Lasting links made at speed networking event

IN MARCH, the Ministry of Tourism hosted the third Tourism Linkages Speed Networking Event, which afforded producers of Jamaican goods and services direct contact with operators in the tourism sector. Last year, providers of entertainment and construction goods and services had the opportunity to meet with tourism decision-makers.

Celebrated fashion designer Earl ‘Biggy’ Turner, well known in the entertainment industry for his popular Biggy Fashions, attended the event and was quite satisfied.

“I’ve met a lot of the hotel representatives and I received good, positive response; it’s for me now to go back and package what it is I’m expecting to sell them, which is fashion to complement the music,” he highlighted.

Simone Harris, executive director of 360 Artistes, an arts management agency, was very pleased with the reception she received at the speed networking event.

She said: “I think this is an absolutely great opportunity for the creative industries, for the price. I mean, if I were to try to meet with all these buyers here I couldn’t afford it, not in time and in money; this is a great opportunity to sit face to face with the people who make the decisions about entertainment in their properties.”