On a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at the Cascadia Hotel, close to 100 guests gathered for the inaugural Sip & Speak, a sold-out empowerment event designed to help attendees unlock their voices, build confidence, and network with purpose.
And what a phenomenal experience it was.
From laughter-filled Activities to vulnerable open-mic moments to ice cream infused with just the right amount of alcohol—this was no ordinary workshop. This was Sip & Speak—where transformation meets celebration.
A Toast to Our Sponsors
Before anything else, a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors who made Sip & Speak possible:
- Gold Sponsor: Bmobile, keeping us connected and plugged in.
- Viva Sparkling Water, adding sparkle to every sip.
- Guardian Group, supporting confidence with security.
- Vice Cream, our indulgent twist with alcohol-infused ice cream that had everyone talking.
- Voyant Media Solutions Limited, ensuring the moments live on beyond the day.
And our incredible media partners:
Gayelle the Caribbean, M&E TV, and DJ Rene—thank you!
Welcome to Sip & Speak
The afternoon began with a warm welcome from the charismatic Jason Williams, our Master of Ceremonies, who got everyone smiling with a creative icebreaker—“Two Truths & a Sip.” Guests connected and giggled through the game, setting a relaxed tone that made everyone feel at home.
We were serenaded throughout the event by the delightful sister duo Adaiah and Ariella Ramjattan, who performed on steelpan and violin, respectively. Their music brought elegance and Caribbean soul to the air, creating a truly elevated ambiance.
Samantha J. Best: Speak with Power, Show Up with Presence
After guests settled in, the stage belonged to Samantha J. Best—a nationally recognized television personality, award-winning TV producer, and your favorite communication Skills coach.
With her signature warmth and wit, Samantha reminded us all that presence is not about pretending but about preparing. Her keynote focused on helping professionals feel confident, authentic, and grounded when speaking—whether at the boardroom table or with a mic in hand.
From her stories behind the scenes of live television to her practical tips on managing nerves, Samantha’s talk resonated deeply with attendees from all walks of life.
Real Talk, Real People
Sip & Speak wasn’t just about sitting and soaking in tips—it was about engagement. Our audience didn’t hold back:
- 🔊 Sip & Speak Moments: Guests took the mic to share personal stories and lessons from their journeys—real, vulnerable, and uplifting.
- 🎤 Live Coaching: Lucky guests found secret envelopes under their seats and joined Samantha on stage for live coaching—think “American Idol meets TED Talk,” minus the judging. These brave souls earned the crowd’s admiration and walked away with unforgettable feedback and prizes.
- 💬 Ask the Expert: Questions came pouring in—Covering everything from stage fright to imposter syndrome. Samantha answered them all with empathy and authority.
Celebrating the Stars of Sip & Speak
As if the event needed more sparkle, we closed with the Sip & Speak Awards, recognizing some incredible standouts in our crowd:
🏆 “Best Walk-Up Energy” Award – Juma
For approaching Samantha like he already belonged in her circle.
👠 “Most Stylish Statement” Award – Sherry Ann
Because fashion is a form of communication, she said it loudly and proudly.
🦸🏽♀️ “Power Pose Pro” Award – Nadia
For striking that superhero stance like a boss. Amy Cuddy would be proud.
🔈 “Unmuted” Award – Richard
For leaving fear behind and letting confidence take center stage.
⭐️ “Star Participant” Award – Ingle
For Doing it All – You Name it!
🎤 “Command the Mic” Award – Aaliyah For owning the mic like a seasoned pro.
🎟 “Determined to Sip & Speak” Award – Arielle
Because “sold out” didn’t stop her from showing up!
Bonus Surprises
What’s an empowering event without a few giveaways?
🎓 Six guests won complimentary seats to Samantha’s upcoming Masterclass on May 3rd—an opportunity to dive deeper into presence, voice, and public speaking.
🎁 Door prizes added even more excitement—surprises entered lucky hands.
📱 And the grand door prize? A dual SIM smartphone, claimed by none other than Karlene! Her joy lit up the room—and her new phone will keep her connected and confident.
Networking with Presence
To end the evening, we returned to cocktail mode for the ‘Power of Presence’ networking challenge. With music by Adaiah and Ariella floating through the air, new connections were made and Instagram handles were exchanged.
There was no rush to leave—just the warm buzz of an evening well spent.
Final Cheers: What Comes Next?
From the sips and bites (let’s not forget those Vice Cream samples and crisp Viva Sparkling Water tastings) to the heartfelt stories and bold new voices—Sip & Speak was an absolute hit.
And if you missed it, here’s your gentle nudge: FOMO is real.
Tickets sold out days before the event. So when we say we’ll be back—trust us—you’ll want to grab your spot early. This isn’t just an event—it’s a movement.
To our generous sponsors—thank you.
To our vibrant guests—thank you.
To our amazing team, musicians, and partners—thank you.
And to every future speaker, leader, and change-maker—we’ll see you at the next Sip & Speak.
Until then, keep sipping, keep speaking, and keep showing up.
SIP AND SPEAK was just excellent , we were able to get a short in person training on the spot as well as a lot of other information to help you overcome fear, public speaking and boosting your confidence, it was an event where everyone was dressed to impress, the event was classy and entertaining. including a network portion was definitely the cherry on top, i had a great time and would attend the next Sip and Speak
Thank you so much for your kind words! 💛 We’re thrilled you had a great time and found the experience empowering and entertaining. Sip & Speak was designed to bring together confidence, community, and connection—and it means the world to hear that it resonated with you. We can’t wait to welcome you to the next one—bigger, bolder, and even more unforgettable! ✨🎤 #SipAndSpeakFamily
I enjoyed the event. It was to the point and I got what I came for which were the Tools to control voice, body language and exude confidence.
Worth Attending another.
Thank you so much for sharing that! Knowing you walked away with exactly what you came for means a lot. Helping others feel more in control of their voice and presence is why Sip & Speak was created. I can’t wait to welcome you again at the next one.
This was by far the best ever speaking and training session that i have attended in my broadcasting and telecommuncations career of over 11 years, both locally, regionally and internationally.
Straight to the point and having 2 of the best regional media personalities (jason Williams and Samantha best) share their secrets from years of experience.
thank you samatha and jason for your valuable coaching and helping trinidad and tobago nationals pick up their rightful place in society and helping the caricom shine.
Wow Richard—thank you so much for that incredibly powerful message. Coming from someone with over a decade in broadcasting and telecoms across the region, your words truly mean the world. 🙏🏽
It was an honour to stand alongside Jason and share insights that have shaped our own journeys. The real reward is seeing professionals like you feel even more empowered to lead, speak, and represent our region with pride.
Here’s to Trinidad and Tobago—and CARICOM—continuing to shine brighter. I can’t wait to connect again at the next one!