JMEA excited to host its first in-person expo since 2018

Durrant Pate/Contributor

After a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans are now in high gear for the staging of Expo Jamaica from April 27 to April 30 last year.

The National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre will be transformed into a multi-sectoral exposition showcasing manufacturers, exporters, primary producers, tourism industry players and service providers, creating a carefully-curated display of Jamaican products and services. Expo Jamaica, which showcases the prowess of the local productive sectors and all that Brand Jamaica has to offer the world, was unfortunately cancelled in April 2020 and only a virtual event was held in October 2021.

As such, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), organisers of Expo Jamaica, is extremely excited for the first in-person expo since 2018 said Executive Director Kamesha Blake. Expo Jamaica 2023 marks a return to the scale and breadth of pre-pandemic events.

With the theme set around the clear goal of ‘Connecting Jamaica to the World,’ Expo 2023 is not expected to be different, as it will feature a wide variety of booth exhibitors, industry influencers and brands that represent the local industry make-up.

“The event provides an excellent opportunity to discover and learn more about Jamaican products and services as it offers an excellent platform for local businesses to market their products as well as strengthen their brands and participate in high-value networking by connecting with both local and international buyers to solidify business expansion and exports,” said Blake.

Details on Expo 2023

The four-day event will be divided into buyer and consumer days with the buyers taking precedence on the first two days, April 27 and 28, to give an opportunity to businesses to make B2B connections. On the last two days, April 29 and 30, the Expo will open its doors to thousands of consumers, who always look forward to booth exhibitions, product samples and to make purchases of locally manufactured goods and fresh produce.

Expo Jamaica has grown significantly in size and reputation to become the English-speaking Caribbean’s top tradeshow with an audience that returns mainly from the Caribbean, North and South America and Europe. The biennial event at its last in-person staging in 2018, attracted more than 220 exhibitors, 570 buyers and 21,500 consumers.

As the world gets over the pandemic, which sees tourist rushing to our shores and largescale events returning to in-person staging, the JMEA expects a massive turnout for Expo Jamaica. Exhibitors, sponsors and buyers are strongly encouraged to contact the JMEA to secure their space.

The long-standing event, first held in 1971 is the largest and most impactful trade show of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. The show is firmly acknowledged as the go-to hub to identify quality local products and do business with Jamaican manufacturers and exporters.

The JMEA as the organiser is very focused on ensuring that the event provides opportunities for increasing trade, exports and investment which is a part of the Association’s mandate, being the largest business development organisation in Jamaica for the productive sectors.