The final banquet of SITE International Conference 09 presented four diverse and entertaining stages as the evening took off with a cocktail reception on the Festival Plaza, went on to present a formal plated banquet at the Renaissance Convention Center, then spun into a colorful Carnaval Parade around the Renaissance Marketplace and continued late into the night at a Club Lounge after-party.
The evening was a combined effort of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, the Aruba Tourism Authority, ECO Destination Management of Aruba, Elite Production & Entertainment and the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.
The culinary team of the Convention Center served a delicious four course dinner complemented by free-flowing wines, courtesy of the Aruba Trading Company, commencing with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Soup with Chicken Dumplings and Basil, followed by a Southwest Salad drizzled with Chipotle Dressing, a Land & Sea main course starring Filet Mignon in a Cabernet Sauvignon Reduction escorted by Garlic Shrimp paired with Grilled Island Vegetables and Au Gratin Potatoes. The sweet finale presented Lemon Yogurt Mousse with a tropical fruit salsa, just before the beginning of the Carnival Parade.
An excellent group of drummers and percussionists provided the musical background for the cocktail party while Kevin James and his band NBO, entertained during dinner. After the dazzling Carnaval Parade around the Seaport Marketplace, to the sound of two marching brass bands, the excited honor gala participants came back into a trendy, cool lounge-club where they were thrilled to find Abstract Dawn on stage with vocalist Lucre Houtman.
General Manager Paul Gielen welcomed SITE International Conference 09 delegates to the venue on behalf of Renaissance Resorts. He thanked SITE, the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives for allowing Aruba to showcase itself and its many treasures to the top names in today’s travel industry.
Our compliments to the Renaissance team for producing an unforgettable evening, reflecting the island’s high-level of hospitality and service.