Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Aruba to work or start a business is far more than just a change of tropical scenery. On this small island of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, professional success hinges on a key element: the ability to build a strong network, both local and international. In a country where business relies as much on trust as on contracts, networking is both a condition for integration and a career accelerator.
To build a useful and lasting professional network in Aruba, it’s advisable to leverage several channels: the Chamber of Commerce, professional associations, international conferences, and online platforms. Volunteering and mentoring are also effective strategies. It’s important to consider the island’s cultural and administrative specificities in this process.
Understanding the Aruban Context Before Networking
Before you even start handing out business cards, it is essential to understand the environment in which professionals operate in Aruba. This shapes how relationships are formed, nurtured, and transformed into opportunities.
Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a stable parliamentary system and an economy heavily focused on tourism. Over 80% of employment and GDP are directly or indirectly linked to this sector, which has a direct impact on the nature of local networks: hospitality, restaurants, leisure, timeshare, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) play a central role. However, the island is not monolithic: ancillary industries, professional services, tech, and international trade complete the landscape.
The population is largely multilingual: Papiamento and Dutch are official languages, but English and Spanish are widely used in business. This diversity is a major asset for an expatriate. Culturally, professional life blends Dutch, Caribbean, and Latin American influences. Personal relationships take precedence over a purely transactional approach. Trust is built gradually, through formal and informal meetings, often punctuated by social moments.
Arubans value professionalism and punctuality, but also place great importance on patience and respect for procedures. Major decisions are rarely made in haste. Adapting to this rhythm, accepting the local pace of negotiations and administrative steps, is an integral part of the game… and therefore of networking.
The Aruba Chamber of Commerce: The Institutional Heart of Your Network
For an expatriate looking to establish themselves in the local economy, the Aruba Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the first essential stops. Established by law in 1930, this semi-public institution has the missions of defending business interests, stimulating economic activity, and advising the Minister of Economic Affairs on business licenses, and social, financial, and economic matters.
Beyond this institutional role, the Chamber is a valuable lever for structuring your network.
Why the Chamber is Essential for an Expatriate
First, because it manages the commercial and foundations register. Any active company in Aruba must be registered within a week of starting operations. This registration is mandatory, but it is also an act of visibility: being listed in the register means being identifiable by other economic players, investors, foreign delegations, and expatriates seeking partners or employers.
The Chamber does more than maintain registers. It provides: financial auditing, certifications, and expert opinions.
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) provides various essential documents for business activities, including internationally. This includes registration extracts (searchable online by statutory name, trade name, or KvK number), Certificates of Good Standing, letters of recommendation in Dutch, English, or Spanish for foreign contacts, as well as certificates of origin and EUR-1 certificates for exports to the European Union.
For an expatriate involved in international trade, these services enhance credibility with foreign partners. They also serve as a very concrete pretext to initiate contact with other players, for example by sharing a Certificate of Good Standing with a prospect or investor.
Services and Events to Leverage for Networking
The Chamber organizes numerous formats that serve as opportunities to meet the local ecosystem.
Notable examples include:
– the “Business Plaza” for start-ups (mid-year) and established entrepreneurs (early year);
– workshops, seminars, thematic conferences, presentations, and exhibitions;
– entrepreneurial development programs, sometimes with structured courses like the “Independent Entrepreneur Course,” delivered online via Microsoft Teams over several months;
– “business mixers” in various cities, such as the one held in San Nicolas.
These events, while not specifically designed for expatriates, bring together an audience valuable for newcomers: executives, consultants, hotel managers, service providers, association leaders, and representatives of foreign trade missions.
The Chamber also offers free consultations for entrepreneurs and investors, by appointment with a Business Info & Support Officer. For an expatriate, these appointments serve a dual purpose: obtaining precise information on business creation, company types (N.V., V.B.A., sole proprietorship, partnership, A.V.V.), license requirements, but also beginning to build relationships with well-connected professionals who can open other doors.
Example of Practical Data Related to the Chamber
Here is a summary table to visualize some Chamber services and their networking value for an expatriate:
| Chamber Service / Activity | Main Content | Networking Value for an Expatriate |
|---|---|---|
| Registration in the Commercial Register | Company registration, basic public data | Official visibility, credibility, discoverability by local partners |
| Business Plaza (new and existing) | Booths, meetings, advice, presentations | Meetings with entrepreneurs, banks, service providers, institutions |
| Thematic Workshops & Seminars | Short training sessions (administration, tax, AI, etc.) | Sector-specific contacts, informal exchanges with trainers and participants |
| Letters of Recommendation for Abroad | Official declarations for non-local partners | Building trust with contacts outside Aruba |
| Library & International Trade Information | Documentation base and international addresses | Identifying trade shows, fairs, potential partners |
| Support for Trade Missions | Connecting foreign missions with local companies | Access to visiting international decision-makers |
An important point for staying in the loop: registered companies must keep their data updated on the “My Chamber” platform and pay an annual contribution. In practice, a neglected file can lead to missed invitations, denied services, or incorrect data in the register—all elements that weaken your image with prospects and partners.
In an economy dominated by tourism, the main professional organizations in the sector play a structuring role in business life in Aruba. Connecting with them, for an expatriate, often means placing oneself at the heart of the flow of opportunities.
The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA)
The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association is the voice of the island’s tourism industry. It brings together hotels, resorts, activity providers, MICE players, and provides its members with:
Discover the main services and resources offered to support professionals in the tourism sector.
Participate in dedicated events to expand your professional network and exchange with your peers.
Get involved in specialized committees (environment, safety, training, etc.) to contribute to sector issues.
Access data and analysis on tourism performance to inform your strategic decisions.
Check job postings published by member companies for your career opportunities.
Benefit from privileged access to regional markets, conferences, and training programs of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association.
Members receive priority in certain sales actions organized with the tourism authority (Aruba Tourism Authority), such as familiarization trips or sales conferences. For an expatriate consultant, B2B supplier, or entrepreneur in tourism, membership can be a shortcut to high-level decision-makers.
In the timeshare segment, the Aruba Timeshare Association offers interesting networking advantages:
ATSA membership offers several key benefits: participation in regular networking sessions, benchmarking exercises (on utilities, salaries, and fees), and structured advocacy with authorities through dialogue committees. It also enables regional collaboration with sister associations, opportunities for expertise sharing (conferences, internships, articles), and enhances member credibility through the official use of the association’s logo.
Comparative Table: AHATA and ATSA from an Expatriate’s View
| Organization | Type of Members | Main Networking Benefits | Expatriate Profiles Particularly Relevant |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHATA | Hotels, resorts, tourism operators | Events, committees, career center, access to CHTA | Hotel managers, tourism consultants, B2B providers |
| ATSA | Timeshare players | Networking sessions, advocacy, benchmarking, visibility | Real estate developers, property managers, lawyers, accountants |
In both cases, actively participating in committees, workshops, or task forces is often more effective than passive membership. It is in these smaller spaces that strong bonds are built, through work on common issues (training, safety, environment, regulation…), far more than at crowded cocktail parties.
Leveraging the Proliferation of International Conferences and Events
Aruba hosts hundreds of international conferences each year covering a surprisingly wide spectrum: business, leadership, engineering, health, AI, environment, law, finance, tourism, management, youth, psychology, arts, and many more. These events go far beyond tourism: they attract researchers, entrepreneurs, and public and private decision-makers from various continents.
For an expatriate, participating in these conferences, or better yet, speaking as a speaker, represents a very effective way to build a network on two levels: local and global.
Why These Conferences Are Valuable for Your Network
Platforms like All Conference Alert or World Conference Alerts list events held in Aruba. They provide information on venues, organizers, calls for papers, travel grants, and available scholarships.
Some conferences offer invitation letters, participation scholarships, or even coverage of travel expenses. For an expatriate professional or researcher, responding to a call for papers allows one to benefit from this financial and administrative support.
– gaining international visibility without leaving Aruba;
– meeting experts in your field in a structured setting (workshops, panels, poster sessions);
– integrating into thematic networks that extend beyond the island (e.g., on AI, health, or education) .
The balanced format between buyers and suppliers creates a strong and concentrated commercial exposure during the LAND X-Change® event.
The Support of the Aruba Convention Bureau
The Aruba Convention Bureau plays a facilitator role in organizing meetings and congresses. It highlights:
– the safety of the destination;
– the quality of infrastructure (meeting spaces from waterfront to boardrooms);
– the population’s multilingualism;
– the wide acceptance of US dollars.
For an expatriate involved in event planning, consulting, MICE, or training, connecting with the Convention Bureau helps understand the flow of congresses coming to the island and identify key players: major hotel chains, professional organizers, corporate travel agencies. Each congress is a temporary opportunity but potentially decisive for creating targeted connections.
Leveraging the Administrative Framework to Structure Your Network
In Aruba, the administrative aspect is not just a constraint. When well understood and anticipated, it also becomes a field for meetings and professional legitimization.
Licenses, Work Permits, and Local Partners
All legal entities must obtain a business license from the Department of Economic Affairs (DEACI) before starting commercial activities. The Chamber of Commerce acts as an advisory body in reviewing these licenses. This link between the Chamber and DEACI is a first example of an institutional network one must learn to navigate.
For an expatriate, the question of a local partner is central. In most cases, a foreign entrepreneur needs a local partner holding at least 60% of the shares to start a company. Furthermore, a company must have at least one local director registered in the commercial register.
