MONTEGO BAY, St James — Leading officials from the Penn Relays and the Consular Corps of some members of CARICOM met last week in New York with hopes of strengthening the bond that already exists between the two groups, a release from the Penn Relays said.

The meeting was hosted at the Jamaican Consulate by Honorable Herman LaMont, Consul General of Jamaica and there were representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica and St Lucia.

"We are privileged to be able to count the CARICOM Consular Corps among our distinguished guests and friends at the Relays and look forward to a mutually rewarding collaboration in the years ahead," said Geneive Brown Metzger, member of the Board of the Friends of The Penn Relays and former Consul General of Jamaica was quoted to have said.

"I'm hopeful this meeting with representatives of CARICOM helps strengthen our relationship with the Caribbean schools which come annually to the Relays, and forges new relationships with schools which want to come this year and in the future," said Dave Johnson, The Frank Dolson Director of The Penn Relays.

Not only a track meet, The Penn Relays serves as one of the largest gatherings of the Caribbean community in the United States each year, bringing thousands of people to the Philadelphia area to strengthen community bonds.

"Community relations is one of the cornerstones of the Friends of the Penn Relays, and this first meeting with CARICOM is exciting because it strengthens and extends our community on the international level." said CK Buddington, chairman of the board of the Friends of the Penn Relays.

A highlight for fans in attendance at The Relays each year is the opportunity to enjoy the numerous Caribbean-based delicacies available in the Carnival Village. The Relays will continue to bring in the best that the Caribbean has to offer each year.

" We are pleased to be part of a meeting with such a prestigious group, and hope to further enhance and serve the mutually-beneficial relationships already established with businesses based in the Caribbean," said Mike Felici, general manager of Sports Marketing for Nelligan Sports Marketing and The Penn Relays.

The 2013 Penn Relays will take place April 25-27 at Penn's historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia.