Permanent home being sought for Everything Vincy Plus Expo (+Video)

Organizers of the Everything Vincy Plus Expo, Invest SVG, have recognized the growth of the event since its inception in 2017 and have embarked on the task of finding a “permanent home”.

This year’s expo ran from October 26 to 29 and was held on the northern side of the runway of the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale.

Despite heavy showers, patrons came out to see the displays of the dozens of local and regional businesses.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday, Chairman of Invest SVG Anthony Regisford told those in attendance that a designated space is needed to get around the financial and logistical headache of constructing a venue.

OWNER OF COCOA KALINAGO, Delphine Hadley (right) with one of her employee

“Finding a permanent home for an exhibition centre is a task that I believe Invest SVG is going to embrace and execute … hopefully we won’t have to construct and deconstruct, it is very expensive. Beyond that, we really need to have a centre where we can host events such as exhibitions.”

The Expo was held at the decommissioned airport for the first year and in years to follow, the Geest Shed Terminal in Kingstown housed the event.

The recently appointed Executive Director of Invest SVG, Glen Beache said the team expected that the weather would present some challenges, but he believed that the expansion of this year’s event is “arguably the best Everything Vincy” that has been hosted so far.

Beache said the organization intends to focus more on the improvement and exposure of local businesses.

“One of our aims is to make sure that our presence is felt here in SVG and I think you will see a lot of us reaching out more and making sure that Vincentian people feel our presence in terms of … making your business a professional one.”

Local exhibitors who spoke to SEARCHLIGHT described the Expo as extraordinary as it relates to business exposure.

“We have much more exposure and we are getting to meet new customers and they are showing interest in our stuff,” the owner of Unique Creative Designs, Andine Joseph said. The designer displayed her products at a booth along with Kimya Glasglow Designs and A&B Designs- the company whose upcycled ECGC flour sack was recently featured on the shoulder of Meghan Markle.

Joseph said the goal is to get people excited about upcycled products.

“People are now getting to know what the benefits of these bags are.”

Owner of Cocoa Kalinago, Delphine Hadley said the Expo allows Vincentians to learn about the quality of locally sourced products.

“We work with quality beans here… this cocoa is the culture of St Vincent. Vincentians don’t really know our product that well. The reactions has been amazing.”

The Expo received an injection of funds from the Embassy of Taiwan in the amount of USD$40,000, among other sponsors.