Symposium, Strategic Meetups, & Masterclasses for entrepreneurial leaders

PHILIPSBURG:---  Islandpreneur has entered a season of powerful momentum, marked by a series of impactful engagements that demonstrate its leadership at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and island-based growth.

Last week, Islandpreneur’s founder Ife Badejo moderated the inaugural Labor Symposium, facilitating a high-level dialogue on the evolving workforce. During the symposium, she also delivered a powerful workshop on the Future of Work and Education, engaging over 150 stakeholders in preparing for a rapidly changing digital economy. Capping off the week, Badejo guest lectured for a cohort of senior professionals at the Digital Business Strategy & Leadership course, equipping leaders with an ‘islandpreneurial’ mindset and tools to thrive in a tech-driven world.

This week, the momentum continues. On May 22, Islandpreneur will host its second Inner Circle Meetup at Morgan Resort. This is free for Inner Circle Members and $25 for non-members. This meetup is a curated space for visionaries and change-makers to connect and collaborate.

Immediately following, on May 28, is the “From Islander to Investor” masterclass, a strategic training designed to demystify the investment journey for entrepreneurs and professionals ready to build wealth intentionally. This masterclass will be facilitated by financial expert Emilio Kalmera. The goal is to show how to invest in such a way to gain financial freedom in the near future. This is not a get rich scheme but a proven wealth creation strategy.

These events are more than moments—they are part of a movement.

“May is a catalytic month for us,” said Badejo. “As we build toward our official launch of The Islandpreneur Experience 2025 in June, these activities are strengthening the ecosystem and laying the groundwork for a year of transformation.”

The Islandpreneur Experience 2025 will be officially launched on June 27-28 at a special event in St. Maarten that includes the launch of Islandpreneur’s international events, a business matching event with islandpreneurs from other islands, and a showcase of the Inner Circle community. With additional initiatives like AI LAB, the Smart Guide Series, and regional and international events, Islandpreneur continues to bridge the gap between island dreams and global opportunities.

For more information to register, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or connect with us on Facebook at www.fb.com/iamislandpreneur.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Since the incident at Pointe Blanche Prison on May 14, the Ministry of Justice has worked around the clock to stabilize the situation and restore safety to the facility. Daily assessments, coordinated logistics, and collaboration with local and Kingdom partners remain central to our response.

Following the removal of debris from the initial cleaning, a second assessment was conducted by the Inspectorate of Public Health (VSA). This evaluation confirmed the need for specialized post-fire cleaning due to the lingering presence of soot, smoke residue, and potentially hazardous particles. A certified local company has been contracted to carry out the work. To allow for a more efficient and thorough cleaning process, inmates near the affected wing will be temporarily relocated to other safe and enclosed areas within the facility. The group currently held at the Foreign Detention Center (FDC) will remain there. Discussions are also underway with Kingdom partners regarding the potential relocation of female inmates to free up additional space for the males.

While the current situation is not ideal, the Ministry remains fully engaged in managing the situation responsibly. It is firmly committed to the safety, health, and well-being of staff and inmates. All decisions are being made with these priorities in mind.

The Minister has been briefed on the Prison Director’s decision to temporarily suspend inmate rights and privileges for 72 hours. In the interest of maintaining safety and operational stability, the minister has extended it for an additional 72 hours, effective May 19. At the same time, the Ministry is exploring options to reestablish communication between inmates and their families through in-person visits, video calls, or other means. Proposals such as a designated Family Day with limited recreational activities are being considered, with further assessments ongoing.

Inmates with injuries sustained during the incident are monitored and treated twice daily by on-site medical staff. One inmate was briefly transported to the emergency room but was promptly returned, as the treatment provided at SMMC aligned with the care already being administered within the facility. The Ministry has contingency plans in place to manage potential delays and remains focused on restoring stability while ensuring clear communication with inmates, their families, and the court system. While there is no confirmed timeline for full restoration of the affected wing, the priority remains transparency, safety, and a return to normalcy. Timely updates will continue as recovery efforts progress.

French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association is launching updated books about St. Martin wildlife, Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and the French version of the book, Le côté sauvage. The public is invited to celebrate these full-color books, with vivid photos of island wildlife, at the free launch event. It will be held from 9am to noon this Saturday, May 24th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. Free copies of the books will be given out at the launch, thanks to funding from Fondation Air France. People of all ages will also enjoy the Amuseum’s exhibits and gardens.

