Kittitian Expo opens window to the world
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – BUSINESSES offering a varied array of goods and services available in St. Kitts-Nevis were well received at the opening of this year’s Kittitian Expo being held at the St. Kitts Marriott Ballroom.
The two-day event (Nov. 7-8) will run from 10am-10pm daily and has attracted over 25 businesses covering just about 36 booths. The event is designed to provide exposure to local businesses. The Expo is a product of Vh Communications and Marketing Agency and has propelled many business ideas into growing, successful small businesses.
Vh Communications and Marketing Agency CEO, Val Henry told SKNVibes that the response from the businesses has generally been very positive. He informed that there have been a few mitigating factors, including the passage of Hurricane Omar, that caused some companies to be unable to participate. He added that they had committed their participation in next year’s Kittitian Expo.
“We want to ensure, specifically for the new businesses, that they walk away from the Expo feeling a part of the local business community; having a strong foothold in business relations. We want the businesses to be able to make new contacts to establish a new customer base. The media exposure will assist the businesses to be better known.”
Henry noted that the Kittitian Expo wishes to establish a very strong relationship with the Ministry of Trade to start coordinating overseas trade shows and provide maximum exposure to local businesses. ~~Adz:Right~~
Minister of International Trade Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris stated that although the Expo is privately operated, the government continues to promote the importance of trade fairs and build awareness of businesses. He stressed that the government encourages such efforts and welcomes more businesses from the private sector to use the Expo to be more aggressive with marketing and promotion. He also noted that once there is great interest in trade exhibited by the private sector, then the government will “deal with the facilitation”.
“This Expo has many benefits to St. Kitts-Nevis. It provides an opportunity for showcasing a wide range of products. What was interesting to note was that a lot of small businesses were at the Expo, which is a good start. It also helps to create awareness of products and services available in the country and increase sales. Businesses will get new customers who may not have otherwise come to their businesses.”
Dr. Harris noted that sharing space with competitors allows other companies to have a look at the services provided while at the same time grow to have a better appreciation of customer wants and needs.
The general public is invited to attend the free exhibition and view the assortment of services available in the fields of telecommunication, construction, finance and banking, information technology, retail and others.
