At Club17 Curaçao’s 2024 Festive Summer Meeting, over 100 guests, including representatives from the organization’s 27 members and other invitees, gathered to celebrate significant sustainability achievements and launch new initiatives. Hosted by Corendon Hotels & Resorts, the event highlighted the island’s ongoing efforts toward a safer, more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future, under the leadership of Lara Melkert, coordinator of Club17 Curaçao.
The event celebrated a remarkable achievement: within just three months, Club17 Curaçao’s collective efforts saved 605,280 single-use plastic bottles, far surpassing the original goal of 500,000. This success emphasizes the power of collaboration in advancing sustainability in Curaçao. A key moment of the event was the launch of the official Club17 Curaçao Water Bottle, designed by Deidre Polonius. This reusable bottle, symbolizing sustainability and partnership, aims to reduce thousands of single-use plastic bottles annually. The proceeds will fund future sustainable projects on the island. The first bottle was presented to MP Giselle Mc William, who praised Club17’s collaborative work towards a cleaner and greener Curaçao.
Club17 Curaçao also welcomed 10 new partners to its mission, including CITI, Curaçao Clean Up, Blue NAP Americas, Future Islands, FLOW, Corendon Hotels & Partners, Sharks & Lions, OBNA Bank, and the Curaçao Tourism Board. These partners are committed to advancing the organization’s vision and enhancing its impact.
Remco Meulens, Assistant Managing Director of Business Banking at Maduro & Curiels Bank, expressed his gratitude for Club17’s efforts and emphasized the bank’s pride in being part of an organization actively contributing to a more sustainable Curaçao. He showcased several MCB-supported projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Leidy Grigori, Product & Content Developer at Aqualectra, introduced a new school campaign, a collaboration between four Club17 Curaçao partners, aimed at raising awareness and promoting sustainability among younger generations. This initiative highlights the collective commitment of members to involve future generations in building a sustainable Curaçao.Guests were also treated to an exhibition showcasing the individual sustainability efforts of Club17 Curaçao members, providing an inspiring look at the real actions taken to make a lasting difference on the island.
Another major announcement was the strengthened partnership between the hospitality sector and the Curaçao Tourism Board (CTB), which aims to leverage knowledge and resources for sustainable tourism development, setting the stage for tangible progress in this critical area. Lara Melkert closed the event with a powerful message: “Together, we have the power to bring the change our island needs. Let’s maintain this momentum and build the Curaçao we all dream of.”
The event concluded with a networking reception, offering guests the opportunity to discuss the initiatives and explore future collaboration. It served as a testament to the collective impact that can be achieved when individuals and organizations unite for a common goal.
