FT. LAUDERDALE – With some 200 delegates already registered and the promise of a powerful keynote delivery from National Investment Bank of Jamaica President, Aubyn Hill, the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce is poised for a successful celebration at its First Annual Recognition and Installation Power Lunch on March 24th.
Under the theme “Unleashing Our Entrepreneurial Spirit,” government, corporate, and community leaders, small business and career professionals will be treated to highlights of the Jamaican culture through music, food, love of country expressions, and the recognition of the powerful contributions that Jamaican immigrants are making within the Diaspora and in the general U.S. marketplace.
Aubyn Hill
President, National Investment Bank of Jamaica
“We are a fun-loving people, but this event will also showcase that we know how to make money while having fun,” said chamber president, Marie Gill. “As a chamber, we have been deliberate in our efforts to promote trade within the Jamaican Diaspora, and to dramatically improve international trade activities.”
With South Florida exports to Jamaica ($500 million) almost five times the value of reciprocal exports from Jamaica (just over $100 million), the Jamaica USA Chamber has embarked on a mission to not only improve trade between Jamaica and the U.S., but to encourage investment in Jamaica as well. The Chamber is also focused on helping immigrants within the Diaspora assimilate in the U.S. society.
“It is important and rather urgent that we focus and act on the various challenges with which our immigrant population is faced at this time. Concurrently, it must be understood that a disproportionate number of immigrants from the Caribbean provide the fuel that keeps South Florida’s economy–and many other local U.S. economies– running in high gear. Jamaicans are in the top three on the list of South Florida’s most populous English-speaking immigrants,” Gill said.
In keeping with the theme: “Unleashing our Entrepreneurial Spirit,” the Power Lunch program will provide highlights on the current development boom in Jamaica, with directions on how local Jamaican entrepreneurs and their business partners can take advantage of opportunities as investors, developers, contractors, buyers and suppliers of goods and services, and as consultants.
Fifteen Jamaican entrepreneurs, community leaders, and public officials will be honored for their positive contributions to the Jamaican Diaspora. The Power Lunch will take place at the Sheraton Hotel at Highway I-95 and Griffin Road in Dania, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24th. Tickets are $55 per person, which includes a six-month trial membership in the Chamber.
Proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s Small Business Disaster Assistance and Student Scholarship Funds. For information on the Power Lunch and the Jamaica USA Chamber, call 1-800-730-5581 or visit www.jamaicausachamber.org
