DESPITE THE International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup being some 21 months away, the regional organisers are working tirelessly to ensure the event's success. Last week, ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc., the body responsible for staging cricket's showpiece event, hosted an event management workshop in Grenada which was designed to ensure synchrony among the nine host countries and, more importantly, to measure their progress thus far in preparation for the World Cup. The one-day workshop, the second of its kind thus far, attracted several experienced event management representatives and was attended by more than 70 delegates from the host venues across the region. Topics on the agenda included Media & Accreditation, Budgets and Financial Planning, Volunteer Training & Recruit-ment, Event Operations and Tournament IT as well as Special Events and the Visitor Experience. ON TRACK The revelations made at the workshop were, to say the least, very encouraging, as all the countries seemed to be on track with their preparatory works. CEO of the Local Organising Committee here in Jamaica, Robert Bryan, said the venue preperation in the country is on target. He said the country's new focus is on the overall visitor experience, which will be enhanced by their strategic use of event volunteers. Similarly, Antigua and Barbuda are scheduled to hold a formal ground-breaking ceremony in September at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Barbados reported that they are on track with the renovation works at Kensington Oval, while Grenada, which has felt the wrath of two hurricanes since last year, is targeting road upgrades which should enhance its appearance. According to Grenadian officials, by 2007, visitors to the island will also have the opportunity to see a vibrant nightlife. Guyana reported a strong focus on accommodation with construction of one major hotel already under way with a 300-room offer beginning soon. St Kitts/Nevis has embarked on an islandwide beautification while St. Lucia is set to begin a two-year 'special events programme' next month. Its main aim is to build national awareness. FIRST FOR THE REGION This is the first time the region is hosting a major cricket spectacle. It has previously hosted several big sporting events such as the 1966 Commonwealth Games, which Jamaica staged, the World Junior Championships of Athletics (Jamaica, 2002), the World Netball Championships (Trinidad and Tobago in 1987 and Jamaica in 2003) and the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which Trinidad hosted in 2001. ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc. has vowed to make this the most memorable Cricket World Cup ever. Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com