Jamaica International Exhibition mingle

IN THE midst of the latest models of Audi, Honda, and VW automobiles, the Montego Bay business community officially welcomed the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association’s contingency at the first in a series of Jamaica International Exhibition (JIE) business mingles.

Hosted by chief executive officer (CEO) of ATL and Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart, the event, a precursor to the expo slated for June 1-3 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, received a warm reception from the Second City on Tuesday night.

Stewart, in his welcome remarks, spoke of Montego Bay being named the fastest region in Jamaica and the immense potential the city has for contributing to the island’s economic growth.

Excited by the prospects, Stewart noted that it was events such as JIE that would help Jamaica to get to where it needs to in terms of the five per cent growth being touted by the Government.

HEARTENED BY TURNOUT

Between bites of the best-tasting shrimp this side of the island, brie and grapes brochette, cured ham and melon, salami, and herbed cream cheese cornets, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) Metry Seaga spoke of how heartened and encouraged he was by the turnout.

“The JMA has successfully hosted Expo Jamaica, with most of you may be familiar for over 30 years. In doing so, we realised that there was a need for a show of this magnitude that allows Jamaica to showcase its

intent and demonstrate how serious it is as a place to do business and become a logistics hub,” Seaga told the gathering.

But even while they listened, the gathering could not help indulging in the smoked salmon rilettes and the tomato and jerk chicken bruschetta that were magical on the taste buds.

Chicken sate with peanut sauce, gourmet meat balls, callaloo and ackee quiche, and mini fish cakes completed this fine-dining cocktail event.

With food as exciting as this, and a premium bar flowing freely, Seaga noted that the exhibition was aimed at connecting local, regional, and international buyers, suppliers, distributors, and investors to forge new relationships or strengthen existing ones.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY ANGUIN Simone Flowers is all smiles with André Dixon.

From left: David Mullings of ATL; his colleague Petrena Purser; and Richard Bourke, managing director of Amstar.

From left: Robert Headley poses with Rena Forbes and Ricky Purkiss.

From left: Angelo Coy poses with Imega Breese-McNabb and Metry Seaga, president of the JMA.

Sonya Allen ‘mingling’ with Gary Whittaker.

Peta-gay Tobias (left) and Shenniel Henderson; completely engrossed in a brochure.