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Maintaining and promoting the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth.

Sustainable Justice

the future role of the law

Commonwealth Law Conference in Nassau, The Bahamas

5th – 9th September 2021

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Join us in The Bahamas for one of the most
prestigious events on the global legal calendar

Set against the spectacular backdrop of crystal seas, picturesque cays, soft-sand beaches and dramatic sunsets, Nassau will play host to legal practitioners from all over the world to debate current issues in the profession, exchange views and share experiences with colleagues.

Guarantee your registration

A transferable deposit of just $150 guarantees you a discounted early bird rate.
Register Now

Become a conference partner

From now until 2021, connect with an international audience of senior lawyers and law firms
Partner Opportunities

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar 
Book & pay your delegate fee in full for your choice of 5-star accommodation

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a Caribbean resort that offers unmatched luxury, perched on the pristine white sands of
Nassau’s Cable Beach.

The Grand Hyatt is stylish and modern, offering stunning ocean views and an epic selection of pools.

Book & pay your delegate fee in full for your choice of 5-star accommodation

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Pay your delegate fee in full and you could secure this view from your room. Enjoy 5-star luxury accommodation for just $179* per room, per night.

In partnership with our hosts, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, we are offering CLC2021 delegates, that have paid in full, 5-star accommodation room rates at an exclusive fee of just $179* per room, a night.

In addition, the resort fee will be waives for all delegates and removed from your final bill.

This special conference room rate is only available until 1st August 2021, after which hotel booking will be at standard Grand Hyatt rates.

If you are joining us from a developing country, book early to take advantage of one of 300 available rooms at $159* per room, per night and the Grand Hyatt is allowing up to four people per room

Register Now

*Exclusive of local taxes

Registration Categories Super Early Bird Early Bird Standard
USD USD USD
By 14th March 2021 from 15th March to 30th June 2021 from 1st July to 31st August 2021
Developed Country CLA Member $1,170.00 $1,530.00 $1,800.00
Developing Country CLA Member $820.00 $1,070.00 $1,260.00
Developed Country CLA Non-Member $1,670.00 $2,185.00 $2,570.00
Developing Country CLA Non-Member $1,170.00 $1,530.00 $1,800.00
Young Lawyer CLA Member (Within 7 Years of Call) $435.00 $570.00 $670.00
Young Lawyer CLA Non-Member (Within 7 Years of Call) $625.00 $815.00 $960.00
CARICOM CLA Member $775.00 $1,010.00 $1,190.00
CARICOM CLA Non-Member $1,105.00 $1,445.00 $1,700.00
Gala Dinner $150.00
Accompanying Person (accompanying a paying delegate) $175.00

**Please note the cancellation policy should the conference be affected by COVID-19. We continue to monitor the global situation and we will refund in full any registration monies paid (minus a $30 administration fee for bank charges), should the conference be cancelled due to COVID-19. This incudes cancellation due to quarantine restrictions and or last minute border closures.

The registration fee includes entrance to the cocktail welcome reception on Sunday evening, all conference sessions, continental breakfast/coffee breaks mid-morning, full lunches, and afternoon tea Monday to Wednesday and Thursday mid-morning.

Accompanying persons will have access to the welcome reception and the opening and closing ceremonies only.

Please note that your delegate fee balance will need to be paid in full before you can book your choice of 5-star accommodation. When payment of your deposit has been confirmed, you will be sent a balance invoice. This will need to be paid before the indicated date, should you want to benefit from the stated price.

Bookings taken after the end of August 2021, or on-site, will be subject to an admin fee of $100 per person for card payments and $150 per person for cash, added to the standard rate.

To explore the raft of measures in place to safeguard delegates’ welfare, please follow the link Grand Hyatt COVID-19 Protocols

For more information on the regulations in place for travel to the Bahamas, please follow the link Travel health visa Protocols

3 simple steps to securing your choice
of 5-star accommodation

All meals are extra – choose from a wide variety of choices. Click here to view the restaurants and menus

Pay your delegate fee in full (and if you pay your deposit within the Early Bird window, you will get a discounted rate for this too!)

1

Once your delegate fee is paid in full, your email notification will contain a delegate confirmation code

2

Call the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar on
+1 242 788 1234
and share your delegate code.
Reservations will advise you of the rooms you have to select from.

3

What’s on and when:

The CLC2021 Programme

The Papers Committee are pleased to share here the conference programme and to announce that the call for speakers has now opened – see details below. Other plans include a Bar Association Leaders’ and Law Society CEOs’ Forum and a Young Lawyers programme which will take place on Sunday 5th September 2021.

