On the heels of Mother's Day, Antigua and Barbuda has announced that this year's celebration will run for an entire week to Celebrate "Motherhood: The Greatest Love of All." The Ministry of Tourism is working in conjunction with The National Association of Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME) to host the first Annual Celebrity Moms Appreciation Retreat in Antigua and Barbuda during the period May 15 -18, 2008.

Mothers to billboard artists Alicia Keyes, Common, Ludacris and Mos Def are expected to attend this year's retreat. All of these mothers are members of NABFEME and every year, Celebrity Moms are saluted at NABFEME's annual conference. As an organization, NABFEME attracts female executives across the entertainment spectrum and through its publicity efforts has helped to bring attention to causes such as domestic violence and drug abuse.

The idea of celebrity moms going away for a wellness escape was the brainchild of Donda West, mother of performer Kanye West who died tragically last year. In celebration of Ms. West's vision, Wanda Fisher, Wellness Advisor to NABFEME and Founder of the Caribbean Association of Wellness and Spas has worked with the Ministry of Tourism in the US and NABFEME to execute this concept of Celebrity Moms retreating to a destination for mental, physical and spiritual healing.

As a part of this Retreat, Celebrity Moms will meet "Moms in Government in Antigua and Barbuda" and the highlight of this interaction will be a "High Tea Party" hosted by Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack. The event will also be attended by other prominent women in government who have to balance the very important leadership roles of motherhood and public service. The Moms will also "Sow Seeds of Love" in the gardens at Government House in honor of their fallen colleague Donda West.

The primary mission of this interaction will be to exchange ideas while bringing attention to some of the social issues affecting families today, facilitate dialogue, mentorship and thought leadership among female executives.

Director of Tourism in the US, Derede Samuel-Whitlock commented, "This event will help to reinforce the destination's commitment to becoming the entertainment center of the Eastern Caribbean. This is the first time that Celebrity Moms are going on a retreat together and we are happy that they chose Antigua and Barbuda. We hope to attract the attention of their children and the media, but also use this opportunity to address some of the critical issues that families face today. Through dialogue and networking we hope to garner the support of the wider entertainment community and increase the likelihood of establishing stronger ties with support groups and organizations throughout the United States."

The Celebrity Moms will be hosted at Jumby Bay Resort and will attend events at other properties including Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa and the Blue Waters Resort. They will also visit the new Lighthouse Bay Hotel in Barbuda.