Over the last three years, Throp-X Investment Conference has made Negril, Westmoreland, the stage on which it has shone a spotlight on Jamaica’s real estate and investment landscapes.

The conference will return to the western parish for its fourth staging, having grown into a six-day action-oriented experience designed to connect locals and the Jamaican Diaspora with real estate developers, bankers, mortgage institutions, and government agencies.

Since its first instalment in 2022, the event has generated over US$100 million in deal flow, including home purchases, mortgages, and even the refurbishment of a boutique hotel in Negril by attendees who first met at the conference. With expanded property tours, a Getting Business Done Day, and deeper networking opportunities, the 2025 edition promises to be the most practical and impactful yet.

Founder of Throp-X Investment Conference Winthrope Wellington shared the transformative story of the power of Jamaicans at home and abroad working together to build the island’s future. He recalled how the event emerged from an engagement with his digital community in 2022.

“The idea for Throp-X was born during one of my weekly live streams when members of the Throp community suggested that we do a meetup,” said Wellington.

“As we talked it through on stream, I thought to myself, ‘Instead of hosting an event just to meet me, how could I give real value back to the people who made the effort to come?’ That’s how the seed was planted.”

That seed quickly germinated and grew into a platform where Jamaicans at home and abroad could connect, learn, and act. By leveraging the trust built through Wellington’s podcast interviews with real estate and investment professionals, attendees were able to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations.

“There was a para-social relationship in place, so a sense of trust had already been built before the event. That trust only grew stronger in person, and it allowed us to skip over the most basic questions and get straight into meaningful discussions,” the founder explained.

Beyond economics

The results of Throp-X have been remarkable. Attendees have purchased homes and land, secured mortgages, relocated to Jamaica, and even partnered to refurbish a boutique hotel in Negril.

“One of the most visible success stories is a group of strangers who met at the conference and later came together to purchase and refurbish a boutique hotel in Negril,” Wellington highlighted.

Still, the impact goes beyond property investment, as personal connections have created opportunities for participants.

“Many of our speakers have landed contracts and jobs that they otherwise may not have had access to. On a more personal level, lifelong friendships have been forged, and remarkably, we’ve even seen two marriages come out of Throp-X in consecutive years,” he said.

For the Throp-X founder, these results highlight the unique ecosystem that Throp-X has created in its three years of existence—an environment where investments, careers, and lives are transformed through meaningful interactions. Moreover, the conference is making a meaningful contribution to the Jamaican economy by connecting both locals and the Jamaican Diaspora with public and private sector services to boost investment.

“Throp-X is an economic powerhouse that contributes to Jamaica’s economic and social development by serving as a bridge between the diaspora, Jamaica’s financial institutions, government agencies, and private sector leaders. This connection not only drives capital inflows but also expands the knowledge base for doing business in Jamaica responsibly,” Wellington reasoned.

Beyond economics, the conference taps into the pride and commitment of Jamaicans abroad.

“When members of the Jamaican diaspora invest back home, it carries a level of pride and commitment to community that is different from a traditional foreign investor. Even the presence alone of a returning resident has an intangible ripple effect, bringing with it new ideas, global perspectives, and an energy that uplifts the community,” he explained.

Throp-X: The movement

Networking remains central to the Throp-X experience. Attendees can connect at property tours, live Q&A sessions, curated dinners, mixers, and the closing yacht cruise.

“Many of the real estate panellists and industry professionals will be staying for the entire week, giving attendees multiple touch points to connect, build trust, and explore potential deals,” the conference organiser stated.

For him, the message to the media and prospective attendees is clear: Jamaica continues to be open, ready, and full of possibilities. “Throp-X is not just a conference; it’s a movement that connects people who believe in Jamaica’s future and want to play an active role in shaping it. Whether you’re from the diaspora, living locally, or simply curious about what Jamaica has to offer, Throp-X gives you the clarity, confidence, and connections to make informed decisions,” he said. “It’s about more than investments; it’s about building a legacy and contributing to the long-term growth of the island.”