Made in Manchester expo to showcase businesses

It was a teary-eyed Allison Turner-Lewis who testified about the benefits of participating in the Made In Manchester (MIM) Expo, which started four years ago. Her tears were out of gratitude, appreciation and an increasing loyalty to a brand that is slowly but surely gaining ground in Manchester.

"I am now in England, in the first of a three-year course in metalsmithing, but I had to come home for the launch, and I will also be back to participate in this year's expo," Turner-Lewis told CENTRAL STAR.

She said she became emotional because of the push she had received from Annette Salmon, CEO of Twenty20 Strategies, and conceptualiser of MIM Expo and Women's Summit.

Both events will take place on March 8 and 9, respectively.

"Annette has pushed me at times when I want to give up on Jamaica by reminding me that the success that I have had so far has come from Jamaica," said Turner-Lewis.

Seh Mi Precious

Her line of earthy jewellery is now gaining ground in the United States and United Kingdom. The product line is called Seh Mi Precious, which means, Say I am Precious.

Salmon said she is looking forward to having as many as 70 booth holders at this year's event.

"I urge persons to grab their space early because in year one we had 33 booths; that grew to 45 in year two, 59 in year three and to date 45 have been taken. Each booth cost ranges from $6,500 for a table to $13,000 for an eight by six foot space and $16,500 for a 10x10 tent. The rule is that whereas the products do not have to be manufactured in the parish, the business holders/companies must be from Manchester," Salmon said.

"We hope that the Mandeville Hotel will be our home until there is no more room for the expo here," Salmon said in thanking the host sponsor.

This year, for the second time, they will have a start-up village of 12 businesses that are between six months and two years old.

As in past years, the businesses will include marketing, social media/IT, beauty products, home decor, foods and confectionery, shipping, craft and art, building, fashion/jewellery design, wines and liqueurs and surveying, and more.

This year's Women's Summit will be themed 'Embrace Your Gifts and Shine' and will feature a raft of accomplished and outstanding women, among them: Dr Marcia Forbes, Kerry-Ann Clarke, Fae Ellington, Janice Sutherland, and Karla Ledgister Bingham.