Booster Shot: International Soca Monarch CEO Quits

Three months to go till Carnival in Trinidad, but the bacchanal has begun early!  Gregory Fernandes, resigned as CEO of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation yesterday.  That's the organization responsible for producing the International Soca Monarch, Groovy Soca Monarch and Schools Soca Monarch competitions each year.  

It's pretty obvious that there has been some serious tension among the executive ranks of the CPF lately.  His resignation comes rather suddenly, following a press release issued from the Caribbean Prestige Foundation that distances the organization from comments made by Ferndandes earlier this week.  

At a news conference on Tuesday, Fernandes made comments expressing displeasure with the government's policy that prohibits the staging of major events at large national sporting facilities like the Jean Pierre Complex and Hasely Crawford stadium.  Fernades called on the government to reverse its policy because there's nowhere else big enough to host an event like Soca Monarch. He also criticized the new Academy for the Performing Arts.

Well, one would expect the organization to have his back right?  As if!  Nah bredrin, these people didn't stall at all.  Insead, they issued a release stating that the Foundation was not associated with the news conference hosted by  Fernandes, where both promoters and artistes alike protested the lack of suitable venues. The CPF press release praised government initiatives...and kinda hung Fernandes out to dry.  As a Scorpio, I rate loyalty so this one gets a great big *suck teet* and *eyes roll* from me! 

Although the lack of confidence from his colleagues was enough to cause him to close that door, Fernandes says it's not the end of him and Culture in T&T.  He has been with CPF since the very beginning and is one of the key players behind starting the Soca Monarch event in Trinidad and Tobago.

Well, the show will definitely go on.  We're just not sure where, and who will be at the helm.

Love and Soca!

Nurse Karen