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Upon learning that St. Kitts and Nevis would be hosting the Caribbean Export's 2006 Caribbean Gift and Craft Show featuring Caribbean Fashion Rhythms, I was totally flabbergasted. I pictured myself skipping from booth to booth at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Casino, like a kid in a candy store; my eyes roved over the Caribbean's finest craft, art, gifts, fashion and decorative accessories from over 25 countries.
Angst, I sprung out of bed and rushed to the website www.caribbeangiftandcraft.com to browse and imbibe as much information about the September 14th- 17th 2006 trade event. I thought that the CGCS only catered to the avid Caribbean art and craft collectors or small vendors. I did not realize that the CGCS is a MAJOR trade show featuring products and services from the Caribbean's superb creative minds and talents.
"This could be a creative reservoir of ideas and possibly open doors for when I do decide to become a full time artist." As I browsed the website I thought, "this event must be a West Indian Artisan's and Buyer's Paradise." Realizing that Sucre de la Chattel, my art gallery was five years premature for the 2006 Caribbean Gift and Craft Show, I decided to call my friend Denese Berridge.
She is the owner of "Simply Elegant," a small manufacturer of the best scented soaps and candles in St. Kitts. In conversation, Denese informed that she was already registered as a seller for the 2006 Caribbean Craft and Gift Show. Denese said that participation in the trade show would give "Simply Elegant" exposure. She did agree that the CGCS was indeed a West Indian Artisan's and Buyers Paradise.
The Caribbean Gift and Craft Show is a premiere trading event produced by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), which is a regional organization of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM). This organization became operational on January 1, 1996. Caribbean Export's membership base currently consists of the fifteen (15) Member States of CARIFORUM.
These are: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
Discussions are presently in progress to expand the membership to include Cuba, the French DOMs and the Dutch OTCs. Caribbean Export is governed by a Board of Directors from the public and private sector, as appointed by the governments of the Member States.
The Board in turn is answerable to the CARIFORUM Council of Ministers as constituted by the governments of the Member States. The vision of this organization is to be the premier organization for trade development in the Caribbean.
Its mission is to provide quality trade development and trade promotion services to increase the competitiveness of Caribbean companies through effective programme execution and strategic partnerships.
Caribbean Export is committed to the following strategic goals: to become the Trade Facilitation Office of CARIFORUM through support of the implementation of the relevant aspects of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Bilateral Agreements, to improve the capability of CARIFORUM firms to access international markets, to strengthen the institutional capacity and regional networking of Business Support Organizations.
The theme for the CGCS 2006 or the 2006 Caribbean Craft and Gift Show is "Excellence through innovation, creativity and strategic linkages." CGCS said that the theme clearly demonstrates Caribbean Export's commitment to maintaining the show's reputation as the premier regional event for the showcase of design and ingenuity for gift, craft and fashion sectors.
CGCS 2006 promises a range of new and exciting products from across the region. As has been customary, the first two days (September 14th and 15th) will be reserved as special Trade Buyers Days to facilitate business. This year's Caribbean Gift and Craft Show will feature importers/retailers/distributors and gift items, gift shop representatives, interior/designers/decorators/architects, hospitality sector buyers e.g. resort buyers, museum and galleries buyers, spa owners/managers/buyers, specialty furniture stores, department stores, jewellery stores, gourmet shops, coffee shops, garment stores/boutiques, event/conference organizers, house ware buyers, agent/brokers and bookstores.
Products that are usually on display at the CGCS are aromatherapy and herbal products, apparel, basketry, batik, books, ceramics, decorative accessories, dolls, glassware, handmade paper, jewellery, leather, metal craft, paintings, paper products, pottery, sculpture, specialty foods, spun and woven goods, woodcraft and music.
~~Adz:Left~~Judith Rawlins, designer and proprietor of Brown Sugar who has had the opportunity to participate in Caribbean Craft and Gift Show said that she is looking forward to participating in the 2006 Caribbean Craft and Gift Show as it gives one the chance to meet other exporters. She said it gives designers and proprietors an opportunity to see what the market has to offer.
The Kittitian designer said that the Caribbean Craft and Gift Show provided her the opportunity to see how her product fits into the whole design arena. Judith said that the trade show puts buyers and sellers in proximity. She added however that the onus is on the seller to deliver his or her orders. Judith said that the Caribbean Craft and Gift Show is major trade event with a very professional atmosphere.
For the West Indian artisan, buyer, retailer or browser the 2006 Caribbean Craft and Gift Show promises "Excellence through innovation, creativity and strategic linkages.
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