From July 21st – 24th 2019, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago was transformed into a digital think tank as CANTO hosted its 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition under the theme, “Transitioning to a Digital Region - Opportunities and Challenges”.
CANTO’s Board of Directors, with expert assistance from its Port-of-Spain based Secretariat, delivered a packed programme that was both relevant and varied in its scope, allowing civil society, young gamers and animators to equally voice their opinions on the digital future of the Caribbean and Latin America, alongside major Regional players such as Cable & Wireless, Digicel and Huawei. In attendance were over 500 participants from the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States of America representing Government; Telecommunications Operators and Regulators; the Private Sector; Academia and Civil Society. High level meetings and roundtable sessions between and among Ministers with responsibility for telecommunications of 12 Caribbean Nations - Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Maarten, Tortola and Turks and Caicos Islands - and private sector stakeholders, opened the door for greater interface between Government and Operators to deepen their partnerships, to allow greater use of digital technologies to access government services, stimulate economic growth and create digitally literate Nations.
The Conference featured a stellar line-up of speakers whose expertise spanned the evolution of the new ICT Ecosystem currently being experienced worldwide. Included in over 30 informative sessions were presentations on Leading in the Digital Age; Advanced AI Insights; Regional Development Trends; Perspectives on Future Technological Advancements; Cyber Security and Data Protection. Dialogue and debate focused on the need for improved collaboration, innovation and communication among all stakeholders to enable the Region to embrace its full potential in the digital arena.
Local and foreign exhibitors added to the high quality of the event by showcasing the latest in state-of-the-art digital solutions for business, professional and private use.
The organisers of CANTO 2019 must be congratulated for meeting and surpassing the challenges to host an international-standard Conference which created a platform for stimulating open discussions and business growth.
CANTO 2020 will take place in Miami, Florida from July 19th to 22nd, 2020.
About (CANTO)
CANTO is recognized as the leading trade association of the ICT sector for shaping information and communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of 8 telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to over 125 members in more than 34 countries. A Board of Directors appointed by the membership directs policies of the Association. This strategy is executed by the staff of a permanent Secretariat based in Trinidad and Tobago.
