Tortuga Rum Company takestop prize for best booth ...
C. L. Flowers demonstrateNew Blocks
Grand Cayman's Lions Centreis abuzz this weekend, September 14-16, as over 80 Caymanian companiesgather to showcase their operations in the Cayman Islands Chamberof Commerce Expo 2000, under the theme, 'Business and Technologyfor the new Millennium'.
Expo 2000 is the ninth annualrenewal of the Chamber's business fair.
Declaring the Expo officiallyopened, the Hon. Thomas Jefferson, Minister of Tourism, Transportand Works, commended the Chamber for "carrying out its mandateof encouraging and promoting the development of business in Cayman."
"Around the world,technology is changing in massive proportions," the Ministersaid. "It is vital for the Cayman Islands to stay in stepwith the various changes to maintain a competitive advantage inthe area of financial servics, in the provision of tourism facilities,and in business generally," he added.
Chamber president, Mr. DavidFoster, was optimistic about the staging of the event. "Thisninth annual Business Expo will not disappoint. It is truly aone stop shopping extravaganza," he enthused. "Thereis representation from every industry sector with a heightenedemphasis on technology and communications, two sectors that bearthe greatest influence on the future path of local business."
Chief Executive Officerof the Chamber, Mr. Will Pineau, further explained the objectivesof the Expo.
"The ultimate aim isto expose the local community to the tremendous variety of productsand services available in the Cayman Islands. This year, we decidedto introduce a special section to the Expo focusing on e-business."
He noted that with the passgeof two important pieces of legislation for e-commerce, the Chamberbelieved the time was right to "explore the tremedous opportunitiesthat are available in e-business."
Mr. Pineau observed thatthere is a record number of exhibitors this year, partly due tothe focus on technology, but that the Chamber was keen to showcaseall industries. When the first Expo was held nine years ago, therewere fewer than 20 exhibitors, compared to the over 80 today,Mr. Pineau said.
Expo 2000 has "boundlessvariety. Patrons can get everything from having their carpet cleanedto planning a new home, or buying and installing a new computersystem," he said.
The Expo is a major fundraiserfor the Chamber, as well as a major project to promote its members'businesses.
Thousands of residents andvisitors are expected to visit the Expo over its two-day staging.Thursday night's programme includes a Business After Hours soiree-- an opportunity for the business community to socialize.
Exhibitors are as upbeatas the event's organisers, as they look forward to a weekend ofexposure and opportunities for growth in business.
One such hopeful is MegatronLimited, a Microsoft Solution provider, which is using the Expoto promote its new division, MegaNet -- a computer offshore Internetand e-commerce service, established to promote and keep the revenuefrom e-commerce in the Cayman Islands, Megatron's IT Consultant,Dr. Richard Collett says. He added that the company has been doingthis for over three years, but has just set up the division tofurther promote it.
Another exhibitor, IslandOffices, which rents office and boardroom space, provides jobplacement and recruitment services, is also using the Expo topromote its newest offering, Cyber Screen Cafe, as well as itstraditional business. "We're hoping for a lot of new businessand to pass our professionalism onto the workforce and the society,"says sales executive, Kevin Moxam.
Another technology-drivencompany, Creative Digital Video, expressed similar sentiments."We're hoping that when people think of video, they thinkof our business, with video produced right here in Cayman,"says managing director, Rod Chesnutt, who likened the Expo toa country fair. "Everybody gets to see everybody's new waresand it's a great social occasion," he explained.
Expo 2000 is open from noonto 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15 and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.on Saturday, September 16.