Business/Brands: EXPO Jamaica BOB, Best of Booths

Sure, the recently concluded EXPO is "really all about business, about getting people to buy more Jamaican products" as  Deryck Rose, Project Manager fro the Caribbean's largest trade show loves to point out.

But its the booths and the wow - as well as the free samples -  that bring out the masses that make the event newsworthy (notwithstanding deals that have been initiated and consummated there this year). Visual impact is paramount, as is the overall experience, including the knowledgeability, friendliness and product and information offerings of the booth.

Based on the above, the following is a sampling of  booths at this year's EXPO:

Favourite Food Product Booth: B & D Trawling 
Simple truth is, its not every day that one goes into an arena, even fora trade show, and gets to interact with a live - and quite large, we might add- lobster (as did PM Andrew Holness at right). Kudos to the scrappy yet innovative team of "humble fishermen" at B& D for keeping things fresh, in more ways than one. Even without the photo booth, it would still be a hit

Favourite large Enterprise booth: Wisynco

The distributive giant won by a hair (or an optic cable fiber) over energy company JPSCo, and this being in terms of visuals only. Wisynco still needs to work on getting a universal engagement from its booth staff,as there were wide variances in the level of reception between the various brands, even on the lighter Buyer Days.


Favourite Service company booth: JUTC   

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, in serious need of a reliable revenue stream, has launched a series of themed tours, using upmarket carriages that are a cut (or a "plush" ) above the "yellow bus" put out for the daily commuter grind in Kingston. The transport company came out on top largely on the winning personality and willingness to provide info on the part of its vibrantly outfitted reps.


Favourite Tourist industry booth: Couples resort

The personnel were just as nice and welcoming at several other contenders (Sandals, Club Ambiance, Kool Runnings, BayView), but this was the only booth, in a welcome gathering from the Accommodations/ Attractions sector that made me actually want to see what staying there would be like - and they weren't the lowest-price offering.


Special Mention:

In order to take advantage of the impending "snowstorm" of the HBO smash "Game of Thrones" on the EXPO Sunday, media giants FLOW staged a "Castle Black VR Experience" in the front foyer of the Arena and the popular series proved a major draw for EXPO patrons.

Business: EXPO 2016 Shines through blackout

It took more than a temporary, near-islandwide power outage to putthe brakes on EXPO Jamaica 2016, which surged to a possible record climax on Sunday evening (April 17) at the combined venues of the National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

The biennial trade show, which was initially staged in 1971,  was thrown, like much of the island, into darkness due to an unknown mishap that hampered energy company JPSCo, There was initial uncertainty, especially as the outage came around the 7:30 pm mark, won the final night, with but a couple of hours to go before the curtains come down on the Caribbean's largest business trade show.

But the lights were back on within an hour and the show returned to its record-breaking pace as patrons continued to flock the over 170 booths in the two venues. In the National Arena, food and beverage purveyors weren't the only ones who had their hands full dealing with high consumer demand. Designer and apparel manufacturers, household chemical purveyors and furniture and appliance stores all did brisk business with respect to inquiries and actual sales.

Not far away, in the Sports Centre, accommodations ad attractions purveyors, under the imprimatur of the Jamaica Tourist Board's "Ultimate Jamaican Stay-cation" campaign, were fielding numerous inquiries from the public in relation to their offerings and rates, whilst the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) promoted several agri-business initiatives and other service providers made persons aware of the latest innovations in fields from auto insurance to credit reporting.

In between, there was a dedicated Kids' Pavilion offering a range of diversions, from  ball toss and other games to a mini petting Zoo, care of the New Hope Zoo, where the youngsters could  get up close with a number of "critters". Commercial fishing enterprise B& D Trawling, made animals the "stars" of its display, with large tanks holding fresh fish and live lobsters, the latter being held for and by some intrepid members of the audience.

The pull-down, reconciliation and reporting commenced on Monday (April 18), with indications that EXPO Jamaica 2016 will be one for the history books.

