Aruba Shines at U.S. Trade Shows and Culinary Events Spring 2025
Aruba’s tourism representatives made a powerful impact this spring across the Northeastern U.S., participating in a series of high-profile trade shows, advisor events, and culinary competitions. With dynamic destination presentations and elite culinary representation, Aruba reaffirmed its position as a top-tier luxury and leisure destination in the North American market.
From Long Island and Connecticut to New Jersey and Texas, the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and its partners engaged with hundreds of travel advisors and consumers through tailored experiences, product training, and unforgettable flavors.
LITAA and WITS Spring Trade Shows Connect Aruba With Key Advisors
In collaboration with LITAA and WITS, Aruba participated in the annual ID Vacations Spring Trade Show and Dinner in Long Island, New York. The event welcomed approximately 60 luxury-focused travel advisors and over 25 high-end travel suppliers.
Representing Aruba at the event:
- Natasha Lee Soy, Aruba Tourism Authority
- Deborah Traussi, De Palm Tours, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba
- Jeanine Gilchrist, Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
- Lissy Lampe, Ceremonies & Celebrations
- Steve Fuentes, First Class Experience
- Raynedrick Koolman, Pelican Adventures
“It was a highly productive evening with engaged advisors from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey—all eager for updates on luxury experiences in Aruba,” said Natasha Lee Soy.
Lunch & Learn Sessions and Regional Advisor Events Expand Aruba’s Reach
Beyond the Long Island showcase, Pelican Adventures’ Raynedrick Koolman hosted a focused Lunch & Learn in Rocky Hill, specifically curated for Cruise Planners advisors. The momentum continued with Aruba’s participation in:
- ASTA’s Meet Your Rep Evening in Connecticut
- Meet Your Rep Rochester Event
- A private ATA wine tasting event at a New York winery, organized by Liliana Mancini, ATA’s Canadian and Upper New York representative
- CCRA’s May meeting at Total Wine in Cherry Hill, NJ, attended by 20+ advisors—many already Aruba Certified Experts
Each of these sessions emphasized Aruba’s new hotels, revamped restaurants, and elevated experiences for luxury travelers.
Looking for more on Aruba’s advisor training? See how Aruba Ecuador launched a national sales contest for ACE agents.
Aruba Impresses at The Woodlands Wine & Food Festival
Down South in The Woodlands, Texas, Aruba delivered a culinary knockout at this year’s Wine & Food Week. Highlights included:
- “Crushing It! With Cocktails”, featuring Papiamento Rum, a beloved Aruban spirit
- Tastings at Sips, Suds & Savor and the Grand Tasting, spotlighting Aruban chefs
- Representation from Chef Teddy Bouroncle and Chef Ever de Peña, who competed in the elite Chef of Chefs competition
Among 36 competing chefs, Chef Ever de Peña placed third with his signature dish:
Asada Negro with cashew purée and shaved truffles — a bold flavor fusion rooted in Caribbean culinary artistry.
“Masha pabien to Chef Ever for putting Aruba on the culinary map in Texas,” said an ATA team member at the event.
These strategic appearances reflect Aruba’s active, on-the-ground approach to promoting the destination across key U.S. markets. Whether it’s educating advisors in Long Island or serving gourmet dishes in Texas, Aruba is not just showcasing travel—it’s creating memorable, shareable experiences that keep the One Happy Island top-of-mind.
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