International Press To Cover EME Awards

Kingston Hotels prepare for brisk business this EME Awards weekend

With just a few days left before the highly anticipated 7th annual EME Awards unfolds in Kingston, Jamaica on March 12th, event founder and CEO Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess said he is excited about the level of interest from international media entities looking to cover the glitzy event this year.

“Last year we had North America’s BET Networks among the international media that covered the spectacular event. This year interest has picked up from the ethnic press in the Jamaican Diaspora, so much so that we are expecting TV, radio and print coverage from entities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Atlanta and Florida” Burgess noted.

Pat Baccas, CEO of Atlanta based Future Movement Radio (1420 AM & 1430 AM), who will make the trek to Kingston this weekend, said she has been promoting the event on her station in Atlanta for over four weeks.

“My listeners are excited about the EME’s this year and I am excited as well! The artiste lineup is impressive with Etana, Lady Saw, Andrew Tosh and Wayne Wonder among the stars I really want to see perform. The fact that rappers Eve and Trina will be honored as “International Friends of Reggae,” has definitely peaked the interest of many of my listeners and made the decision to attend a no-brainer” she noted,

This year over 30 Jamaican top acts will be honored during this year’s EME Awards, with top acts vying for awards such as DJ of the Year, Best New Artist, Vocalist of the Year, Producer of the Year and the new category Artist of the Decade (2001-2010). A powerful contingent of Reggae and Dance Hall acts will also perform including American rappers EVE and TRINA, as well as Jah Cure, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw, Etana, Wayne Wonder, Tifa, Andrew Tosh, No-Maddz, Toya, Kahlil, Leba Hibbert and Dubtonic Kru, who won “The Global Battle of the Bands Competition” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Burgess underscored the financial benefits that Jamaica can derive from the staging of an event of this kind.

“Jamaica stands to benefit from economic activity within Kingston and St. Andrew from persons traveling from overseas to attend the event. Jamaica will also benefit from the thousands of online viewers that will watch the event live online at www.jamaciansmusic.com. This is a new revenue stream for us that has tremendous possibilities. Reggae is Jamaica’s gold! We just need to find creative ways to mine it,” he noted.

With all the buzz surrounding the event, hotels in Kingston should expect to do brisk business this weekend. Checks with the Wyndham, Courtleigh, Knutsford Court and the Pegasus hotels indicate that all have special EME Awards Weekend discount packages available for guests.

Marsha Williams, Corporate & Group Sales Manager at Wyndham Kingston, said her establishment decided to offer discount rates for the weekend because of the international reach of the EME Awards.

“The Wyndham is an international brand and the EME’s reaches an international audience. Our local weekend rates were extended to include persons from the Jamaican diaspora, as well as persons with an interest in Jamaican music and entertainment” she said.

Wyndham Kingston hotel is renowned for its spacious 303 guest rooms with scenic views. Leisure travelers will enjoy an oasis of tropical luxury within a beautiful seven-and-a-half acre of manicured lawns and lush green gardens with cascading waterfalls and tropical fish. Amenities such as a 24hr gym, swimming pool, 24hr Cafecino, Jacuzzi, in-room internet, business centre and poolside dining makes this the perfect option for a trip to Kingston, Jamaica.