Select a day

Event Streams

11.00-11.20 Chair's Introduction and President's Welcome
11.20-12.15 Sustainable Justice – the Role of the Young Lawyer
12.15 - 13.00 Ten Business Skills Each Lawyer Needs
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 Ethics in Action Ethics is integrity; calamity is the test of integrity
15.30 - 16.00 Tea/coffee break
16.00 - 17.00 Things I’d tell my younger self…
17.00 - 18.00 Speed Mentoring
9.30 - 11.00
11.00 - 11.30 Tea Break
11.30 - 13.00
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 -15.30 Session 3
15.30 - 16.30
16.30 - 17.30
9.30 - 11.00
11.00 - 11.30 Tea Break
11.30 - 13.00
13.00 - 14.00 Networking Lunch
14.00 - 15.30
15.30 - 16.30
16.30 - 17.30
9.30 – 11.00 Plenary Panel 1 : Climate rights as human right

Event Streams

8.30 - 9.30 Opening Ceremony
9.30 - 11.00 Plenary Panel:1 Climate rights as a human right
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30-13.00 A1 : Sexism in the legal profession: time’s up
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 A2 : SIFoCC: Judges and Lawyers working together across the Commonwealth to address courts users’ needs
15.30 - 16.00 Tea break
16.00 - 17.30 A3 : Trans border family property disputes
8.30 - 9.30 Opening Ceremony
9.30 - 11.00 Plenary Panel 1 :Climate rights as a human right
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30 - 13.00 B1 : Is democracy sustainable, given the rise of autocracy? Whither the Latimer House principles?
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 B2 : How do we discuss slavery?
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.0 -17.30 B3: What do new lawyers qualifying today need to know
8.30 - 9.30 Opening Ceremony
9.30 – 11.00 Climate rights as a human right
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30 - 13.00 C1 : Judicial education: from Bar to Bench and beyond
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 C2 : What do new lawyers qualifying today need to know?
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30 C3 : Mandatory mediation: can it ever work?
8.30- 10.00 Plenary Panel 2 : Artificial intelligence and the future of the profession

Event Streams

8.30 - 10.00 Artificial intelligence and the future of the profession
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 A4 : Whither the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
11.45 - 13.00 A5 : the death penalty on the Commonwealth - is there progress towards abolition
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 A6 : Corporate Social Responsibility: an oxymoron? Philanthropy versus commercial reality?
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30 A7-: Financial services best practices and the uniform application of standards
8.30 - 10.00 Artificial intelligence and the future of the profession
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 B4 : LGBTi rights in the commonwealth the legacy-of empire and role of the courts in upholding fundamental rights in the 21st century
11.45 - 13.00 B5 : Child protection in the Commonwealth: are we doing enough?
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 B6 : Freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly in political protests
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30 B7 : Can the Law protect our planet?
8.30 - 10.00 Artificial intelligence and the future of the profession
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 C4 : Judicial appointments: developments in process and transparency
11.45 - 13.00 C5 : Judicial oversight and accountability: the rise of the watchdog
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 C6 : In-court advocacy after COVID-19: do we need it at all?
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30 C7 : How do we support lawyers' mental health?
8.30 - 10.00 Plenary Panel 3 : The effects of emergency measures on the separation of powers

Event Streams

8.30 - 10.00 The effect of emergency measures on the separation of powers
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 A8 : Taking the courthouse to the people - will travelling courts bring access to justice ?
11.45 - 13.00 A9 : Lawyers and international money laundering
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 A10 : Corruption and Transparency
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30
8.30 - 10.00 The effect of emergency measures on the separation of powers
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 B8 : Military Law - current issues and challenges
11.45 - 13.00 B9 : Freedom of religion: can protection against persecution justify infringement of the right to equality? The case of Indian Muslims
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
13.00 - 15.30 B10 : Protecting the Fourth Estate: can the law sustain a free press when states threaten journalistic freedom?
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30
8.30 - 10.00 The effect of emergency measures on the separation of powers
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.45 C8 : How do we support lawyers mental health
11.45 -13.00 C9 : Regulation of the legal profession: too much, by too many, for the benefit of too few?
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 C10 : Will your legal practice survive in the 2020s? Essentials for maintaining a successful law practice
15.30 - 16.00 Tea Break
16.00 - 17.30 C11 : Post Brexit trade in the Commonwealth

Event Streams

9.30 - 11.00 A12 : Professionals Make Mistakes – How can they be effectively and affordably insured? And how might you avoid claims?
11.00-11.30 Coffee
11.30-12.30 Closing Ceremony
9.30 - 11.00 B12 : Freedom of movement in the face of public health emergency: lessons from COVID-19
11.00 -11.30 Coffee
11.30- 12.30 Closing Ceremony
9.30 - 11.00 C12 : Public Interest Litigation
11.00-11.30 Coffee break
11.30- 12.30 Closing Ceremony

Speakers

Speakers will be announced as they are confirmed, so please keep checking back for more updates.

