Woman 2004 Trade Fair from November 27 to 28

Woman Incorporated (WOMAN INC.) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and as part of activities to mark the milestone, the organization will be staging its annual trade fair and exhibition later this month.
President of the organization, Dundeen Ferguson, gave details of the WOMAN 2004 Trade Fair and Exhibition yesterday ( Nov. 4) at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, which will also be the site for the event. The trade fair and exhibition is scheduled for Saturday, November 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year’s theme is: ‘WOMAN INC. – Celebrating 20 years’ and the guest speaker will be His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie.
Ms. Ferguson said the event would provide an opportunity for booth holders and sponsors to showcase their goods and services and assured the audience that her organisation intended to maintain the high standard usually associated with its highly touted and unique trade fair.
“Our talks will be scintillating and thought-provoking and our entertainment will be superb and classy,” she said, informing that there would be a wide range of entertainment, including a gospel concert, and talent show. Eliminations for the shows will take place on Saturday afternoon with the finals on Sunday, to be followed by a fashion show.
Another highlight of the fair will be the ‘Let’s Talk’ discussion session, where a number of topical issues will be debated. The guest speaker for this session will be acclaimed author Maryann Reid, who will speak on ‘Sex and the Single Sister’. Admission to the trade fair is $300 for adults and $100 for children under 12 years of age and students with identification.
WOMAN INC. held its first trade fair and exhibition in 1984, and since then, the annual event has been the primary fundraiser for the organisation. The funds raised are channelled directly to the maintenance of the Crisis Centre, which opened its doors on February 18, 1985, and the Crisis Shelter, which was opened in 1988. This year is the 18th staging of the trade fair and exhibition.
Ms. Ferguson paid tribute to the corporate entities and other sponsors that have supported the work and initiatives undertaken by WOMAN INC. over the years since its inception.
“Our work, which includes maintaining a 24-hour hotline for women, young girls and families in crisis, providing counselling services, providing a safe haven for these survivors, raising public awareness through our public education programmes and lobbying for legislative changes…could not have been achieved without the support of large corporate entities, small businesses and individuals, the media and government agencies,” she said.
The title sponsors for the WOMAN 2004 Trade Fair and Exhibition are Air Jamaica, Nestle, Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB), Cable & Wireless, Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies, Grace, Kennedy Remittance Services, RJR Communications Group, Hilton Kingston Hotel, Anbell Agencies, Radio Mona, IRIE FM/ZIP 103 FM, the Gleaner Company, Roots FM and Lerner Shops.
Other supporting sponsors are American Home Insurance Company, Guardian Life Limited, Ernst & Young, Globe Insurance Company, Guardsman Limited, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Red Stripe, Total Care Learning Centre and Quick Signs.
WOMAN INC.’s 20th anniversary celebrations commenced with a thanksgiving church service at the Saxthorpe Methodist Church on February 15.
Also included in this year’s celebrations is an awards ceremony to recognise persons who have been with WOMAN INC. over the last 20 years. The function will be held on November 25, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The anticipated guest at the function is Dr. Linda Baboolal, President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago.