GenXS Returns to AC Hotel and Emancipation Park for the 2026 season, continuing a model that places strong emphasis on logistics, structure, and overall patron experience.
GenXS Returns to AC Hotel and Emancipation Park
Costume distribution will take place over five days, from Tuesday, April 7, to Saturday, April 11, at AC Hotel Kingston, which will again serve as the band’s official distribution hub as GenXS Returns to AC Hotel and Emancipation Park.
The location was introduced last year as part of a shift toward improving what organisers describe as the “final mile” of the Carnival process. With a controlled layout, clearer flow, and dedicated support teams, the aim is to reduce congestion and ensure a more efficient pick-up experience for masqueraders.
In addition to costume collection, the venue will feature a GenXS merchandise store and selected sponsor activations, allowing for direct engagement with patrons during distribution week.
On the road, GenXS will again utilise Emancipation Park as its central hospitality hub, hosting breakfast, lunch, and dinner for masqueraders throughout Carnival Sunday.
The park’s location along the band’s route, combined with its landscaped grounds and open space, allows for a structured service environment while giving patrons room to rest and move comfortably during the day.
The space will remain open to the public, with spectators able to view the costumes and activity, while barricades will be used to maintain a clear separation between masqueraders and the general audience.
Food service at the park will be supported by key partners, with a focus on consistency and availability across all service periods.
J’Nelle Bailey, Sponsorship Coordinator for GenXS, noted that coordination with partners has been a central part of the planning process:
“Our partners play a critical role in how we deliver the experience in the park. From breakfast through to dinner, the focus has been on ensuring that service is consistent, well-managed, and able to support the volume of patrons moving through the space.”
She added that collaboration with sponsors, including Smirnoff, Rum Stripe, Don Julio (the Red Stripe Group), KFC, Wendy’s, Pepsi, Massy, VODA, Pure Country, Red Bull, Soldanza, and Holiday, has been structured to ensure that both food and beverage execution aligns with the overall standard of the band.
GenXS, now in its fourth year in Jamaica and operating as a fully Jamaican-owned band, continues to refine its approach with an emphasis on execution, partner integration, and maintaining a consistent experience across all touchpoints.
