ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) has concluded its 35th Anniversary celebrations with the successful staging of its inaugural PortVision Conference 2026 and a milestone anniversary gala that saw the appointment of the Authority’s first-ever Ambassador.
Held October 1–2 at Maria’s by the Sea under the theme “Innovation and Sustainability in Seaport Operations,” PortVision brought together industry leaders, government officials, regional partners, port professionals and members of the business community for two days of discussions on the future of the Territory’s maritime and ports sector.
The inaugural conference examined issues central to the continued development of the BVI’s ports, including innovation and technology, security, tourism, customer experience, trade, business development, resilience and sustainability.
Discussions also highlighted the role of ports as key economic enablers and the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, human resources, strategic partnerships and modern solutions to meet the changing demands of the maritime industry.
According to the Authority, PortVision was established as a platform for industry stakeholders to exchange ideas, share expertise and identify opportunities to advance seaport operations in the Virgin Islands.
The successful launch has also established a foundation for PortVision to develop into a regional forum focused on port development, maritime innovation and sustainability.
Anniversary Gala
The anniversary celebrations culminated on Saturday, October 3, with the BVIPA’s 35th Anniversary Gala at Prime Restaurant.
The event brought together staff, stakeholders, partners and invited guests for an evening dedicated to celebrating the Authority’s history, recognising the contributions of its people and looking ahead to its future.
Two former senior officials were specially recognised for their service to the organisation: Gene Creque, former Deputy Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, and Myrthlyn Hodge, former Financial Comptroller.
Their recognition formed part of the Authority’s commemoration of individuals who have contributed to its development over the past 35 years and helped establish the foundation upon which the organisation continues to build.
Reba Evans Named First BVIPA Ambassador
The gala also marked a historic first for the Ports Authority with the announcement of Reba Evans as the first-ever BVI Ports Authority Ambassador.
In the role, Evans will represent the Authority at selected BVIPA conferences, events and engagements throughout the year, helping to promote the organisation and strengthen its connection with the wider community.
As part of her appointment, Evans received an all-expenses-paid cruise for two.
The new Ambassador initiative adds another dimension to the BVIPA’s community engagement efforts, providing an opportunity for its Ambassador to serve as a representative of the Authority’s brand, programmes and activities.
Together, the PortVision Conference and 35th Anniversary Gala provided the culmination of a week of activities marking the Authority’s milestone anniversary — celebrating its history and people while creating new platforms for its future.
As it moves beyond its 35th year, the BVI Ports Authority said it remains committed to innovation, service excellence, strategic partnerships and investment in its people, while continuing to transform the Territory’s ports in support of the economic and social development of the Virgin Islands.