Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Tech Beach Retreat’s 10th anniversary (TBRX 2026) set for December 2-5 at Princess Resort & Spa in Jamaica.

The event will also feature Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals and Beaches resorts, alongside global technology executives, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers converging on Jamaica to explore the future of artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology, investment and economic transformation.

Holness’s participation comes at a pivotal moment as Jamaica and the wider Caribbean seek to accelerate digital transformation, attract technology-led investment, and strengthen their participation in the global digital economy.

Celebrating a decade of connecting the Caribbean to international capital, technology, and opportunity, TBRX 2026 is expected to convene approximately 600 participants from across the world.

Among this year’s major developments is the addition of Block, the global technology company behind Square and Cash App, as a partner of Tech Beach Retreat.

Block’s participation will contribute to discussions on the future of commerce, digital payments, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, particularly as emerging technologies transform the movement of money and the ways businesses operate.

Beyond the conference, Block, Square and Cash App are supporting a major education initiative as a part of Tech Beach’s Youth Futures programme. The initiative will expand access to technology and support AI and financial literacy education for young Jamaicans.

The conference is being co-created with regional and international teams from Ernst & Young, while its dedicated FinTech Forum, presented by global payments technology company HPS and CR2, will bring together executives from regional and international financial institutions, payment networks and technology companies.

Major partners include CIBC, NCB, Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Tourist Board and other organisations supporting conversations on AI, instant payments, agentic commerce, digital transformation and emerging investment opportunities.

“Ten years ago we set out to build a platform that would connect the Caribbean directly to the people, ideas and capital shaping the global economy. Having the prime minister join us alongside leaders like Adam Stewart, and welcoming companies such as NVIDIA and Amazon, demonstrates how far that vision has come,” a release from the event organisers quotes Tech Beach Retreat co-founder Kirk-Anthony Hamilton.

“The opportunity ahead is much bigger than hosting a conference. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are fundamentally changing how wealth is created, how businesses compete, and how countries position themselves. The Caribbean cannot afford to simply consume these innovations. We must participate in creating them, attract investment around them, and ensure our people are equipped to benefit. Tech Beach is about making those connections possible and translating them into meaningful outcomes for our region,” he added.

Since its inception in 2016, Tech Beach Retreat has developed into an internationally connected technology, investment and innovation platform, engaging participants from more than 60 countries.

Previous participants have included Sir Richard Branson, Jack Dorsey, Lucy Guo, Jon Oringer, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, alongside executives and investors from some of the world’s leading technology companies.