Inaugural OECS Sustainable Development Movement Surpasses Industry Standard for Virtual Events
SDM 2020 message reaches approximately 14 million persons in 200+ countries and regions across the world
The inaugural OECS-Republic Bank Sustainable Development Movement (SDM) 2020 Summit, held virtually from September 22-24, 2020, has been touted as a resounding success by participants, partners and sponsors.
The three-day summit was rated as a 4-5 star event by 94% of attendees and received a Net Promoter Score of 98%, where the industry standard averages 45% to 60%.
The virtual event successfully created a common space where over 10,600+ Development Partners, Private Sector entrepreneurs and investors, Academia, Caribbean Governments, Civil Society, and individuals were able to exchange thoughts and agitate action around innovative sustainable growth and development of Small Island Development States (SIDS).
Over the three days and the period leading up to the Summit, the resonating message which pervaded the airways was the need for a resilient mind-shift – a key ingredient needed to foster social, economic, and environmental growth, development, and sustainability.
In large part, the success of the summit can be attributed to a comprehensive and strategic approach towards partnership on matters of critical importance to the region and its people. Empowering all strata of society to be a part of the movement towards sustainable development in the OECS Region and beyond.
Partnerships
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further amplified the summit's message and the need for collaborative discussion and action towards sustainable development.
In addition to the stellar support of title sponsor Republic Bank Group, the SDM 2020 secured 100+ partnerships across a wide range of services in the public and private sector.
Ambassadors
SDM 2020 Ambassadors played a key role in attracting participants and generating meaningful and passionate discussion on matters of sustainable development in the lead up to the summit – hosting a total of 32 pre-summit events that reached 280,000+ persons across the globe.
OECS-Republic Bank Business Model Competition
The inaugural SDM 2020 also featured another first, the OECS-Republic Bank Business Model Competition (BMC) – an integral part of the three-day summit as the OECS Commission sought to foster innovation throughout the Region.
The BMC attracted 170 applications from entrepreneurs across the OECS Region, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, The Cayman Islands, St. Maarten, Suriname, Guyana and Barbados.
The Finals of the BMC, hosted by Daymond John, Star of Shark Tank with tremendous support provided by an esteemed panel of Judges, saw three entrepreneurs emerge as winners of the competition: 1st place went to Jody White, CEO and Founder of SlimDown 360 who copped the top prize of USD 20,000; 2nd place to Trevaun Solomon, Founder of Project Jaguar (USD 10,000) and Alex Straun, CEO – Genesis Payment Solutions (USD 5,000).
For more information on the OECS Sustainable Development Movement (SDM) 2020, click the links below!
Keep monitoring the SDM Website for the upcoming release of the SDM 2021 Save-The-Date Flyer!