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Governor Bryan Hosting First Community Business Forum As Part of Vision 2040 Economic Development Initiative - Government of the United States Virgin Islands Governor Bryan Hosting First Community Business Forum As Part of Vision 2040 Economic Development Initiative - Government of the United States Virgin Islands Government of the United States Virgin Islands Home Governor Albert Bryan Jr Pressroom Executive Orders The Cabinet Government of the United States Virgin Islands Home Governor Albert Bryan Jr Pressroom Executive Orders The Cabinet © 2026 Government of the United States Virgin Islands Governor Bryan Hosting First Community Business Forum As Part of Vision 2040 Economic Development Initiative Search Latest Comments No comments to show. December 11 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is hosting the first USVI Community Business Forum as part of Vision 2040, the wide-ranging economic development initiative to grow and increase the Territory’s economy through a number of programs to increase business opportunities, build a robust workforce and attract new businesses to the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The USVI Community Business Forum is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, and will take place virtually via Teams Live Event online and is open to all businesses in the Territory, as well as to anyone with an interest in starting a business in the islands.  The theme for this initial forum is “Adapting Business for COVID Normal,” and Governor Bryan will open the conference with a discussion of the Vision 2040 overall economic development concept, workforce development and how to maximize technology to support the growing economy.  Topics that will be addressed during the conference are:  Perspectives on Cruise Line Companies and Their Guests  Presented by Jayne Halcomb, Royal Caribbean Director of Business Development and Destination Development: Caribbean and The Americas; and Elisa Shen, Royal Caribbean Associate Vice President of Onboard Revenue and Hotel Operations.   Perspectives on Overnight Guests (Hospitality Industry)  Presented by Lisa Hamilton, Executive Director of the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association  Perspectives on Tourism and Broad-Based Businesses  Chambers of Commerce, presented by Adriane Dudley of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce; and Ryan Nelthropp, President of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce  Restaurants, presented by James Dixon III, Co-Owner of the St. Thomas Restaurant Group  Marine Industry, presented by Oriel Blake, Executive Director of the V.I. Professional Charter Association; and Kelvin Bailey Jr., President of the V.I. Game Fishing Club  Young Entrepreneurs, presented by Tywreh Nelson, Vision Coordinator/Inventory Manager for UpperClass OG, LLC  USVI Economic Reopening and Restructuring Task Force  Presented by Peter Chapman, Executive Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park; and Yihan Wang, Economic Development Manager at UVI’s Research and Technology Park  Business Hygiene for Airline/Cruise Passengers, Overnight Guests, Residents, Businesses and Vehicles  Presented by Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion  Tools for Businesses  Business Skills and Entrepreneurship Tools Available Through UVI, presented by Dr. Kendra Harris, Dean of the University of the Virgin Islands School of Business  Small Business Development, presented by Ted Gutierrez, State Director of the V.I. Small Business Development Center  V.I. Economic Development Authority Financing Tools, presented by Wayne Biggs Jr., CEO of the Economic Development Authority  Tech-Driven Business of the Future, presented by Peter Chapman, Executive Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park  How to Get Into Business, presented by Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Richard Evangelista; and Denise Johannes, Director of Corporations and Trademarks for the Office of the Lt. Governor  New Online Businesses and Local Alternatives  Shared Workspace, presented by Dr. Jennifer Sequeira, Executive Director of SEAT Caribbean  Startup Business Assistance, presented by Trevonne Homer, Community Organizer Facilitator for SEED-SPOT  Home Healthcare and Medical Professions, presented by Department of Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez; Dr. Janis Valmond, Deputy Health Commissioner; and Wanson Harris, Environmental Health Director for the Department of Health  Event Organizing Within COVID Constraints, presented by Oriel Blake, Executive Director of the V.I. Professional Charter Association  What to Do With Excursions  CHANT, presented by Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director of CHANT  National Park Service, presented by Elba Richardson, Commercial Services Manager for the V. I. National Park  Transportation Options, presented by Shane Benjamin, Executive Director of the V.I. Taxi Cab Commission Considerations for Ensuring Access to Individuals with Disabilities  Presented by Julien Henley Sr., Territorial ADA Coordinator  There also will be a Question & Answer session following the presentations, and participants also can type questions during the presentations.   To attend, register to receive the link to the virtual conference by RSVPing to cbf@go.vi.gov . Please include your name, email, business name and field of business, and interested field of business (if interested in starting a business).  ###  TAGS No tags CATEGORIES Uncategorized Previous Next Comments are closed © 2026 Government of the United States Virgin Islands.