Business: Buyers "BE-happy" at EXPO 2016

The normal credo is "buyer beware, but the buyer representatives that gathered in the Hospitality Suite of the National Arena on Friday afternoon (April 15), courtesy of JAMPRO and organizers the JMA and JEA, were effusive in their praise of EXPO Jamaica 2016.

The buyers, representing some 26 overseas nations, as well as indigenous Jamaican interests, were commending not only the event in terms of its execution, but were also impressed with the high quality of the products on offer and the professionalism of the participating manufacturers/exporters. Several were on repeat visits, while others were enjoying their first EXPO Jamaica experience.

One particular buyer rep, from the UK Trade Promotion Agency, spoke to a major deal forthcoming from the EXPO 2016 presence, and further promised that EXPO Jamaica 2018 (scheduled for April 19-22) will see many more interested parties.

Meanwhile, as JAMPRO and the JMA-JEA feted the dealers above the show floor, public demand was reaching critical mass as members of the public, not originally scheduled to be admitted until 5pm, were clamoring to admitted from as early as 3pm. Recognizing the intensity of the public desire to interact with the over 170 displays in the combined space of the National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre, took the decision to "fly the gate" and allow earlier admittance of the public. The early press pointed to what may well be record attendance over the three public days of the event.


EXPO was presented with the support of FLOW, JPSCo, Appleton, Red Stripe, the Gleaner, the Jamaica Tourist Board and a host of other partners.

Business: EXPO OPENS IN FULL COLOUR, EXPO release 2

With a colourfully adapted rendition of the National Anthem, performances from Nexxus Group and PM Andrew Holness (shown at left, with FLOW CEO Garry Sinclair and Anglican Archbishop Robert Gregory) and Governor-General Patrick Allen in attendance, the 2016 edition of the JMA-JEA EXPO officially opened inside the National Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday.

JMA President Merry Seaga had exhortations for both Government and his manufacturing sector colleagues; to the Govt, he sought greater use of Jamaican producers, and from his colleagues he sought a recommitment to improving quality in products and processes.

Recently elected President of the JEA Chong spoke of the rich resources afforded the island, including its strategic location in the heart of the Caribbean, natural produce and renowned reggae music, describing them as blessings.

Members of the EXPO Committee, Merry Seaga, Chong and Aswad Morgan declared great pleasure with the outcome. " It's a magnificent effort from our entire team" Morgan said, adding that there was a concerted push towards driving business for Jamaican producers.

The Prime Minister, in his remarks, said trade shows such as EXPO Jamaica, were a source of natural pride for Jamaica. " Manufacturing is still alive and kicking, and Jamaican producers are holding their own amongst their international counterparts." Prime Minister Holiness also announced the pending appointment of special "investment ambassadors" who will be charged with seeking new business opportunities for Jamaica in India, the Middle East and Europe.

Main sponsor FLOW was represented by CEO Gary Sinclair, who spike to his company's longstanding association with the biennial trade show. Sinclair also pointed out that FLOW's involvement, which included the provision of internet connectivity and various related data services was part of its strategic programme of supporting Jamaican business competitiveness in enhancing productivity.

Ahead of the glitzy opening ceremony, buyers from over 26 countries, representing the major markets of the world, converged on the Arena to confer with exhibitors showcasing a diverse array of wares and services. They included commodities distributors from Bermuda, freight consolidators from Guadeloupe and media entities from Canada, the USA, and the CARICOM region.

Business: EXPO 2016 release 1

Work continued apace Wednesday (April 13) ahead of today's grand Opening Ceremony at the Independence Park complex in preparation for the 2016 edition of the JMA-JEA EXPO.

This year's renewal of the biennial trade show sees over 200 exhibitors in 171. booths spread over 2 venues, the National Arena and the nearby National Indoor Sports Centre.

Organizers are gearing for record attendance from the public, and are already pleased to have attracted some 500.buyers from 26 overseas countries.

The biennial event cones this year at a critical juncture in the island's economic history, with both public and private sectors seeking to maximize returns while operating from leaner economic inputs.