The iconic guitar façade of the Hard Rock Hotel in Davie, Florida, played host to a private reception for Jamaican Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness last Saturday (April 5).

The reception was very well attended by prominent businessmen from the diaspora, including Ricky Wade, who owns 28 McDonald’s franchises, and recently appointed Cabinet minister Audrey Marks, (former Jamaican ambassador to the United States), and Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s Consul General to the southeastern United States.

The logistics planning for the ceremony was done by Karrelle Chang along with businessmen Anthony Barber, a real estate guru and Ricky Wade, with support from the Hard Rock Hotel. 

The evening was upscale and classy, with standing room only, starting with the singing of Jamaica’s national anthem by Steve Higgins.

Acknowledgments were done by Audrey Marks and Oliver Mair.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness used the opportunity to reassure the audience that Jamaica will continue along its path to economic growth despite recent obstacles such as tariffs.