Thirty plus local businesses participated in the Buy BVI Trade Expo 2023 on the 27th – 28th October 2023 under the theme Celebrating the Virgin Islands’ Entrepreneurial Spirit. The objective of the annual event is to create a platform for micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) to market their goods or services and engage with customers. This year’s showcase came from a variety of industries: agriculture, creative industries, food services, health & wellness, community health support, government agencies, financial services, construction, entertainment, telecom, and professional services. The Expo hasn’t been held at this scale since 2017 due to the hurricanes and 2020 pandemic.

On Friday, there was an opening program where the keynote speaker was the Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Labour, Hon. Lorna G. Smith who shared plans to develop a business- friendly environment and growing the Virgin Islands’ economy. At the closing, a plaque was presented to the family of Hon. Delores Christopher for her founding of the Trade Show back in 1997 as the head of the Trade Promotion Unit – Premier’s Office in collaboration with the BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association.

BVI Chamber of Commerce’s Event Coordinator, Ms. Lauralee Mercer shared, “The Expo’s return was highly anticipated, and it was exciting to see the response of the business community to sponsor and donate prizes and the level of displays that were created by exhibitors. We are looking forward to more businesses participating next year. We especially want to recognise Unite BVI who sponsored the registration fees for six small businesses to be able to participate in this year’s event.”

On the Saturday, awards were given out for the exhibitor's competition and the winners were:

People’s Choice Award – Chenaye Duncan of Royalty 11
Most Creative Booth – Kenneth Matthew of K’s Plumbing and Maintenance Services
Best Biz Pitch- Xhanae Barry of Everything Organic

The event was proudly sponsored by gold sponsor AZP Productions and bronze sponsors Flow, CG Insurance, Republic Bank, Unite BVI and National Bank of the Virgin Islands. Prizes were generously donated by 1973 Restaurant, CTL, DeCastro Marking, Digicel, Hunte & Co., Island Services, Kidds Korner, 284 Media, One Mart, Rave Studios, The Boys Service Station, and Tradewinds Mexican Grill.

The BVI Chamber of Commerce (BVI CoC), formerly known as the Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, is a non-government, not-for-profit organization that has been the voice of business for 54 years and supports the business community through advocacy for a business-friendly environment, training resources, and networking events that empower, educate and equip businesses for their success. For more information, email info@bvichamber.org or call 345-3513.

Media Contact:
Lauralee Mercer
Email: events@bvichamber.org