GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - As one of the most culturally diverse areas in the country, Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes millions of international visitors each year with open arms. In celebration of June's Caribbean Heritage Month, several events throughout Broward County will be showcasing the style and creativity of designers from this region.
Westfield Broward, located in Plantation, in central Broward County, will host Caribbean Fashion Experience Westfield and Pop Up Experience, June 25-28. The month long schedule is a sanctioned Broward 100 event that celebrates 100 years of culture in Broward County and includes fashion shows, music, entertainment and giveaways. Rich and vibrant fashions by talented Caribbean designers will be featured in the mall throughout the month of June, with pieces available for purchase in the "Caribbean Pop up Fashion marketplace."
In addition, Miss Universe Jamaica Kaci Fennell will host Caribbean Style Week 2015 at Westfield Broward, June 25-28, with signature events including a VIP reception at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel, "Carnival Rocks the Runway," "Epicurean by Design," "Bikinis & Brunch," and live fashion shows. Caribbean Style Week 2015 is produced by Aifos Agency and promotes a collaboration between the Caribbean American Heritage Florida, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and Westfield Broward to highlight Caribbean American nationals and their contributions to the U.S.
"With our unique location in central Broward and close proximity to several hotels, International Airport and Cruise Port, Westfield Broward has evolved into a retail locale where a multitude of cultures organically converge," states Andrew Martineau, director of marketing - Westfield Broward.
Once a quiet suburban area just west of downtown Fort Lauderdale and the beaches, Central Broward has become a new tourism hub - a diverse community with convenient hotels and conference spaces, recreational activities, dining, entertainment and shopping aimed at the multicultural traveler. Westfield Broward recently underwent a $40 million transformation, including a 12-screen Regal movie theater, and amenities such as an updated dining court, family lounge, play space, five new dine-in restaurants, and a year-round art gallery features revolving exhibits by promising local artists.
Westfield Broward is also a site for the "Inside Out" global community art project that is part of the Broward 100 celebration. The candid snapshot display of visitors is now on view at the mall and showcases the diversity in cultures, ages, and religions that enliven the Central Broward area.
"The Central Broward area of Greater Fort Lauderdale is flourishing and has become a hotspot for travelers from the Caribbean," said Albert Tucker, Vice President of Multicultural Business Development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With an established resident community and visitors coming to see friends and family, the Westfield Broward area has become a gathering place with top shopping, dining and entertainment and we look forward to continuing to support the area's growth and transition."
Westfield Broward is making shopping a seamless experience for international visitors to Broward, especially for those from the Caribbean, Central and South America. The Shop2Go program offers ‘In Mall' shipping to anyone wishing to ship their goods back home or to friends and relatives. The process is simple with three-size pricing to Barbados, Nassau & Freeport Bahamas, Trinidad, Costa Rica, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Haiti, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curacao and Brazil. Shipping to other Central American and South American destinations is available, but subject to rate quotations. The Shop2Go program is a part of Westfield Broward's Tourism initiatives along with their Traveler Privileges Card which is available to domestic and international visitors and features special savings at participating Westfield Broward shops and restaurants. Visitors simply present a voucher at the mall management or security office and an out-of-town driver's license or passport to receive the Traveler Privileges Card and list of available offers. Visitors can obtain vouchers at www.westfieldtravelcollection.com, at area hotels or from travel professionals.