Previous keynote speakers include Sekai Holland, The Rt Hon Lord Burnett, Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales and Commonwealth Secretary General, The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC.

To be kept up-to-date, please sign up for our newsletter here

The Convention Centre

Baha Mar Grand Hyatt’s convention centre is a confluence of work and play.

It offers 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including one of the largest facilities in the Bahamas—the 82,000-square-foot Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Centre. This impressive venue has a backdrop of ocean views, lush gardens, and venues accented with Bahamian art.

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The Organising Committee

Brigid Watson

CLA Secretary General

Leah Almeida

Conference Manager

Brian Speers

CLA President

Laurie Watt

CLA Treasurer

The Papers Committee

The committee are selected to reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth and their aim is to design a programme that reflects the latest issues faced by those in the profession, together with topical issues within the Commonwealth sphere.

The overarching theme aims to welcome and embrace the cultural diversity of the member states.

Brian Speers

Joint Chair / CLA President
(Northern Ireland)

Peter Maynard

CLA Vice-President Americas
(The Bahamas)

Mark Woods

Joint Chair / CLA Council
(Australia)

Linda Kasonde

CLA Vice President Africa
(Zambia)

Steven Thiru

CLA Vice President Australasia
(Malaysia)

Laurie Watt

CLA Treasurer
(England)

Santhaan Krishnan

CLA Immediate Past-President
(India)

Kathleen Keating

Lawyer, Adjudicator
(Canada)

Joanna Robinson

YCLA Group Representative
(England)

Brigid Watson

CLA Secretary General
(England)

Rule Of Law Award

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is pleased to announce The 5th Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award 2021

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is delighted to offer this prestigious award established to recognise the outstanding contribution of an individual or organisation to furthering the rule of law.  The winner will be awarded a unique engraved trophy recognising their achievement and offered either a contribution for travel and admission to the Commonwealth Law Conference in Nassau or the opportunity to donate their prize* to a not-for-profit organisation of their choice, whose mission it is to further one or more of the key elements of the rule of law: equal treatment under the law, transparency of the law, access to legal remedy, and independent judiciaries.

At the closing ceremony of the conference, the 2021 winner will be presented with the award on stage by the CLA President and will be recognised on the CLA website.  Past winners of this prestigious award include Ms Robin Sully (Canada), Mr Upul Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Ms. Thuli Madonsela (South Africa) and Ms Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Malaysia). We hope that you will be able to join us in Nassau to congratulate the winner.  It is a really memorable event and there has never been a more important time to celebrate the work and dedication of those throughout the Commonwealth who champion and defend the rule of law.

Terms and Conditions: cash prize of US $5,000 donated to a charity of the winner’s choice or used to support their travel which will be arranged by the sponsor – no part cash payment will be available.

Nomination period now closed

Commonwealth Law Conference 2021 Charity Partners

Hands for Hunger

Based in Nassau, Hands for Hunger aims to ensure that no one goes hungry, with innovative ideas for eliminating unnecessary hunger, reducing food waste and educational programmes.

Visit Website

CLC2021 Charity Partners

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is delighted to confirm that our Commonwealth Law Conference 2021 charity partners are the University of the Bahamas and Hands for Hunger and we ask all delegates to consider donating to these two local charities whose objectives and work are providing platforms for change. All monies raised will be divided equally between the 2 organisations.

University of the Bahamas

Decimated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the University is undergoing an extensive repair programme for which it would be grateful for your support. They are also seeking funds for a shuttle bus to transport students between campus locations. The resiliency of staff and students has been inspiring and an example to us all.

Visit Website

Accommodation

The Grand Hyatt ocean-front resort houses 1,800 rooms, including more than 230 luxury suites with one, two, or three bedrooms. Choose views of our dynamic Fountain Show or the iconic Cable Beach. All rooms include a Juliet or full balcony.

All accommodation is booked directly through Baha Mar Grand Hyatt. Please note that your delegate fee must be paid in full before you can book your choice of 5-star accommodation.

Your delegate fee must be paid in full before the indicated date, should you want to benefit from the stated price.

