Allison Demas is chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC), and the first female to be appointed since the NCC came into being in 1991 through an Act of Parliament. An attorney by profession, she specialises in copyright and entertainment law.
She was a former chief executive officer of the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (Cott). Demas has also contributed to the development of the creative industries by providing legal services and advice to people and organisations in the areas of the business of music and entertainment, and lectured on intellectual property and music licencing at university level, at seminars and workshops, locally, regionally and internationally.
Her father was the late William Demas, first secretary general of Caricom, last secretary general of Carifta, former governor of the Caribbean Development Bank and the Central Bank of T&T. She is married to attorney Garvin Simonette and is the mother of a daughter, Aisha.
Q: What’s your vision of a perfect Carnival Monday and Tuesday?
A: My perfect Carnival would be “mas on the move”, with bands flowing smoothly and no congestion. There would be a mixture of pan, as well as DJ music, and costumes with creativity, variety and meaning that are enjoyable for masqueraders, yet appealing to spectators, with something to captivate their interest. I would like to see traditional characters enjoy more of the spotlight so that young people and tourists can appreciate that aspect of our culture. I would love to see a successful, lucrative and crime-free Carnival, not just in Port-of-Spain, but all over T&T.
What’s the favourite and least favourite part about your latest job so far?
My favourite aspect of the job is dialoging and engaging in meaningful discussions with the various stakeholders—whether it’s those representing the pan, mas and calypso interest groups, the city or vendors groups. My least favourite aspect is how demanding it is of my time, but I knew this would be the order of the day when I accepted the responsibility.
What challenges are you and your team facing for Carnival 2013?
The main challenge is that I was appointed mid-November. Three months is really not sufficient time for planning Carnival. Time is really against us, but we are working feverishly.
How would you like your post-analysis of Carnival 2013 to read?
For me, this Carnival is about learning and observing, seeing what works and what doesn’t, so we don’t keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. This is the beginning of the transformation. So being realistic, I am just looking forward to early planning for Carnival 2014.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
My parents. My father, William Demas, gave me his vision for a united Caribbean and taught me the importance of integrity and professionalism, and that money is not really that important. My mother, Norma, taught me the importance of having respect for fellow human beings and finding inner peace, happiness and joy.
Do you play, or have you played mas?
Yes. Not anymore...but I used to play mas. I started off playing in my Aunt Betty’s J’Ouvert band, and played with Burrokeets as a teen on Carnival Monday. When I came back from studying I played with Poison, before finding my “home” with Minshall.
What are your favourite calypso and soca songs of all time?
Dingolay by Shadow, and David Rudder’s Calypso Music.
What is your favourite thing about Carnival?
The music and the fetes.
How did you get into this line of work?
Throughout the course of my career I’ve been involved in cultural policy and planning, and worked in management in the creative industries, so it’s been a natural progression. I was CEO of Cott and worked on several Cabinet committees, in an advisory capacity. I was also on the board of EIDECO and worked with the T&T Pageant Company when we hosted Miss Universe.
Anything else about Allison Demas that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, I’ve been married to Garvin Simonette for 23 years and I’m the mother of a 14-year-old daughter, Aisha.
Which super power, if you could, would you like to have and why?
The power to read people’s minds—that would give me supreme power!
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born in Port-of-Spain and grew up in and out of T&T: in Montreal; Bridgetown, Barbados; Georgetown, Guyana; and Kingston, Jamaica.
Tell us about your inspiration to do the type of “work” you do.
I’ve always had a love of serving the creative community.
Who do you admire most today?
Nelson Mandela.
Which of your work(s) do you rate as the most satisfying and memorable?
Being CEO of Cott.
At what schools/institutions did you receive your education?
Bishop Anstey High School (and high schools in Barbados and Guyana), UWI Cave Hill; University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, England; and Franklin Pierce Law Center, New Hampshire, USA.
What daily motto/credo do you live by?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date, personally and professionally?
Personally—being a mother. Professionally—establishing my own company, Media InSite Ltd.
What advice would you give to the country’s leaders to create a better society?
Listen to the people.
Do you pattern your work after any other person or persons?
I model my work ethic after my father’s, as well as his sense of service to the nation and the Caribbean region.