New Home for Christmas in July Trade Show

The annual ‘Christmas in July’ trade show will have a new home at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston for its ninth staging from July 12 to 13.

The trade show will open at 9:00 a.m. each day and will include an opening ceremony on Day 1, when Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will deliver the keynote address.

Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald Riley, told JIS News that this year’s staging will provide an opportunity for 175 local producers of gifts and souvenir items to promote their products to alternative market segments.

On display will be several products in the categories of desktop solutions, spa and aromatherapy, décor, clothing, fine art, jewellery, souvenirs, food, and products created from organic and natural fibres.

She mentioned that media personalities, Dahlia Harris, and Ian “Ity” Ellis will be the hosts for Day 1 of the trade show, and Dahlia will continue guiding the proceedings on Day 2.

Mrs. McDonald Riley encouraged Jamaicans and corporate Jamaica to attend the event and go in search of that “authentic Jamaican-made gift item”, which they can order early or purchase for their loved ones or colleagues ahead of the upcoming Christmas season.

“Don’t wait until the last minute to think about the gift you want to get for Christmas. By attending the trade show, you will be exposed to a variety of products from which you can choose,” said the Tourism Linkages Director.

She informed that last year 180 local manufacturers and suppliers participated in the event, which was held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Christmas in July is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the TEF, and its partners, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA).