Aruba Chamber’s Annual Business Event 2026

Aruba Chamber’s Annual Business Event 2026🌍

𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗯𝗮’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Join the conversation on Aruba’s path toward a more sustainable and diversified future.

This year’s event will center around the theme: “Beyond Tourism: Building Aruba’s Next Economy” – From Volume to Value, From Dependence to Diversification, aiming to foster meaningful dialogue on key topics such as economic diversification, managing Aruba’s tourism footprint, and aligning with the Aruba 2035 Vision.

🎟️Tickets available now for $120 on PAY.AW

📞 Contact us at: 5821566 ext. 342/335/330 | e-mail: businessinfo@arubachamber.com

Speakers

Tony van Veen - CEO DIY Media Group (Disc Makers / BookBaby / OnPress)

Tony van Veen is an Aruban-raised entrepreneur and CEO of DIY Media Group, parent company of Disc Makers, BookBaby, and OnPress Book Printing. Over nearly four decades, he helped grow the company from a small regional vinyl pressing plant with 30 employees into a global media manufacturing and distribution group that, at its peak, generated over $250 million in annual revenue and served more than one million independent artists worldwide.

A graduate of Colegio Arubano and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Tony has led his businesses through multiple waves of technological and economic disruption — from vinyl and cassette tapes to CDs, downloads, streaming, and today’s resurgence of physical media. Along the way, he helped lead the company’s expansion into digital music distribution, book self-publishing, and commercial book printing, while also negotiating major acquisitions, private equity transactions, and the growth and eventual sale of leading digital music distributor CD Baby.

While he has spent most of his professional life in the United States, Tony has remained deeply connected to Aruba. He spends several months a year on the island, where his family roots go back generations, and brings a perspective shaped by both local ties and international business experience.

At this event, Tony will share candid thoughts — and provocative ideas — on Aruba’s economic diversification, overdevelopment, housing pressures, sustainability, the difficult choices required to protect the island’s long-term future, and the critical role Aruba’s business community can — and must — play in the solutions.

Miles B. M. Mercera - CEO of CINEX

Miles B. M. Mercera brings a rich and diverse background to his current role as CEO of CINEX, effective January 1, 2025. Born in the Netherlands and raised on the ABC islands, he holds an Associate Degree in Hotel Management from the Aruba Hotel School, a Bachelor's Degree in International Hospitality & Tourism Management from the University of Curaçao, and a Master's Degree in Consultancy & Entrepreneurship from the Rotterdam Business School.

His career began at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the Netherlands, where he specialized in Online and Social Media Marketing. He later served as CEO & President of the Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association and most recently as CEO of the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (2021–2024), where he spearheaded significant growth and innovation in the island's tourism sector.

Mercera is known for his visionary leadership and passion for community-driven development. 

Panelists

Omar-Steve Lejuez - Brand Creator

Omar-Steve Lejuez is a true entrepreneur who started from zero florins, building his journey through hard work, persistence, failures, and victories. Throughout the years, he faced many setbacks, but every challenge became part of the learning process that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

Together with his brother, Chris Lejuez, Omar-Steve discovered that one of their greatest strengths was branding — understanding how to create concepts, experiences, and businesses that connect with people. This vision led them into different industries and ventures, including the radio station , a billboard company, the tourist merchandise brand I Love Aruba, the sunscreen brand Aruba Sun, and later the hotel chain Privada.com.

Omar-Steve believes entrepreneurship is not only about making money, but also about creating value, building strong brands, and inspiring others to think bigger. Today, besides continuing to grow his businesses, he has developed a passion for coaching and motivating people through speeches, mentorship, and educational talks focused on entrepreneurship, branding, and personal growth.

He is truly convinced that Privada Hotels will become the biggest brand Aruba has ever produced. With a strong focus on branding, guest experience, innovation, and authentic Caribbean hospitality, Omar-Steve sees Privada not simply as a hotel company, but as a movement that can place Aruba on the map as a globally recognized hospitality brand.

His story represents resilience, creativity, and the belief that starting with nothing should never stop someone from building something meaningful.

Vincent can Rutten - Founder at Sentoo

Vincent van Rutten is the founder at Sentoo, a Caribbean payments company behind Sentoo Pay by Bank, a local Account-to-Account payment method that makes bank accounts easier to use for everyday payments. Sentoo adds the merchant and consumer payment layer, while banks and local payment rails continue to move the money.

Vincent’s main focus is expanding Sentoo’s bank partnerships across the region, while overseeing sales, finance, and platform relationships. His work centers on strengthening local payment infrastructure, making digital payments easier to adopt, and supporting broader payment innovation across Caribbean markets.

Humphrey "Fito" Croes - CEO Cas Bon Group

Humphrey “Fito” Croes is the CEO of Cas Bon Group, a leading residential real estate development company in Aruba established by the Croes family in 1994. With more than 30 years of experience in real estate development, Fito oversees the company’s strategy, sales, and marketing activities. Under his leadership, Cas Bon has developed over 1,300 homes across more than 20 residential communities in Aruba, including projects ranging from affordable housing to developments such as Gold Coast and O Condominium.

Fito holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and an MBA from Florida International University (FIU). His approach to development is centered on creating sustainable, community-oriented neighborhoods with long-term value for residents and investors alike.

Today, Cas Bon Group continues to expand its presence across the ABC islands with an active pipeline extending through 2033. Current projects include L’Aquila, Moon, Washington Gardens, and The Dunes in Aruba, as well as Laman in Curaçao, supported by a team of approximately 25 employees.