focused connected building meaningful visibility, cultivating strategical connections, and creating an ecosystem that allows Nevis to radiance arsenic nan Caribbean’s hidden gem. A spot wherever sophistication meets sustainability. Where luxury isn’t defined by excess aliases opulence, but by personalization, privacy, purpose, and intentionality.

For me, occurrence successful this domiciled isn’t only astir accrued visitant numbers—though that’s surely a portion of it. It’s astir guests having specified rich, authentic, and elevated experiences that they go our top ambassadors. It’s astir generating lasting economical worth for our section communities. And it’s astir ensuring that each impermanent leaves Nevis emotion much connected—to our people, our culture, and our warmth.

If, successful a fewer years, we’ve elevated our world estimation while preserving our essence, past I’ll cognize we’ve done thing genuinely special. That, to me, is existent success.

« Back to Page