“We’re thrilled to release the new versions of these books,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “These new second editions have been updated with all the latest scientific discoveries. They are also easier to read, so more people can enjoy them.” 

The new second editions  were created as a companion to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. They were made with support from Fondation Air France, which also funded the free books for this launch event, as well as activity books for students on class trips to the Amuseum. It is part of the Les Fruits de Mer association’s larger Island of Discovery project, funded by Fondation Air France. This major transboundary project was created by the all-volunteer association to boost education about local nature, heritage and culture on both sides of the island.

“We hope all will come celebrate these wonderful editions, and we are very grateful for the support of Fondation Air France who made these books and much more possible!” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “This is our first major project that is bringing books for all ages, museum visits and more to thousands of kids on both sides of St. Martin. We couldn’t have done this without them!”

Since 1992, Fondation Air France has funded close to 1680 projects in 80 countries served by the airline company. It partners with associations on projects that impact children and youth, with a focus on educational, environmental, and humanitarian projects. The foundation is funding the Les Fruits de Mer project Island of Discovery on St. Martin. 

The launch for the new versions of Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and Le côté sauvage ! Les animaux de Saint-Martin will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, May 24th from 9am to noon. Free copies of the books will be given to those who attend the launch. The books are also available as free downloads at lesfruitsdemer.com, and for sale worldwide at amazon.com. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) delivered a compelling presentation at the 2025 Labor Symposium on May 15, raising urgent concerns about the growing threat of unregulated competition to St. Maarten’s small, family-run hotels, businesses and the workers they employ. SMSPA extends sincere thanks to the organizers, WICSU-PSU and WITU, for the opportunity to present these concerns and to be a voice for the voiceless in the small hoteliers and the community. Representing properties with over 140 rooms—some operating for more than 40 years—SMSPA emphasized that these establishments are more than accommodations; they are cornerstones of the economy and community. Small businesses make up 80 to 85% of St. Maarten’s economy, a sector that drives job creation, reinvests locally, and supports the island’s identity. Yet, their survival is at risk. Informal, unregulated operators—those who avoid licensing, taxes, and labor laws—are distorting the market. By bypassing legal obligations, they can charge lower prices, creating an uneven playing field that pressures compliant small hotels to compete unfairly while still bearing the costs of doing things the right way.

This undercutting has real consequences. Many small hotels now struggle to retain staff or grow their teams, not because they lack demand, but because operational costs, especially utilities impacted by fuel price hikes, are rising sharply. SMSPA noted that unregulated competition also destabilizes the labor market by ignoring employment laws, further devaluing work, and threatening job security.

Small properties often lack in-house services and instead boost nearby restaurants and stores by referring their guests to local dining and shopping, fueling the broader economy. These businesses also hire painters and technicians, meaning that the image of unfair competition ripples outward, affecting multiple layers of the local business chain. The very fabric of St. Maarten’s tourism is at risk. Regulated small hotels provide reliability and safety that guests trust. Without proper oversight, the reputation of the destination suffers, and so too does the broader economy. Meanwhile, access to funding remains a persistent barrier. Unlike large enterprises, small operators often struggle to get loans or investment, limiting their ability to upgrade or expand, and job creation disappears. “Small business is the bread and butter of this economy,” said Ms.Jeannia Dupersoy SMSPA Treasurer and Presenter at the Labor Symposium. “When we lose even one, we lose more than a business—we lose jobs, family legacies, and part of our national identity. Our clients are families. Our employees and guests are like family. We’re asking not for handouts, but for a fair and level playing field.” SMSPA is calling on government leaders and industry partners to:

 Enforce existing laws fairly across all operators

 Improve access to training, resources, and financing for small properties

 Form lasting public-private partnerships to support sustainable tourism

 Recognize small businesses as essential to social and economic stability.

“When some play by the rules and others don’t, the future of fair business, decent work, and community pride is at risk.” A strong small business sector means long-term employment, stable incomes, and fewer social issues. It means a healthier, more inclusive economy for all”. It's time to support the small hoteliers and businesses that support our people, “stated Ms.Nzinga Lake, SMSPA President

“Our association will continue to advocate for fairness for employers, employees, support for family-run hotels, businesses, and support for our destination St. Maarten,” stated Ms. Lake / SMSPA President.