February 9, 2026

Dave Appleby to drive air service development at Fort Lauderdale Airport

Dave Appleby

Well-known aviation expert Dave Appleby has been appointed Air Service Development Director at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Appleby joins the high-growth airport after nearly two decades with ASM Global Route Development Consultants & Routes, where he built a reputation as one of the industry’s most respected air service development specialists. Earlier in his career, he worked with US Airways, now American Airlines.

In his most recent role, Appleby played a pivotal role in supporting sustainable air service development across the Caribbean and Latin America, helping destinations strengthen connectivity and unlock long-term economic benefits.

“I’m deeply proud of the routes launched, the partnerships built, and of bringing first-time airports, destinations and even entire nations into the air service development community,” Appleby said. “Witnessing, over many years, the investment, opportunity and connectivity that followed — and the economic benefits achieved for their respective regions — has honestly been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Carlos Estrada on Carnival’s milestone year and the road ahead

Click HERE for video

During the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) PAMAC Industry Meeting aboard Carnival Glory last month, Carlos Estrada, Director of Commercial Home Port Operations at Carnival Cruise Line, reflected on a milestone year for the brand while outlining what lies ahead. Estrada highlighted key 2025 achievements, including the opening of Carnival’s newest exclusive destination, Celebration Key — signaling the next phase of growth and innovation for the cruise line. Watch the video to hear his full insights and what’s coming next for Carnival

FCCA debuts Leadership Series

Celebrating Clarisa Jiménez, a Puerto Rican and Caribbean tourism treasure

Clarisa Jiménez, President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, was honored in Miami in December as a recipient of the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange Leadership Award in recognition of her more than three decades of leadership in tourism and her contributions to advocacy, strategic development and regional collaboration across the Caribbean hospitality sector.

Although Jiménez was unable to attend the ceremony in person due to a family medical emergency, her remarks conveyed her appreciation for the recognition and the vital role CMEx plays in advancing Caribbean storytelling, dialogue and media excellence. She also acknowledged the collective impact of her fellow honorees and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the region’s tourism industry and people. Listen to her full remarks by clicking the link above.

Quotable Caribbean

“The greatest leaders never stop listening to the stories, the heritage and the talent that define our communities. Hospitality training, storytelling experiences and performances rooted in Caribbean heritage offer visitors an immersive cultural exchange while creating jobs for local talent. It is by highlighting these voices that we truly enrich the visitor experience and strengthen our region. And as the proverb teaches us, ‘Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.’ Our role is to ensure the Caribbean’s stories are told by its own people.” – Beverly Nicholson Doty, CEO, Figment Design

Tink Bout It

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!”

Reggae musician Bob Marley’s words are a spiritual roadmap for staying grounded when the “ride” gets rough. 

His philosophy boils down to three principles:

• Keep it Simple: When you hit a rut, don’t overthink it. Mental clutter makes the climb harder.
• Travel Light: Consciously outrun “heavy” emotions like jealousy and resentment, which are distractions that stall your progress.
• Act on the Dream: Don’t let your goals stay dormant. “Waking up” means moving from passive dreaming to active reality.

It’s a call to intentionality — to stop sleepwalking through life and start driving toward your vision with an open, unburdened heart.

Medical Moment

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is observed annually on February 15 to raise global awareness of childhood cancer and the challenges faced by children and adolescents living with cancer, survivors and their families worldwide. The day also highlights the critical role of communities, health professionals, organizations and policymakers in improving outcomes and advancing equitable access to quality care.

The most comprehensive review of childhood cancer incidence in Latin America and the Caribbean, covering the period 1993–2012, found that the most common cancers among children and adolescents ages 0–19 were leukemia, lymphoma and central nervous system tumors. The authors underscored the importance of sustained investment in cancer registries to improve the quality, representativeness and timeliness of data — a key foundation for effective childhood cancer prevention, treatment and control across the region.

In 2026, ICCD enters the final year of its three-year campaign cycle, with a focus on demonstrating impact — showcasing how the global childhood cancer community has transformed challenges into action and how collective efforts are driving meaningful, lasting change.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.