While there is no official database to find a local partner, this constraint encourages building a solid network of trust. Consult lawyers or notaries: this act goes beyond the legal framework and allows you to integrate a circle of decision-makers accustomed to working with foreigners. These professionals, as well as consulting firms and potential partners, can become valuable relays for your project.
Table: Key Institutions and Types of Relationships to Cultivate
| Institution / Service | Main Role | Why It’s Important for Your Network |
|---|---|---|
| Aruba Chamber of Commerce | Commercial register, economic advice, events | Entry point to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem |
| DEACI | Issuing business licenses | Indicator of growing sectors and entry conditions |
| DIMAS | Residence and work permits | Understanding rules for recruiting or being recruited |
| Lawyers / Notaries | Legal structuring of companies and partnerships | Access to reliable local partners, strategic advice |
Engaging seriously in these procedures, scrupulously respecting requirements (data updates, payment deadlines), address compliance, and obtaining prior authorizations for changes in activity or headquarters conveys an image of rigor and reliability to your professional circle. In the long run, this counts as much as a good business card.
Building Your Network Daily: Cultural Codes and Local Practices
Beyond major institutional players, it’s in daily life that relational fabric is built. The communication and negotiation culture in Aruba requires some useful reflexes for an expatriate.
Meetings frequently begin with a period of informal exchange: discussing family, the weather, or local news is not a waste of time but an investment in the relationship. Decisions are often made consensually and at a measured pace. Adopting a too pushy or aggressive posture in negotiations is poorly perceived and can break trust.
Communication relies heavily on the unspoken, tone, and body language. Being aware of this is crucial to avoid misunderstandings. The use of titles and last names is the norm during initial contacts; the relationship may become more friendly later while generally maintaining respect for hierarchy.
For an expatriate, this means: adapting to a new cultural environment, understanding local laws, managing language, establishing social and professional relationships, and potentially facing administrative challenges.
– preparing meetings with a clear objective, but accepting that the discussion may take relational detours;
– avoiding direct confrontation, especially in public;
– preferring constructive and flexible proposals;
– showing sincere curiosity about local culture, traditions, and communities.
Accepting invitations to lunch, for a coffee, or to a community event is a very concrete way to evolve a professional contact into a stronger relationship. In a confined environment like Aruba, these mixed links, at the border between professional and social, are frequently the ones that “unlock” projects.
Volunteering as an Accelerator of Integration and Network
One of the most underestimated levers by expatriates is volunteering. In Aruba, there is a structured ecosystem around platforms like Aruba Volunteers, managed by CEDE Aruba, or large annual campaigns like ARUBA DOET, co-organized with the Oranje Fonds. These initiatives bring together associations, companies, and citizens around concrete projects: repainting schools, refreshing playgrounds, organizing outings for the elderly, supporting nautical activities for youth, creating gardens, etc.
For an expatriate, volunteering allows for:
To integrate well into Aruba, it’s recommended to familiarize yourself with different neighborhoods like Noord, Santa Cruz, and Oranjestad. Meeting engaged residents, often well-connected in areas like education, health, sports, or culture, is very useful. Demonstrating a genuine attachment to the island is also highly appreciated. Finally, using these interactions to practice local languages in an informal setting is an excellent way to adapt.
Examples of Volunteer Roles and Networking Opportunities
The diversity of missions is impressive: event assistant for a concert, domino game facilitator with the elderly, hospice helper, water sports supervisor for youth clubs, board member of a community center, driver for wheelchair users, activity leader for patient support associations.
Participating in ARUBA DOET, a two-day event gathering thousands of volunteers, is strategic because it allows companies to involve their teams, benefits from media coverage, and concentrates many projects in a short period. It’s a unique informal gathering of economic, social, and political actors.
Table: Why Volunteering is Strategic for an Expatriate
| Aspect of Volunteering | Networking Benefit for an Expatriate |
|---|---|
| Participation in ARUBA DOET | Simultaneous meetings with many actors, local visibility |
| Regular Missions (clubs, foundations) | Deep and lasting relationships with a group of engaged Arubans |
| Governance Roles (board member) | Recognition, credibility, proximity to local decision-makers |
| ESC / European Volunteering Projects | Connection with international youth and local NGOs |
Getting involved in a local association can also serve as a springboard for developing professional projects: a volunteer sports coach for youth might, for example, later position themselves as a trainer for hotels or recreation centers, leveraging the connections made.
Mentoring: Multiplying “Strategic Allies” on the Island
Mentoring is not unique to Aruba, but the approaches described in Caribbean and international programs provide an excellent framework for an expatriate looking to accelerate their adaptation.
Rather than hoping to find a “miracle mentor” who would meet all needs, it is useful to think of your network as a “personal board of directors,” composed of several mentors: one for legal and administrative aspects, one for local culture, another for the tourism or tech sector, one for leadership challenges, etc.