Here’s how the process will work:

  • When payment of your deposit has been confirmed, you will be sent a balance invoice.
  • Pending payment of your delegate fee in full, not just the deposit, you will be sent an individual accommodation code. This code should be stated when you call Baha Mar.

Please remember that your deposit is transferrable but non-refundable. If at any point you find you cannot continue with your booking, you can pass this to a colleague.

To do this, please contact the registration team

Follow the link to explore the protocols in place at the Grand Hyatt to promote the well being of guests

Accompanying Persons

You are welcome to bring accompanying guests. If you would like them to enjoy access to the welcome reception and to the opening & closing ceremonies, you can buy an accompanying persons ticket alongside yours, for only $175. Sorry, but this doesn’t include conference access or refreshments, but please take a look at the array of restaurants, spa treatments and excursions that they can enjoy.

Register

To register and pay your transferable deposit, please click here. Please note that your delegate balance will need to be paid in full before you can book your choice of 5-star accommodation.

When payment of your deposit has been confirmed, you will be sent a balance invoice. This will need to be paid before the indicated date, should you want to benefit from the stated price. Please remember that your deposit is transferrable but non-refundable. If at any point you find you cannot continue with your booking, you can pass this to a colleague.

To do this, please contact the registration team

Register Now

Developing Countries

We have introduced a discounted rate for those practicing or studying in these developing countries.

When you pay your deposit, if you are not a CLA member but want the developing country rate, you must be practicing or studying in one of the above-indicated developing countries.

Recently Qualified

We have introduced a discounted rate for Recently Qualified.

When you pay your deposit, if you are not a CLA member but want theRecently Qualified rate, you need to be within 7 years of call to the Bar and must provide your certificate or qualification award document.

When booking your accommodation note that the Grand Hyatt is allowing up to four people per room

Commonwealth Law Conference Foundation

Grants available to provide successful applicants with the funds to attend the conference, including accommodation and travel costs.

Applicants are required to write an explanation of the key elements of the conference programme that are relevant to them and provide a breakdown of the costs to attend.

As part of the agreement, successful applicants will also be required to write an article about their experiences of the event within 3 months of the end of the conference, which may be used in CLA publications. The deadline for applications is 31st May 2021.

To apply for the grant, please click on the link here for the application form and full details and conditions

Note that your application will be required to be sent to the Foundation (not CLA) and you will receive a response directly from them.

Partnership Opportunites

Our CLC2021 programme promises to present topics which will interest lawyers, judiciary, academics, and law students. For sponsors, this is a unique opportunity to connect and network with an international audience of senior lawyers and law firms who are at the forefront of their fields of expertise.

As a CLC partner, you will gain significant visibility and demonstrate your support for the Commonwealth Law Association in achieving their objectives. From private practice lawyers and in-house counsel, to government officials, academics and young lawyers, you will have the chance to engage face-to-face with peers through the welcome reception, exhibition, Conference communications and the gala dinner.

To download partnership pack, click here

We have many great options available, but we can also customize a package for you based on your goals and budget for the event. Please contact secretariat@commonwealthlawconference.com to discuss possibilities.

Our Partners

We are delighted to be partnering with a variety of establishments, businesses and institutions to bring alive this vibrant Conference.

Diamond Partner

The Bahamian Ministry of Tourism covers 16 breath-taking island nations and hundreds of cays and islets covering more than 250,000 square kilometres.

With some of the world’s best beaches, waters with exceptional visibility and the third largest barrier reef on the planet, The Bahamas really is a truly unforgettable destination.

Our Other Sponsors

Exhibition Space

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including one of the largest facilities in the Bahamas—the 82,000-square-foot Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Centre.

The conference backdrop offers breath-taking ocean views, lush gardens, and venues accented with Bahamian art.

To download partnership pack, click here

The Bahamas

The Bahamas, an archipelagic country with unique and striking characteristics, comprises of 700 islands, rocks and cays, 30 of which are inhabited. The name Bahamas is of Lucayan derivation, although some historians believe it is from Spanish ‘bajamar,’ meaning “shallow water.”

We invite you to explore the islands of the Bahamas, as they all offer separate and unique products.

To learn more about Nassau and the Bahamas, click here  and download the Ministry of Tourism guide

Visa Information

In advance of booking your flights, please take a look at the visa requirements from your country of travel. If you require a letter of support for your visa application, please contact secretariat@commonwealthlawconference.com with a request for assistance.

