Prime Minister, Andrew Holness will serve as keynote speaker and special guest at the 9th Annual American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) Anchor Awards, taking place on November 5, 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

Under the theme “Caribbean Maritime Professionals: The Backyard Advantage,” the evening will honour Marie McKenzie of Carnival Corporation and Richard Scheff of Faegre Drinker, two distinguished leaders in the Caribbean maritime community for their contributions to the maritime, cruise, shipping, logistics, and legal sectors and their commitment to the continued growth of the Caribbean.

ACMF interim board chairman and assistant vice president of government and community affairs at Tropical, Jennifer Nugent-Hill commented, “We are deeply honoured to welcome Prime Minister Holness to the ACMF Anchor Awards. His presence underscores the importance of the maritime sector to Jamaica and the Caribbean and the critical role that education and human capital development play in creating opportunity for our young people.”

As for the awardees, McKenzie is the senior vice president of government and destination affairs at Carnival Corporation, and Scheff is a partner at Faegre Drinker. Both have also been part of ACMF’s support network, reflecting their longstanding commitment to the foundation’s mission.

The Anchor Awards have become a signature gathering of leaders from the cruise, cargo, shipping, logistics, ports, government and maritime sectors. The event celebrates those who have helped build and strengthen the Caribbean’s maritime economy while raising vital resources for the next generation.

Proceeds from the awards will support scholarships and grants for aspiring Caribbean maritime professionals, including future marine engineers, logisticians, captains, port managers, and other maritime and logistics professionals.

ACMF’s mission is to alleviate poverty and transform lives in the Caribbean through maritime education and community development. The foundation provides scholarships, grants and educational resources to students pursuing careers throughout the maritime sector.