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Exhibitor Finds Market at Christmas in July Trade Show

By: , June 21, 2017

The Key Point:

Ever since securing the United States Embassy as a major client at the first staging of the ‘Christmas in July’ trade show in 2015, Marketing Director of Sidcile Craft Limited, Sydia Brown-Griffiths, anxiously awaits the event each year.

The Facts

  • She tells JIS News that she feels fulfilled each time she fills an order, especially since her clients “do not have to go abroad to get quality and to get authentic (products), done on time”.
  • For the 2017 staging of the trade show, Sidcile Craft Limited is hoping to broaden its clientele by targeting banks and hotels across the island or any other individual yet to hear about their service.

The Full Story

Ever since securing the United States Embassy as a major client at the first staging of the ‘Christmas in July’ trade show in 2015, Marketing Director of Sidcile Craft Limited, Sydia Brown-Griffiths, anxiously awaits the event each year.

In that year, Mrs. Brown-Griffiths was requested to satisfy an order of approximately 200 custom-made straw iPad cases for the Embassy, and last year satisfied requests for hats for HEART Trust/NTA and fans for PROVEN Wealth Limited.

She tells JIS News that she feels fulfilled each time she fills an order, especially since her clients “do not have to go abroad to get quality and to get authentic (products), done on time”.

Mrs. Brown-Griffiths points out that she prefers to utilise straw in the making of products, due to its malleability.

Not only is straw used to make items such as fans, iPad cases and hats, but other products such as handbags, conference folders, wedding souvenirs, and just about any other product a client desires.

The Sidcile Marketing Director notes that other materials used in the making of the items “would just be used to enhance the straw”.

For the 2017 staging of the trade show, Sidcile Craft Limited is hoping to broaden its clientele by targeting banks and hotels across the island or any other individual yet to hear about their service.

“A lot of persons still do not know about us. They may want items, but still go overseas, because they do not know that there is a company that can do these things,” says Mrs. Brown-Griffiths.

She supports the Christmas in July initiative out of the Tourism Ministry because of its role in unearthing authentic entrepreneurs, and hopes it remains an annual event.

Meanwhile, Project Manager of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley, says the trade show which is in its third year, has been successful.

“Last year, we had 135 applicants and, of that, 107 of them were able to make the show. At this point, we have approximately 100 applicants, but once people see the date approaching, that is when you will have a (large) number of applications,” she said.

Mrs. McDonald-Riley notes that data is being examined to determine the number of connections established between exhibitors and clients at the 2016 staging.

She informs that the data will be used to provide greater connectivity between those exhibitors and potential clients.

The Christmas in July trade show, to be staged on July 27 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, is an important fixture in the Tourism Ministry’s calendar for its role in showcasing the dynamic offerings of Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Mrs. McDonald Riley indicates that the Tourism Ministry will continue the initiative as long as it remains relevant.

Persons interested in participating in the Christmas in July trade show are invited to apply before the June 22 deadline.

The application form is accessible at the Ministry of Tourism’s website: www.mot.gov.jm or its partners’ websites: www.jbdc.net; www.jma.com.jm; www.jhta.org; and www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org.

Last Updated: June 21, 2017

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