CHOGM Task Force Hails Successful Carnival Campaign to Build Summit Awareness

The National CHOGM Task Force is celebrating what it describes as a successful public awareness campaign following a series of promotional activities held during Antigua Carnival 2026.

The activations, organised by the Media and Public Affairs Committee, took place during the Opening Parade on July 25 and the Carnival Tuesday Parade, giving thousands of revellers an opportunity to learn more about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda will host from November 1 to 4.

Committee members, joined by the CHOGM Youth Correspondents, engaged masqueraders by asking trivia questions about the upcoming summit and inviting them to pose for photographs while holding cut-outs of the official CHOGM 2026 logo. The images were later shared across the event’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube platforms.

Branding Lead Chaneil Imhoff said the response from the public exceeded expectations, with both participants and spectators eagerly taking part in the activities.

She said the Carnival activations helped reinforce public awareness that Antigua and Barbuda will welcome Commonwealth leaders later this year and built on the momentum created by the launch of the country’s 100-day countdown campaign on July 24.

Co-Lead of the Media and Public Affairs Committee Sharifa George said the committee also benefited from live television coverage during the Carnival Tuesday Parade.

She noted that interviews with ABS Television and Point TV gave the CHOGM campaign valuable exposure to audiences both at home and abroad, further promoting the country’s preparations for the international event.

The committee also acknowledged the support of the operators of the 268 Trolley Train, which was used during the Tuesday Parade.

Co-Lead Everton Barnes said the attraction generated significant public interest, with many people boarding the train, asking questions and joining the promotional activities along the parade route.

He expressed appreciation to Rawle and Gem Reynolds for making the trolley available, saying their support played an important role in helping the committee connect with the public during one of the country’s largest annual celebrations.

Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1 to 4, when leaders from the 56-member Commonwealth are expected to gather in the country for discussions on key global and regional issues.