Local and international buyers who attended Expo Jamaica 2010 in June had high praises for the organizing team of JAMPRO, the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) for their efforts in facilitating a rich and productive buyer experience at the island’s biggest trade show.
“Expo Jamaica 2010 was the best produced show that I ever attended. I commend the exhibitors whose displayed lucrative products. The exhibitors were knowledgeable about their products and assistance was readily available in the booths,” stated Izzy Hoppenfeld, whose New York-based Eve Sales Corporation has been one of the biggest importers of Jamaican products in the tri-state area for over 30 years.
“I was impressed by the quality of Jamaican products and congratulate the organizers on a job well done. Based on my interactions, I have gotten many contacts that can enhance my business,” added Gale Peart of Jamaican firm My Elite Grocer.
John Beckford, Executive Director of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce.in Florida, also offered his congratulations to the Expo Jamaica 2010 organizing team for what he described as “a job well done…and for holding fast in planning and organizing the event despite the odds.” Horace Gooden of FCB Consultants Limited (Canada) indicated that he achieved his main objective of securing distribution contracts. Bermudan Meredith Adams Brown of 27th Century Boutique praised the Expo Jamaica organizers for consistently raising the bar with each staging of the event.
“This is my third visit to Expo Jamaica 2010 and I commend the team of organizers for constant improvement over the years. I enjoyed great success in meeting a lot of business associates.”
Through the efforts of JAMPRO, the official buyer recruitment partner of Expo Jamaica 2010, a record total of 253 buyers attended Expo Jamaica 2010, which was staged at the National Arena in Kingston from June 17 – 20.
Working closely with the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), the principal organisers of the event, JAMPRO’s successful recruitment efforts netted 405 registrants on the way to marginally exceeding the set target of 250 confirmed buyers. The buyers in attendance at the island’s biggest trade show came from 17 countries, namely Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, BVI, Canada, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Curacao, Suriname, T&T, UK, Germany, Belgium and the USA.
“JAMPRO had to surmount several challenges emanating from the recent unrest in Kingston, but through assiduous effort and in partnership with the JEA and JMA, we were able to achieve our goal of attracting a significant number of quality buyers from local and international markets to Expo Jamaica 2010,” stated Sancia Bennett Templer, President of JAMPRO.
Expo Jamaica 2010 showcased over 2,000 quality products and services by Jamaican businesses from 15 industries. Buyers benefited from a programme consisting of pre-arranged business matching meetings with exhibitors, ground transportation, pre-arranged site visits and recreational tours of local attractions through the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and St. Ann Chamber of Commerce. Exhibitors have indicated that they continue to receive orders, requests for samples and negotiate with buyers who attended Expo Jamaica.
