Aug. 22, 2001 – Forty-five businesses have already committed to participation in the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce 2001 Business Expo, according to Joe Aubain, chamber executive director.
The consumer and business trade show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday Sept. 7 and 8 at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.
The event is timed for early September to allow for merchandise to be ordered and received prior to the start of winter season and the holidays, Aubain said.
Aubain said, “Business owners and consumers can expect a first rate show with special show prices"
Exhibits in Business Expo 2001 include: Cellular, long distance and wireless communications systems, office equipment & supplies, business and home financing opportunities, pleasure crafts and transportation services, security services, and computer technology, water systems, dairy products, building supplies, resort hotels, marketing and advertising services, home and office furnishings, home appliances and accessories, start-up information for small businesses, mail marketing, wholesalers, specialty items and services.
The expo affords businesses, government agencies and non-for-profits the opportunity to introduce new products and services, provide information or unveil new programs to island businesses and the community at large.
Aubain said the 45 business already committed will take up more than 5,000 square feet of display space.
In addition to the trade show exhibitors, the chamber will host a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 7 at noon in the VIP lounge at the Sports and Fitness Center. The guest speaker will be UVI President Orville Kean, who will be presenting UVI's plans, revealed in June, for the research and technology park he hopes will be built on St. Croix with a mix of investor money and federal funds. The cost of the luncheon will be $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. Members must RSVP by 12 noon, Thursday, Sept. 6.
Another added feature of this year's expo will be the opportunity for the public to attend free seminars on a variety of topics including: The Power of Mail Marketing, Opening Doors to Home Ownership, Savvy Business Banking, Home Decorating in the Caribbean, The Economic Development Commission's Procurement Process and Business Etiquette 101.
Expo attendees will also have the opportunity to win a variety of door prizes that will be drawn every hour on the hour throughout the two days of the expo. Goody bags will also be provided for the first 500 people in attendance.
For more information or to reserve space call the chamber at (340) 776-0100.
The 2001 Business Expo is open to the public free of charge., which is made possible by participating businesses and this year's sponsors, Innovative, AT&T of the Virgin Islands, Business World, Knight Quality Stations, Cingular Wireless and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Exhibitors include: A Better Counter, Ace Sign Studio, ADT of the Virgin Islands, America Financial, American Red Cross, Appliances Plus, AT&T of the V.I., Banco Popular, Business World, Caribbean Business Solutions, Caribbean Herbals, Casa Rustica, Chase Manhattan Bank, Cheryl's Taste of Paradise, Cingular Wireless, Crown Mountain Water, EVC Motors Co., Hovensa, Humane Society of St. Thomas, Innovative Long Distance, Innovative Telephone, Innovative Cable, Innovative Business Systems, Inscriptions, Island Fragrance, MSI, MSI Tile, Bath and Home, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, Offshore Marine, Raymond James & Associates, Rotary Clubs of St. Thomas-St. John, Sapphire Beach Resort, St. Thomas Daireis, Scotia Bank, Silk Greenery Home, UVI's Small Business Development Center, Sprint Caribe, Synchronicity Inc. Terminix, USVI, TLD of the V.I., U.S. Postal Service, UVI, V.I. Employee Benefit Consultants, Working World and Knight Quality Stations.