Vaccination Information

Travel to Bahamas has become considerably easier over the past few months. If you are fully vaccinated you will not need to present a negative PCR test. You will need to fill out a travel health visa which can be accessed at the following website: www.travel.gov.bs

Travel & Transfers

To get the best fare, most airlines require a Saturday night stay-over, so it is highly recommended to arrive into Nassau as early as Thursday 2nd September and no later than Saturday 4th September 2021.

AMERICAN AIRLINES : CLC delegate discount

American Airlines is offering  all conference delegates a discount on flights in all classes of service to Nassau, from all worldwide destinations serviced by the company. All flights will have a stop in one of American Airlines’ USA hubs.

On registration, all delegates will be supplied with a discount  code to take advantage of this offer which applies to airfares which may already benefit form other discounts.

American Airlines offer a service from multiple US and International destinations feeding into such cities as Miami, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, La Guardia (NYC), Philadelphia and Washington DC from where there are direct flights into Nassau.

Please contact registration@commonwealthlawconference.com for further information and assistance.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

BA has non-stop weekly flights in and out of Nassau from London Heathrow on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday.  CLC2021 begins on Sunday 5th September and our special conference rates at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar begin on Thursday 2nd Sept and extend to check out on Sunday 12th Sept. This lines up perfectly for those who may want to take advantage of a pre or post-conference stay, to enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas islands. From those destination points served by BA, you can connect through LHR to Nassau whether coming just for the conference (arriving Saturday to Thursday) or longer. The BA flight sales often offer fare reductions of around 40%-50%, in both Economy and Business Class.  Keep an eye on ba.com.

BA are currently operating a flexible policy on changes to dates and destinations, with no charges levied for changes to travel arrangements. Should cancellations be required, BA will provide a voucher for travel until April 2023.

QATAR AIRWAYS

For delegates traveling from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Qatar Airways offers a non-stop daily flight from Doha to Miami, connecting with American Airlines for a short 1-hour flight to Nassau.  Qatar Airways also has a daily non-stop service to New York, with a connecting service on Jet Blue to Nassau.  Qatar Airways offers a service from multiple points including the following destinations in Africa, Asia and the Pacific:

AFRICA – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania.

ASIA – India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

PACIFIC – Australia and New Zealand

Keep an eye on qatarairways.com

And if you are traveling from other locations:

AIR CANADA

Air Canada offers non-stop service to Nassau from Toronto and other gateways by Air Canada and West Jet.

BAHAMAS AIR

BahamasAir offers direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES

Caribbean Airlines offers a non-stop service from Kingston, Jamaica to Nassau and also from other Caribbean destinations via Jamaica.

DELTA

Delta offers a direct service between Atlanta and Nassau

JET BLUE

Jet Blue offers a service from Fort Lauderdale and New York.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND UNITED AIRLINES

Southwest Airlines and United both offer a service into Nassau from their US hubs.

 

 

Tours & Things To Do

From pristine beaches, ecotourism and pampering , to watersports, sight-seeing and fine dining, Nassau offers something for everyone.

Sunbound, our approved tours partner, has curated a number of bespoke tours & activities, exclusively for CLC2021 delegates and their accompanying partners.

To be kept up-to-date, please sign up for our newsletter here

Powerboat Tour of Exuma Islands & Pig Beach

Visit multiple secluded beaches, stopping at Pig Beach to swim with the pigs. Including lunch and an Exumas tour from the powerboat.

Click here for more info & booking

Sites & Tastes of the Bahamas

Enjoy sites & bites that cover the diverse history and culture of The Bahamas.

Click here for more info & booking

Power Boat to Rose Island

Discover the real Bahamas on a 40ft custom powerboat, followed by a variety of watersports.

Click here for more info & booking

Historical City Tour

Spend the afternoon reliving the historic beginnings of New Providence Island.

Click here for more info & booking

Dolphin Swim

Interactions include a pet & feed session, a kiss from a dolphin, dancing with a dolphin and more!

Click here for more info & booking

Catamaran & Snorkel Trip

Set sail on one of these impressive vessels, heading to a popular snorkelling destination.

Click here for more info & booking

Shopping Shuttle

Head Downtown and enjoy lunch, as well as Nassau’s famous Bay Street, known for its upscale boutiques.

Click here for more info & booking

SNUBA

SNUBA allows you to explore a three-dimensional world you cannot enjoy while snorkelling. You breathe through a simple to use regulator while your air supply floats on a comforting support raft at the surface.

Click here for more info & booking

Get In Touch

To book your choice of 5-star accommodation, once you have paid your delegate fee in full, please call Baha Mar Grand Hyatt reservations on +1 866-238-8235