We are ready to share SVG with the world – Pollard

“We don’t want St Vincent to be the best kept secret anymore.”

And, according to artistic director of the St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) delegation to CARIFESTA 2017 Julian Pollard, we are ready to invite the world to come to SVG to see what we have to offer.

Pollard was speaking at a press conference at the CDC’s conference room last week to announce the participation of SVG at the regional showcase.

“In this Carifesta we are going to make sure that everybody knows that we are here and that we are ready, not just for the usual sea and sand, but in terms of eco-tourism, sports tourism and cultural tourism.”

Minister of Culture Cecil McKie said the selection of individuals to the delegation would allow us to have full representation as it is across the different age groups, different genres and different aspects of culture.

“We see an excellent opportunity to build and develop capacity. It also gives us an opportunity to sell St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The 39-member delegation left St Vincent on August 16 and 17 to represent SVG at the 13th staging of CARIFESTA in Barbados and will return on August 27. The delegation is travelling under the theme “The Cultural gateway #AIAVincyExperience.”

Among the delegation are the current Ragga Soca Monarch Hance John, current Soca Monarch Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper, former Soca Monarch Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle, former Calypso Monarchs Zamfir “Man Zangie’ Adams and Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, and Rondy ‘Luta’ McIntosh and Jamarie ‘L Pank’ Stapleton.

Also representing SVG are pannists Jomoro Francis and Rodney Small, former Miss SVG and dancer Juanita Phillips, dancer Claydonna Peters, guitarist John ‘Zan’ George, keyboardist Andrew James, bass guitarist Arbie James, fashion designers Kimon Baptiste and Peta Odini Sutherland, poet Gloria Williams and craftsman Nzimbu Browne.

The head of the delegation is Ashford Woods.

Representative of the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) Keisha Phillips said the CED and Vincy Klus have been able to get nine processors to be a part of the local delegation.

Phillips said the hope is to achieve more than just sales from their participation in CARIFESTA.

“Too often we regard trade shows and exhibitions as just an opportunity to sell a few products and we do not go beyond this.

“In our vision at the CED to get persons ready for the regional and international market and to further build their capacity as business men and women, we hope that they are going to showcase the best and newest products that they have to offer from SVG.”

Phillips also stated that the participants will get the opportunity to network with possible buyers, possible investors and also their competitors within the region, so they are treating this as a marketing gathering session.

The small business operators going to CARIFESTA are: Aleitha Garraway of Aurora’s, Sharon Little of Pringers, Unice Pierre of U D’s, Bernadette Warren of Brio Che, Jasmin Deane of Jazzys All Natural, Merle Gellizeau of Merle’s Arts and Craft, Bartholemew Quammie of Tuff’s Arts and Crafts, Veronica Charles of Veronica’s Creation and Dawn Bacchus of Immense Bags.

Phillips also appealed to Vincentians living in Barbados to come out and support the delegation. She stated that this is another opportunity for our small businesses to get out there.

CARIFESTA 13 is being held under the theme “Asserting Our Culture, celebrating Ourselves” and will run for 11 days in Barbados.(JWC)