MIRAMAR – The Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce will once again host the Jamaican Business Expo at the Sunset Lakes Community Center in Miramar on Thursday and Friday, September 3rd and 4th.
Hundreds of Jamaican entrepreneurs will be joined by other Caribbean and US small businesses, major corporations, industry buyers, investors, and marketing professionals to view the exhibits, sample various products, discuss business partnerships, network, learn about projects that are ripe for investment, and how to do business with Jamaica.
“The Jamaican Business Expo is one of the primary ways that the Chamber is promoting the ‘Brand Jamaica’ movement overseas,” states chamber president, Marie Gill. She explained that the expo will be a one-stop opportunity to meet business and resource agencies from Jamaica, find new business partners, learn about new products that are being produced in Jamaica and for which overseas representatives are being sought, and get a handle on how to identify secure and potentially profitable investments on the island. Entry to the Expo will be FREE to the general public.
Marie Gill at last year’s expo
Under the theme “Buy Jamaican – Brand We Love,” this year’s Expo has attracted top executives from the Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Jamaica Exporters Association, and the Jamaican Business Development Center. “All of these Jamaican-based agencies are partnering with the Chamber again this year and will all be participants on the “Serious Business” breakfast panel on September 3rd at 8:30 a.m.
Major Highlights of the Expo include an in-bound delegation of 25 businesses from Jamaica that will be exhibitors at the free expo. The Luncheon on Sept. 4th will feature the signing of a memorandum of understanding between JAMPRO and the Jamaica USA Chamber, outlining how the Chamber will be further empowered to assist business owners who are seeking to do business in Jamaica and vice versa. The luncheon keynote will be given by a representative of Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, specifically addressing the government’s initiatives to grow small businesses and attract investments.
Some 300 Jamaican business owners, supporters and partners are expected at the Luncheon on September 4th and another 800 persons will browse the free expo. “The Jamaican Diaspora and members of the general community are quite supportive of the idea of strengthening partnerships and smoothing the path for trade and for investing in Jamaica, “Gill said. She reports that the Chamber has a growing list of business owners who are seeking the Chamber’s help in this regard. So we are ready to get the ball rolling, and invite the public to come and hear from our Jamaican delegation and to view and sample all that Jamaica has to offer at this year’s expo,” Gill said.
The Jamaican Business Expo will provide exhibitors the opportunity to display superb quality goods and services. Through the expo promotion, exhibitors will find leads to expand their markets to buyers from the Caribbean, Central and Latin America, across North America, Europe and other territories. Buyers will be able to source goods and services from various sectors at competitive prices, generate new ideas, find new suppliers and distributors locally and globally, and develop new business contacts and relationships.
Jamaican designers and manufacturers will show off their prowess in fashions and the visual arts at a Meet-and-Greet Cocktail Reception and Fashion Show that will take place on the expo floor on September 3rd from 530 – 8:30 p.m. Entry to this reception will also be free to the general public.
Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO) and the other participating agencies from Jamaica will hold private meetings with potential buyers, distributors, product representatives and entrepreneurs seeking to establish joint ventures and other business teaming agreements. The Chamber will assist in arranging those meetings, prior to the expo.
“The Chamber is always bombarded with questions about product positioning, customs, site selection, investments, and risk aversion in various industries. There is high interest in knowing the requirements and incentives that are available for overseas Jamaicans to invest in and to operate businesses in Jamaica—these one-on-one meetings will provide answers to those questions, Gill said.”
Sponsors of the Jamaican Business Expo at time of print, include the City of Miramar, Jamaica Trade and Invest, Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Jamaica Exporters Association, Seaboard Marine Ltd., Grace Foods USA, Seafreight Agencies, Air Jamaica, Ocho Rios International, M. Gill & Associates, Antilles Freight Corporation, Caribcast TV, Hi-Class Promotions, and the Victoria Mutual Building Society.
Breakfast Tickets are $20; Luncheon Tickets are $50; Exhibitor Booths are $225 and a few are still available. Complimentary membership is included with some purchases. For registration and further information, contact the Jamaica USA Chamber at 1.877.528.7222 or 305.576.7888 or via email to [email protected]
