Toronto trade show part of learning curve
-more planned in 2005
Stabroek News
July 9, 2004
The Guyana trade show rolls on after what manufacturers said was a good turnout at least for one day at the recent Toronto event.
So far this year, Go-Invest has held two other shows in Barbados and Trinidad and more shows are being planned for 2005 in St Lucia, St Vincent, Jamaica, Boa Vista, Brazil and Venezuela. New York will also be considered.
The Toronto show, organised by the Guyana Office for Investment, was held from June 18 to 20 and Go-Invest Director, Geoffrey DaSilva said it was a good learning experience.
He said Go-Invest chose to integrate the show with the Independence festival held annually in Toronto by Guyanese to secure attendance for the trade show. This approach helped Go-Invest to cut back on advertising costs.
Ronald Bulkan, a director at Precision Woodworking Ltd., explained that it is not always possible to get immediate results, adding that it may have been too late to attract summer sales for their outdoor furniture. Precision Woodworking already has distributors in Canada.
After a business luncheon on Friday, June 18, held at the Travelodge Hotel, where representatives from the two business communities met the serious selling began on Saturday, June 19. However, by the Sunday, June 20 sales slowed during the period that a cricket match at the Community Centre between Canada and Guyana was played.
Bulkhan noted that the trade show was well organised and he commended both Go-Invest and the Guyanese consular office in Canada.
Nanevia Persaud, of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) noted "it was a success, a great turn out" with Saturday sales strong.
The YWCA's preservatives such as green seasonings and achar performed well, their dolls made from artificial flower petals sold out, but their craft products were not as successful. Visitors to the craft booths felt that the items were too expensive.
The prices for some items were lowered towards the end of the show to prevent having to take them home.
It is the association's goal to better package their products while improving quality.
The association will also be following up on contacts made at the trade show.
Persaud noted that although there is always room for improvement Go-Invest must be commended for a well organised show.
Nicholas Young, of Rainforest Pottery Ltd., said he sold all 36 pieces on display.
He also received inquiries from an investor who was interested in building a small factory in Guyana to manufacture the pottery.
A number of persons expressed interest in becoming distributors.
Young said that at the moment it is difficult for him to take large orders since he does not have a factory and is the only worker.
"It is difficult to get persons because of the training...Everything calls for lots and lots of capital. You can export so much and no more."
Young is willing to return to Canada for another trade show but believes that an extra day should be added to allow for more sales.
DaSilva also explained that the craft manufacturers did not do as well because of the strong competition posed by cheap imports from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Philippines and Indonesia to the North American market.
He said that based upon information Go-Invest received from Toronto they were told that craft products would have to be price competitive.
There will be follow up sessions with each company on all the trade shows held including those in Suriname and Antigua last year.
For the next six months, Go-Invest will be conducting workshops on pricing and capacity-building which will include marketing and labelling.
These workshops will be done with the assistance of the United States Association for International Develop-ment (USAID) and with representatives from the local manufacturing and small business sectors.