Tourism Minister Mourns Passing of MoBay Convention Centre General Manager Dittie Guise

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 06, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Dittie Guise, General Manager of the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Guise, who died on Tuesday March 06, 2018, has held various senior roles within the hospitality industry across the globe. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority; General Manager at SMG-Greater Columbus Convention Center; and President/General Manager at Homkar Inc-Kansas City Market Center.

“The tourism family today mourns the loss of a really outstanding public servant, conference organiser and indeed one of the finest convention centre administrators in these parts. We mourn her passing and wish for her family and loved ones – especially her husband Kenneth, the entire family of SMG, as well as the staff of the Montego Bay Convention Centre – God’s blessing and guidance during this very difficult hour. We hope indeed that her soul will rest in peace,” said Minister Bartlett.

Guise was highly-respected by the staff at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, who have shared that she was very instrumental in the start-up and growth of the facility since April 2011.

“Coming back to Jamaica was in fact for her a great moment of excitement and a great opportunity to give back to her native country. But, more importantly she took pride in managing a facility which is new to this country – we have never had a convention centre of this size magnitude,” said the Minister.

He also lauded Guise’s contribution to the success of the UNWTO, Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, which was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre last November.

“The good results that we had last year for the first ever global conference on job creation and inclusive growth and public private partnership, was a full testimony of how much Dittie has done and how far we have come in terms of positioning ourselves as a centre for large events. What she did was to really give a presence to Jamaica as a destination where big meetings, conventions, exhibitions and cerebrations of all kinds, could in fact take place. Thanks to her contribution, we have witnessed how the Convention Centre has morphed into a really spectacular national facility, as well as a global location where big meetings and large events are being held,” he said.