Meet Collin Williams of CDE (Collin Devon Events)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Collin Williams.

Collin’s parents immigrated from Antigua to America so he could get the best education possible. After securing his PhD in 2015, he took 30 friends to the tropical paradise he calls home to celebrate with family. A TIME Magazine feature later, what was intended to be a one time “Graduation Getaway” has grown into one of most critically acclaimed (BET, Travel Noire, Essence, The Shade Room, etc.) group trips for diverse millennial travelers. Since 2015, the tourism ambassador has introduced and immersed more than 800 diverse millennial professionals to the island via five annual #CDEAntigua trips, contributing over $1M to the tourism industry. Today, it’s said the only way to experience Antigua & Barbuda’s exotic cuisine, beautiful beaches, and thrilling nightlife is with CDE (Collin Devon Events).

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! The CDE story is born out of struggle. Collin’s parents were too poor to raise him in NYC when he was born, so he lived in Antigua with his aunt and uncle until he was 5. He grew a love for the island and continued to travel back annually, which eventually grew an intimate knowledge of how to have an amazing time on a budget. Struggle? Before the police escorts and government welcomes, back in 2014, he had a group of 8 friends sharing a guest room in my parent’s unfinished home and one beatdown rental car having the adventures of a lifetime. In fact, it was Whitney and Lauren (two good friends from college) who suggested a formal itinerary to tie the experience together.

Up until successfully pulling off the largest group trip in Antigua’s history last year, Collin has had to work particularly hard to gain respect and trust from hotel partners as a young Black entrepreneur. It’s a big reason why he went from 175 attendees in 2018 to 500 in 2019. Frankly, he was tired of having to jump through hoops to get connected to the right tier of executives and convincing them he could deliver on the numbers promised. In 2017, for example, a partner sold rooms in his contract thinking he wouldn’t fill them all. When he arrived with more than the contract, the owner had to get a friend to open his property next door. In 2019, Collin pleaded for a buyout with another hotel partner who refused. CDE had 500 attendees that year and turned away more than three hundred. Long story short, CDE got a buyout in 2020.

Please tell us about CDE (Collin Devon Events).
Introduce. Immerse. Inspire. #CDEAntigua INTRODUCES young professionals of color to Antigua, a tropical island paradise with 365 beaches, and each other. A tourism ambassador and dual citizen, Dr. Collin Williams meticulously curate an all-inclusive adventure IMMERSING guests in Antiguan culture, cuisine, and entertainment. By providing an unmatched experience, #CDEAntigua INSPIRE attendees to come back and give back through community service and other strategic initiatives.

Our four pillars I call the “ambassador advantage”:

Authentically Antiguan & doctored to perfection
“Ah Wadali he come from” – Collin is a dual citizen and Tourism Ambassador. Sit back and relax as he curates the vacation of a lifetime taking every detail into consideration.

The most Inclusive all-inclusive
Pay for #CDEAntigua and leave your wallet at home. The packages cover flight, 4+ star accommodations, transportation, meals & drinks, events, service projects, & photo and video.

Socially responsible
From donating backpacks with school supplies to hosting field days with fitness, dance, and game stations, CDE orchestrates youth-centered service projects each year.

More ways to save referral system
Traveled with CDE before? Take $100 off future trips. Want to bring a friend? Take $100 off per referral.

What are you known for?
Curating a one of a kind, affordable yet luxury, travel experience in Antigua for diverse millennials and getting really attractive and successful ones to vacation unapologetically. I introduce beautiful people to each other and my beautiful island.

What are you most proud of as a company?
Putting our country on. Before CDE, so many had never heard of Antigua. Now almost a thousand more people have been and contributing north of $1M. If my mom were alive, she’d probably be most proud of me for this.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Summers in Antigua with family and friends after I moved back to US from there.

Pricing:

• 6 day all inclusive package for around $2500

Contact Info:

• Website: cdeantigua.com
• Email: collindevonevents@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collindevonevents/

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.