Reggae Sumfest 2006 promises to the best yet.

Summerfest Productions, the organisers of Jamaica’s Greatest and the world’s best reggae show, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, announced that it was in the final preparatory stages for the event in July. The event, which has a large local following and a significant contingent of overseas patrons each year, promises to be the biggest and best to date.

At a special ‘Reggae breakfast’ for media held at the Terra Nova Hotel,on April 11, 2006 plans for the staging of the event were disclosed by Jomo Cato, Director of Marketing Summerfest Productions. Mr. Cato said that a plethora of local and international talent would be showcased at the event.

“As a world class event, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest has confirmed a solid group of world class entertainers that help us to deliver our promise of showcasing Jamaica’s greatest, the world’s best. Among the artistes are Capleton, Bounty Killa, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Baby Cham, Macka Diamond, Busy Signal and Wayne Marshall. We are also in the last stage of negotiations with several international stars, these big names will be disclosed at our launch in May,” Mr. Cato said.

Mr. Cato also announced that this year the festival will commence on Sunday July 16 with the all new Vibe Island Beach Party. This, he said, would pave the way for a highly entertaining and explosive series of events.

These events include a free street party on the hip strip dubbed ‘Mad Monday’s Mobay’ to be held on Monday July 17. Dancehall icons Beenie Man and Bounty Killa will be the main acts at the highly anticipated Thursday night event ‘Stormfront – the explosive dancehall night’ on July 20 while the ‘Ignition’ concert will be the pulling card for Montego Bay on Friday July 21. ‘The Summit’ will bring the greatest reggae show to a close on Saturday July 22.

Chairman of Summerfest productions Robert Russell also highlighted the importance of cooperation and support of business interests in Jamaica.  Mr. Russell said, “Jamaican businesses derive a tremendous benefit from Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest and the festival would not be the world-class event it is without the valued support of the business community”

 These sentiments were echoed by Mr. Cato, “The involvement and sponsorship support of the business community is critical to the success of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, we have been very fortunate over the years to receive continued assistance from the hotels and airlines, but this year a key focus of the company is to broaden the community of stakeholders to include all business operators that benefit from the staging of this event,” Mr. Cato revealed.

He estimated that well in excess of $700 million is spent by patrons and the business sector each year during Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest.  Some $500 million of this goes directly into Montego Bay small businesses, while another $100 million is spent on travel services and $100 million is spent on accommodations. This year he said, the organisation has additional philanthropic plans that will assist in building community relations and also offer several non profit institutions much needed help.

Jomo Cato disclosed that Summerfest Productions has budgeted over $100 million to be spent on Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest this year in addition to the expenditure by the event’s major sponsors.

“Our investment in Western Jamaica is quite significant and translates into hundreds of jobs, new business opportunities and several other economic and social spin offs. As organizers of Jamaica’s greatest and the world’s best reggae music festival, we are proud to know that Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is contributing to the development of Montego Bay ‘the Vibes city’ and the country’s overall economic progress,” Mr. Cato said.

He was quick to reveal that Summerfest Productions was working closely with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) to ensure that even more persons are attracted to the festival from overseas through a current promotional and advertising campaign in the major cities of the United States and in the Caribbean.

Carlo Redwood, Marketing Manager Red Stripe, explained that the Red Stripe Big Break talent competition would once again be a significant part of the festival this year and provide additional entertainment value for all patrons.

“Through Red Stripe Big Break competition, emerging reggae acts from all across the island will have a chance to gain prominence by making their debut appearance on the world’s best reggae music stage. This reaffirms our commitment to the development of reggae music and demonstrates its intrinsic value to the festival,” Mr. Redwood explained.