The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has partnered with key private and public sector experts to deliver an unforgettable and impactful learning experience at its 10th Annual Small Business Expo at Conference. The event is scheduled to be staged at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Thursday May 11, 2017 between the hours of 9:00am and 7:00pm under the theme: Think Big. Scale Up. Go Global.
“We will start the day’s activities with the official Opening Ceremony and move right into our Think Big power up segment headlined by Ms. Krystal Tomlinson – Communications Practitioner & Self-Management Strategist, Ms. Heneka Watkis-Porter – Founder, Patwa Apparel and Ms. Opal Levy – Partner, Sisters’ Ink Management Consultants & Network Manager, Alpha Angels. We recognize the significance of the entrepreneurial mindset in the success of businesses and so this one-hour segment is designed to do instill positive thinking in the minds of entrepreneurs which will in turn influence their operations,” explained Corporate Communications Manager, Ms. Suzette Campbell.
The Scale Up and Go Global segments will run concurrently throughout the day and consist of five 45 minutes – 1 hour workshops each. Scale Up is designed to help entrepreneurs understand their businesses well enough to know when it’s the right time to scale, as well as identify growth strategies including appropriate financing for their stage of business, knowing how and when to innovate, how to harness and use data for growth and marketing.
The Go Global segment encourages entrepreneurs to seek growth beyond Jamaica’s borders. This takes into account critical areas such as brand building, negotiation, trading, knowledge of the global market and exposure to niche markets like Latin America.
“Expert presenters for both Scale Up and Go Global have been recruited from The Embassy of Mexico, the Jamaica Exporters Association, The Trade Board, Prism Communications, the University of the West Indies, eMedia Interactive, Development Bank of Jamaica, Jamaica Stock Exchange, First Angels Jamaica, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, as well as independents,” Ms. Campbell explained.
There’s also a special ‘Business Hour’ segment which features presentations from three Expo 2017 partners including title sponsor, National Commercial Bank, as well as, Yello Jamaica and DGS Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors. “This segment takes place mid-way Scale Up and Go Global and will equip entrepreneurs withinformation on how the role these entities play in the entrepreneurial journey. This promises to be exciting and interactive with a power packed panel of NCB team members, the highly sought after Digital Marketing from Yello Jamaica and exposure on how to lessen the burden by DGS,” Ms. Campbell added.
Other sponsors include Phase 3 Productions, Fidelity Motors, Herald Printers, Media Impact, Logo Stitch, Vantage One Event Rentals, Television Jamaica, RJR 94FM and Jamaica Observer. More than 30 Exhibitors including government agencies, private sector companies and small businesses will be on show. Last year’s Expo saw a 55% increase in attendance with more than 800 persons descending on the venue. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at www.jbdc.net or visit the company’s Head Office at 14 Camp Road in Kingston. Registration costs: $1000 pre-sold or $1500 at the venue.
Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries.