KINGSTON, Jamaica — The stage is set for the inaugural staging of IMPACT x Mystique 2026, a new flagship marketing conference by Mystique Integrated, taking place April 30 and May 1 at the AC Hotel Kingston.

In a release on Sunday, organisers said the event is designed as a platform for Caribbean intelligence to take centre stage, exploring how brands can grow within regional realities while remaining competitive globally.

At its core, IMPACT is anchored in a critical shift. The Caribbean’s cultural influence must now be matched by the systems, strategy and commercial discipline required to convert that influence into sustained economic growth.

Across 46 sessions spanning keynotes, panels, fireside conversations and workshops, the conference will explore how Caribbean intelligence informs brand expansion, how artificial intelligence is reshaping decision-making and how integrated, performance-driven marketing delivers measurable outcomes.

The programme brings together a curated mix of global expertise and regional leadership. International speakers include Tyrona Heath of LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, Shanelle Gayle and Fanta Dicko of Google, Sasha Lucas of JPMorgan Chase, Kara Kia of Hearst UK, Brittany Johnson of Meta and Tom Sanville of Stagwell Group, among others shaping the future of marketing at the intersection of data, creativity and commerce.

Equally central is the integration of local industry leadership. Agencies and organisations from across the region, including Market Me Consulting Limited, Grapevine Marketing and Associates, Garrick Communications Limited, NMD Inc, DRT Communications Limited, The LAB Limited, Leep Marketing, and Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi (Trinidad & Tobago), will actively contribute to the programme, ensuring the conversations are grounded in execution and reflective of real market dynamics.

Presenting partners Main Event Entertainment Group, iPrint Group and M-One Productions are joined by a strong network of sponsors, including Scotiabank, RJRGleaner Communications Group, The Jamaica Observer Limited, The Jamaica Tourist Board, Red Stripe, CB Foods and National Baking Company.

IMPACT has been designed as a high-value, flexible experience. Attendees will engage across three simultaneous content tracks: the main stage, launch pad and control room, allowing for personalised agendas across both days. Workshops within the control room will be repeated on day two to expand access to limited-capacity sessions.

Conference goers will also receive exclusive access to IMPACT TV, Mystique’s OTT platform, providing post-event access to recorded sessions. This will allow attendees to revisit standout conversations and catch sessions they were unable to attend live, extending the value of the experience well beyond the two-day programme.

For Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mystique Integrated, Valón Thorpe, the conference represents a defining moment for the region.

“The response to IMPACT has been immediate and decisive. The level of support from partners, speakers and the wider industry tells us something very clearly. We are ready for a higher standard,” Thorpe said. “This is not about a single event. It is about a collective shift. The Caribbean has always had creativity and cultural influence. What we are building now is the structure, the thinking and the commercial discipline to match it.”

“IMPACT is the beginning of a platform that brings the region together, aligns us with global standards and pushes us forward as a unified force. This is how we raise the bar, together,” Thorpe added.