TOP-LINE CONFERENCE CENTRE OPENED AT SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER; JAMAICAN BUSINESSES TARGETTED
OCHO RIOS, St Ann; February 16, 2026
(Special to the North Coast Times)
Sandals Resorts has stepped into the market for conferences and events with the opening of a state-of-the-art, luxury conference centre at its property at Sandals Dunn’s River, St Ann.
The hotel’s representatives showed off the facility to leaders in business, the local travel and tour industry, conference organizers and the media on Friday, February 13, 2026. They highlighted its easy access from Kingston and Montego Bay, the state-of-the-art communication tools available and its flexibility to cater to a range of events.
(Sandals Dunn’s River General Manager Kevin Clarke inviting business leaders to come and see)
The eight-thousand-square-foot stand-alone conference centre was named after one of Sandals’ long-serving managers, the late Louis Grant.
The conference centre can cater for up to 360 people, banquet style and up to 500 theatre style. It has three breakout areas and general reception. An added feature is two well-appointed Board rooms, each seating 15 people.
(Part of the audience at the expo)
It brings convention and conference space back to the Ocho Rios area that once dominated the market for local and international conferences.
Sandals is going after Jamaican financial establishments and other businesses, tour companies and incentive planners looking for top-shelf venues for events.
General Manager of Sandals Dunn’s River, Kevin Clarke, identified events they are seeking to attract as including conventions, wedding receptions, graduations and corporate retreats.
(State-of-the-art communication facilities include three video walls)
The resort chain is not tying hotel stay to the use of the conference centre. However, conference organizers can ask for packages that include rooms.
Marketing and Sales Manager Carnel Smith says clients will be quoted a package based on their requests and the nature of the function on which the staff will work with them. He says the packages being offered were “affordable, not expensive” and represented “value for money”
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(A member of the Silver Birds Steel Drum band gets our front with the vibes during the entertainment package)
More than 100 people attended the launch that included a tour of the facilities and of the hotel itself with its 360 rooms, with three different packages.
Nicholas Watson, Director at VIP Attractions Limited, which runs the VIP lounges at the Norman Manley and Sangster International airports, said he was impressed, and the tour of the conference room facilities and the hotel rooms exceeded his expectations. He said the conference space “set the tone for something far beyond what you would imagine.”
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(Shaneika Bolton, senior sales executive, briefs one group on a tour of the conference centre. At right is one of the two board rooms)
Novelette Minott, owner of Nova Events and Travel based in Greater Portmore, St Catherine, said the location, so close to the exit from the Edward Seaga Highway, was perfect, making it wonderful for retreats, meetings and receptions.
(Ready for the reception)
Others in attendance spoke about Sandals’ entry into this aspect of the hospitality business and said the first steps were noteworthy.
The event ended with an entertainment package after a superb buffet.
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