All in Place for Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce Expo

All is now in place for the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Expo 2013, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James from October 11 to 13.

First Vice President of the MBCCI, Gloria Henry, is inviting all of western Jamaica to come out and support the event, which for the first time, will be free to the public over all three days.

“This year, we are making the expo a bigger and more comprehensive trade show, that will not just cater to entertainment and family activities but will provide information for persons seeking to invest, for persons seeking to be employed,” she said on September 26, at a Think Tank held at the Jamaica Information Service’s (JIS) Montego Bay office.

Being held under the theme: ‘Services Globalization…Enabling Business Development,’ the three-day trade show and expo will include seminars, business-to-business matchmaking, a buyers/sellers market, and an entertainment package.

It is being billed as an event not to be missed, as there will be something to interest the individual, the family, the micro and small business operator, and large enterprises.

Ms. Henry said that to add interest to this year’s expo, the MBCCI will be collaborating with the Culinary Federation of Jamaica in staging the ‘Taste of Jamaica’ culinary competition.

By doing this, she said, the MBCCI will be demonstrating in a practical way “how the tourism industry, through its food services, can benefit from forward linkages in agriculture and agro-processing as well as other areas”.

“We have a number of young chefs, who will be coming out to demonstrate their talent, and there will be the Chef of the Year award,” Ms. Henry informed.

Western Regional Manager for JAMPRO, Conrad Robinson, who also addressed the Think Tank, said that his organisation is pleased to be associated with the staging of the expo, noting that it will provide an opportunity for investment promotion.

He informed that a trade delegation from Atlanta will be in Montego Bay during that period, and they will be visiting the show.

“So, what we are aiming to do at JAMPRO is to have a good understanding of what their (trade delegation) needs are, and to match those needs with providers of goods and services here in Montego Bay.  So, it is going to be a wonderful opportunity for the business community in Montego Bay to present to this trade delegation, their services, as well as products that they may have to offer,” he stated.