The winning photo for the 2026 calendar.
PHILIPSBURG--Photographers from St. Maarten and abroad have until September 15 to submit photographs for the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association’s (SHTA’s) 2027 Events Calendar Photo Contest, with the winning image set to appear in next year’s calendar.
The annual contest, supported by main partner CC1, is open to both residents and visitors and is intended to showcase St. Maarten’s landscapes, cultural symbols and art.
Participants may submit up to three photographs, which must be provided in high resolution suitable for print. Entries should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by September 15.
The SHTA Events Calendar has featured the island’s events, creativity and culture for more than a decade. The 2027 edition will introduce a new design after 10 years while continuing to highlight what makes St. Maarten unique.
The contest provides emerging and established photographers with an opportunity to have their work featured in the annual publication.
According to SHTA, the printed editions and digital platforms generated more than 60,000 views during 2026, providing exposure for photographers and, where applicable, their company names.
The contest has attracted photographers from St. Maarten and abroad in previous years.
Local photographer Mara Bailey won in 2024 with a photograph of men playing dominoes in front of a mural celebrating the island’s local dialect.
In 2025, Husam El Aswad from the Netherlands won with a photograph combining an old Fort Amsterdam window with a modern cruise ship.
American photographer Richard Santaga won the 2026 contest with a photograph of the Black Pearl in Simpson Bay.
SHTA said the artistic quality of submissions has continued to develop as the contest has grown.
The winner of the 2027 contest will receive a weekend at Seaview Beach Hotel on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Additional prizes will be announced.
Seaview has a long-standing relationship with the arts and supports creativity through its new Artist-in-Residence programme. The hotel welcomes residents and visiting artists and incorporates their work throughout the historic property.
Once published, the 2027 Events Calendar will be distributed throughout St. Maarten and shared with travel partners abroad. Thousands of printed copies are distributed locally and internationally, while the calendar also receives tens of thousands of online views.
SHTA is also asking companies, NGOs and Government entities with events planned for 2027 to submit their dates for inclusion in the calendar.
Event dates should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by September 15. Island residents can also use the same e-mail address to reserve a free copy of the 2027 Events Calendar.
