TEPA Hosts Export Pop-Up Shop
Deeply rooted by our vision to spearhead export development with innovation, efficiency and integrity, in order to create and expand export markets for Saint Lucian goods and services; the Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) was excited to host a 3-day Export Pop-Up Shop last month, at the STEP Caribbean Conference 2016 (CC16).
A premier networking and professional development event, the STEP Caribbean Conference was this year held in Saint Lucia at the Sandals Grande Spa & Beach Resort. The three day event which ran from April 25 to 27, attracted Lawyers and Finance industry professionals from across the Caribbean.
Recognizing the creative opportunity this event presented to not only introduce, but also sell authentic Saint Lucian produced items to the over 150 visiting participants to the island, TEPA immediately accepted the invite from the STEP CC16 organizing committee, to host the Export Pop-Up Shop.
“We looked at it as a different and unique way of exporting; helping and giving local Saint Lucian manufacturers and artisans an innovative way to get visitors to the islands to see and buy their items,” says Portia Williams-Thompson, Marketing Officer at TEPA. “An all-in-one spot!” she adds; “Without having to leave the conference; as really based on the conference schedule there wasn’t much time for participants to go to the different locations. Had it not been for this Pop-Up Shop, they may not have come across these authentic Saint Lucian products.”
The Export Pop-Up Shop included a wide array of Saint Lucian made items from food and treats; to arts, crafts, and ceramics, as well as clothing, bags and jewellery. Certainly, we at TEPA sought to ensure that as many Saint Lucian export products were available and sold.
By all accounts, this TEPA spearheaded Export Pop-Up Shop was a significant success! In fact, TEPA is currently following up on two potential long-term export opportunities as a result of conversations held with various participants at the STEP CC16.
Meanwhile Portia notes that the outpour of gratitude and satisfaction from manufacturers whose items were on display and sold, has been monumental. “They’re actually already looking forward to something like this again,” says Portia.
Suffice it to say, this is but one of the innovative activities which TEPA embarks on year-round in our attempt to create fresh new avenues for Saint Lucian exporters—be it goods or services—to introduce and sell their offerings worldwide. If you are a business owner specializing in an export product or service, and would like to become aligned with TEPA, feel free to contact us via e-mail: info@tepa.org.lc or telephone 1-758-468-2145/2286.
