WILLEMSTAD - At the 2024 Festive Summer Gathering of Club17 Curaçao, more than 100 attendees, including representatives from the 27 members and other invited guests, came together to celebrate the year's impressive achievements and launch new sustainable initiatives. Hosted by Corendon Hotels & Resorts, the event marked a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to create a safer, more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Curaçao.
One of the key highlights of the event was the proud announcement that, in just three months, a total of 605,280 single-use plastic bottles had been saved through collective efforts. This achievement far exceeded the initial goal of 500,000 bottles, showcasing the power of collaboration for sustainability on the island.
Another major moment of the afternoon was the launch of the official Club17 Curaçao Water Bottle, designed by Deidre Polonius. This reusable bottle, symbolizing sustainability and cooperation, will help save thousands of single-use plastic bottles each year. Proceeds from the sales of these bottles will go towards supporting future sustainable projects on the island. The first bottle was presented to parliamentarian Giselle Mc William, who praised Club17 Curaçao and emphasized the importance of collaboration for a cleaner and more beautiful Curaçao.
Club17 Curaçao also welcomed 10 new partners who joined the mission for a more sustainable island. These partners include CITI, Curaçao Clean Up, Blue NAP Americas, Future Islands, FLOW, Corendon Hotels & Partners, Sharks & Lions, OBNA Bank, and the Curaçao Tourism Board. They are committed to the organization’s shared vision and will contribute to the continued growth and impact of Club17.
During his presentation, Remco Meulens, Assistant Managing Director of Business Banking at Maduro & Curiel's Bank, expressed his gratitude to Club17 Curaçao for their collaboration and emphasized the bank's pride in being part of a group actively working toward a more sustainable Curaçao. Meulens highlighted several projects supported by MCB that have made significant contributions to the island’s sustainability efforts, inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.
Leidy Grigori, Product & Content Developer at Aqualectra, introduced a new school campaign launched in collaboration with three other Club17 Curaçao partners. This campaign focuses on raising awareness and promoting sustainability among younger generations, highlighting the collective efforts of the members to engage the future generation in the mission for a more sustainable Curaçao.
During the networking session, guests had the opportunity to explore an exhibition showcasing the individual sustainability efforts of Club17 Curaçao partners. This exhibition offered an inspiring overview of the concrete actions and projects each partner is undertaking to contribute to a more sustainable Curaçao.
Another important announcement was the close collaboration between the hospitality sector and the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), aimed at better utilizing knowledge and resources for sustainable tourism development. This partnership is set to pave the way for concrete steps toward more sustainable tourism on the island.
Lara Melkert concluded the event with a powerful message: "Together, we have the strength to bring about the change our island desperately needs. Let’s maintain this momentum and build the Curaçao we all dream of."
The event concluded with a networking reception, where guests continued discussing the presented initiatives and plans for future collaboration. It was a testament to the collective impact that is possible when individuals and organizations unite for a common goal.
Photo: Unveiling of the Club17 Curaçao bottle by designer Deidre Polonius and Club17 Curaçao coordinator Lara Melkert