Over 11,000 attendees: Belize Chamber of Commerce declares Expo Belize Marketplace 2023 a grand success

Published by [email protected] at September 20, 2023

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Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2023. 5:48 pm CST.

By Horace Palacio: The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) concluded the Expo Belize Market Place 2023 on a triumphant note, praising exhibitors, sponsors, and patrons alike for turning the event into a notable success.

Held over two days, the Expo witnessed an impressive turnout of over 11,000 visitors, each immersing themselves in the diverse range of local businesses that took to the stage. Staying true to its Triple-C philosophy of Connect, Champion, and Capacitate, the event was more than just an exhibition — it became a hotspot for Belizean artisans to network, expand their consumer outreach, and flaunt their prodigious talents.

The competition for the “Best Booth” was fierce, with criteria based on creativity, professionalism, innovation, and efficiency. Rising above the competition were CK Girls, who clinched the “Best Overall Booth” title. Young entrepreneurs also had their moment in the spotlight, with “Hey Abbz” and “Ashlee’s Baked Creations” sharing the “Best Youth Entrepreneur” title. The “Favorite Booth” award, determined by popular vote, went to Belize Electricity Ltd.

The Expo’s Opening Ceremony was graced by the Mayor of Belize City, who welcomed attendees with enthusiasm. The spotlight, however, was on the Keynote Address by Mr. Andre Salgado, Belize City Branch Manager of Quality Poultry Products. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Salgado not only shared insights on business resilience and the importance of diversifying but also broke the news about Quality’s upcoming store. This initiative will offer local businesses a chance to stock their products on its shelves. Alongside Salgado, Ms. Amira Pelayo, Founder of Sangria Mia, recounted her journey as a micro-business owner, attributing much of her success to the unwavering support of the BCCI.

Adding to the day’s insights, BCCI President Marcello Blake emphasized the significant role the Expo Belize Marketplace plays in fostering innovation and development. “With 211 booths represented by 150 individual businesses from across Belize, our 27th edition was truly groundbreaking. A remarkable 43% of these were micro-businesses. Our mission remains clear — to nurture and pave the way for Belizean innovation, especially given the transformative role of technology in recent years,” said Blake.

Reiterating its commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit of Belize, the BCCI aims to remain a torchbearer for sustainable economic growth. By providing platforms like the Expo Belize Market Place, the BCCI hopes to inspire more businesses to embark on innovative endeavors that can change the Belizean business landscape for the better.

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