conference in the US.

Ms Gordon was recruited to speak after conference organisers saw her on US TV last year at a Harvard University Women World Leaders meeting.

And Ms Gordon said she planned to use her 25 minute spot at the conference, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, to beat the drum for Bermuda.

She added: "I was very surprised to be asked -- especially in my new capacity as leader of the Opposition.

"They just called me up and asked if I would be prepared to speak to this group. But I was delighted to accept -- it gives us another opportunity to put Bermuda in the forefront of people's minds.'' The conference -- based on promoting east-west and north-south trade -- is expected to draw political and business figures from all over North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Ms Gordon said she recognised Premier Jennifer Smith and the new Government had been abroad promoting Bermuda as a tourist destination only recently.

But she added: "No matter which side of the fence we sit on locally, we are all on the same side of the fence internationally -- Bermuda's side.'' Ms Gordon said she had been asked to speak on the theme of "finding profit in overlooked markets.'' She added she would be approaching the speech from an international perspective -- but that the Island would figure strongly in her address.

Ms Gordon said she would try and promote Bermuda as a centre for international business, hi-tech e-commerce and as a hot spot for tourists.

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