Structured programs like those run by chambers of commerce or Caribbean organizations show the importance of:
– defining clear objectives together (2 or 3 priorities maximum);
– agreeing on a meeting rhythm (e.g., one hour per month);
– formalizing expectations in a moral agreement, with a confidentiality clause;
– setting a duration (6 to 12 months) to avoid burnout.
For an expatriate in Aruba, building such a system can be done by combining several sources:
To find a mentor in the Antilles, several options exist: an internal mentor within a large structure like a hotel or bank; an external mentor via the Chamber of Commerce, AHATA, or a sectoral association; a mentor from the non-profit sector, met through volunteering; or a remote mentor based elsewhere in the Caribbean or the Netherlands, allowing for broader perspectives.
Research on mentoring shows that businesses supported by a mentor have better survival rates, stronger revenue growth, and improved productivity. For an expatriate career, these benefits translate into faster skill development and better navigation of the host country’s implicit codes.
Using LinkedIn to Amplify Your Aruban Network
On a modestly sized island, it might be tempting to think everything happens through “offline” networking. In reality, LinkedIn plays a major role in connecting different circles: local, regional (Caribbean, Americas), and international.
Some best practices, drawn from global platform data, take on a particular dimension here:
To maximize your visibility and appeal on the professional network in Aruba, adopt these three practices: use a professional photo for a complete profile, which significantly increases visibility and the number of messages received; write a summary that tells your story and ambitions while specifically orienting them towards Aruba (mentioning, for example, your interests related to tourism, MICE, or the Caribbean economy) to attract the attention of local recruiters and partners; regularly publish content anchored in Aruban reality (like a recap of a Chamber of Commerce event, a reflection on sustainable tourism, or an experience feedback on volunteering at ARUBA DOET) to position yourself as a committed and sustainable player, not just passing through.
Joining LinkedIn groups and events related to Aruba, the Caribbean or your sector also helps spot who is active in which field more quickly. Advanced search functions (by location, sector, company) facilitate identifying HR managers, hotel directors, start-up founders, etc.
The goal is not to multiply random connections, but to target truly relevant profiles, then initiate personalized contact, referencing a concrete common point (participation in the same event, membership in the same association, an article published on a shared subject).
Expatriate Platforms, Online Communities, and Social Life
Alongside institutional and professional networks, expatriate communities play a significant role in Aruba. Platforms like Expat.com, which have a dedicated forum for the island, bring together very diverse profiles: young professionals, seasonal workers, retirees, families, business project holders.
Online expatriate groups are a first valuable source of contacts and recommendations. You can find practical advice on housing, schools, and administrative procedures like permits. These spaces also facilitate professional and social networking, by providing information on co-working, children’s activities, and events. Members, having had similar experiences, can recommend trusted professionals (lawyers, real estate agencies) as well as associations and sports clubs.
This type of network doesn’t carry the institutional weight of the Chamber or AHATA, but it offers essential informal support: co-organizing an event, launching a working group, proposing themed lunches, starting a “digital nomads” group, etc. Over time, these communities become a pool of partners, and even clients.
Intelligently Connecting All These Network Circles
The true strength of a network in Aruba doesn’t lie in a single channel, but in how you connect the different circles: institutional, sectoral, non-profit, online, informal. An expatriate who succeeds in the long term is often one who has managed to become a “bridge” between these worlds.
Concretely, this might look like: the development of a mobile application, the implementation of an interactive website, or the execution of a targeted marketing campaign.
A member might, for example, identify a need for digital marketing training within a local association and propose leading a workshop based on their professional expertise. They could then invite an international expert met at a congress to participate online. To amplify the impact, they publish a LinkedIn article to highlight this initiative, citing the association and partners. In parallel, they recommend qualified expatriate candidates for jobs posted on AHATA’s Career Center, thus strengthening their network and credibility with recruiters.
Over time, this ability to connect people and structures makes you a sought-after resource. In an island environment, where the same players often cross paths, this reputation as a “reliable connector” is one of the best career assets possible.
Conclusion: Building a Lasting Place in Aruba
Developing your professional network abroad, and particularly in Aruba, is not just about accumulating business cards or attending every possible event. It is rather a gradual, structured process that combines:
To succeed in professional integration in Aruba, it is essential to: understand the local cultural, economic, and administrative context; actively participate in key institutions (Chamber of Commerce, AHATA, ATSA, Aruba Convention Bureau); regularly attend international conferences and events on the island; engage in community life through volunteering; establish mentoring relationships with strategic allies; and intelligently use networks like LinkedIn and expatriate platforms.
Aruba is not a “large anonymous market”: the island’s small size means that reputation, reliability, and the quality of relationships matter even more than elsewhere. For an expatriate, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. By investing in authentic connections, respecting local codes, and making a tangible contribution to the community, it becomes possible not only to succeed in one’s career but also to find one’s place in what is no longer just a destination, but a true professional and human ecosystem.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
