IT is now official. The organisers of the Smirnoff Dream Weekend have officially announced the dates for this year’s staging — Friday, July 29 – Monday, August 1.

The Dream team says it has partners on board for this year’s staging, some of whom are returning partners and some new. Title sponsor is Smirnoff — one of the brands in the Diageo group. The Diageo group will be the exclusive alcohol partner with many of their brands (Red Stripe, Heineken, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, NUVO) represented in this year’s staging. The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is returning this year, as well as official telecoms partner LIME. Non-alcoholic beverage sponsors include Pepsi, Tru-Juice and and Red Bull. For television coverage leading up to, during and after the weekend, CVM TV will be the official television partner.

As this event continues to grow, the decision was taken this year to do a series of launches and special events leading up to the actual weekend in Negril. These events will take place in New York, Florida and Kingston.

The line-up of events features the favourites — Xtreme Wet and Wild, Smirnoff Flavours, Daydreams, Yush, Smirnoff Xclusive, Twisted Spiritz and Beer Vibes. The organisers note that this year the intention is to go a step further and introduce a brand new event, making it a total of 8 events on the Smirnoff Dream Weekend.

Another addition this year is the offering to our discerning patrons the opportunity to buy into the Diamond Experience. What this gets you is a more personalised service associated with the Smirnoff Dream Weekend. Access to Diamond lounges in each event, special shuttles to take you there from your hotels as well as designated entrances at each event to allow you to enter hassle-free. All of these services, the organisers note, will be provided for you at a slightly higher price, which will be announced at the Kingston launch event on June 1.