More than 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor display space has been committed for the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce 1999 Business Exposition. The show, the first since Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6 and 7, in the ballroom and on the grounds of the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. (not 9 a.m.) to 5 p.m. Sunday.
In the ballroom, exhibits will feature the latest computer hardware, software and Internet service; furnishings and accessories; telephone and telecommunications equipment and services; security devices and services; electronics gear; insurance, banking and financing services; floral design; public relations; management consulting; public television; art and other locally made products; office equipment; hardware; travel services; storage facilities; dental care; locally produced water; hot tubs and more.
Chamber executive director Joe Aubain said the Business Expo "after a hiatus of a few years has returned bigger and better with the addition of the outdoor exhibits under the tent." There, he said, visitors will find standard and electric-powered cars, boats, electric bicycles, swimming pools and other larger products.
Historically, Aubain said, the chamber's consumer trade show has offered local businesses "a tremendous opportunity to introduce new products and services to island business people and the general public, as well as to market their basic inventory of merchandise and services."
The show, chamber president John P. deJongh Jr. said, will provide the St. Thomas-St. John community "an opportunity to view, purchase and learn more about the services of the many chamber businesses that will be exhibiting in this exposition." He noted that the exposition directly advances three chamber objectives: improving the availability of the finest business goods and services to all V.I. residents, advancing public understanding of business, and advancing the interests of member businesses.
Businesses taking part in the expo are:
AMCO Auto Sales & Service, ADT Security Systems, The American Red Cross, Arriva Boat Charters, Atlantique, Axesa Virgin Islands (The Yellow Book), Banco Popular, A Better Counter, C.E. Brathwaite & Associates, Cape Air, Caribbean Coalition for Training & Development, Caribbean Herbals, CellularOne, Centurian Security Systems, Chase Manhattan Bank, Cheryl's Taste of Paradise, Clear Day Health & Wellness Systems, The Cloth Horse, Cobex, The Color of Joy, The Computer Place, Discount Travel, Electronics Unlimited, First American Title Insurance, Island Fragrance, Knight Quality Stations, Liberated Artists & Floral Design;
MAPes MONDe, Moore's Dental Care, Offshore Marine, Premium Finance Caribbean, Prisco, Red Hook Ace, Richard Moore, St. Thomas Beverage, St. Thomas/St. Croix Insurance, The Sea Chest, Silk Greenery, Spenceley Office Equipment, Sprint International Caribe, Tile Bath & Beyond, TOPS, V.I. Access, V.I. Employee Benefits Consultants, V.I. PowerNet, V.I. Public Television System, Vitel Cellular, Vitelco, Vitelcom, Winnie's Household Furnishings and Working World.
As a special feature of the show, the chamber is hosting two V.I. Women's Business Center seminars on Saturday. Economist Richard Moore will speak on "Moving from a Local to a Global Economy" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., focusing on export-import regulations. He'll discuss how to locate a fertile market, find the best distributor and entrepreneurial organizations, and market on-line, giving special attention to circumstances faced by V.I. entrepreneurs seeking to develop export-market capabilities.
The second seminar, "The Government Procurement Process," will be presented by a government representative, from 2 to 4 p.m. Topics to be covered include the pre-bid and bidding processes, preferred-bidder certification, negotiated vs. bid contracts, and contractual language. The Women's Business Center is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development.
The expo and the two seminars are open to the public without charge. Shuttle transportation will be provided adjacent to the outside exhibit area.
