The annual Expo Marketplace returns to its original home
The annual Expo Marketplace has returned to its original home. Thousands trekked through the gates of the new ITVET compound on Freetown Road looking for deals. The new venue attracted a larger number of Belizeans on Saturday and Sunday. There were special treats for consumers and for businesses it was a time to boost sales. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
Shopping around; that’s exactly what people do at the annual expo marketplace. They brave the heat—and sometimes rain—to find deals on everything from food and drinks to clothes and electronics. As for the businesses, they bring out their best deals and this year they didn’t disappoint.
Ian Courtenay, Public Relations Officer, Smart
ian courtenay
“We’re doing our trade-in or upgrade where either smart customers or Digicell customers can trade in their phones and whatever price they pay for the phone they get the same amount of credit. So basically they’re getting the phone practically free.”
trudy joseph
Trudy Joseph, Brand Manager, Grace Kennedy Belize
“We’re offering excellent prices on our products. We’re not just trying to clear our stock out of the warehouse; we’re trying to bring out products that we know people are looking for. Like our coconut powder is out here for eight dollars and fifty cents and we know that’s an excellent price. We brought out the evaporated milk; we have the new habanero pepper sauce which is selling for two dollars and fifty cents.”
Keith Flowers, One Barrel Bar Manager/Promoter, Travellers Liquors
keith flowers
“What we have out here today is a variety of our products. We have one of the hottest products on the market right now, which is the classic gold and it’s going pretty fast.”
A total of one hundred and forty-four booths were sold out between ninety-nine businesses. Those included the usual prospects as well as newcomers, including Chef Denfield Christian, who made his expo debut and was a big hit.
chef denfield christian
Chef Denfield Christian
“Today we’re serving shrimp kabob, sausage on a stick, barbecue pork chops, jerk chicken. We’re also doing a seven bone steak along with some rice and beans and salad.”
Vanessa Peyrefitte, Marketing/Public Relations Manager, BCCI
“We do have some new businesses this year. For example, we have Pandora’s Window Box Nursery. Last year we didn’t have any booth that was selling plants, this year we do. One of the new things that we have this year is the Belize Bank Business Lounge, which was created to facilitate networking.”
But, new or old, what are the businesses without the consumers? We caught up with some satisfied customers who took advantage of the shopping opportunity.
Nordette Johnson, Expo Marketplace Patron
nordette johnson
“Everything yoh get half price nearly yoh could she compared to if yoh buy it dah shop. Ih good, everything good out yah.”
leah quiros
Leah Quiros, Expo Marketplace Patron
“Everything di go good. Lot ah deals deh bout right now so.”
Delahnie Bain
“Weh kinda deals you find out yah?”
Leah Quiros
“Like pan phones, dah Smart and Digicell, lot ah deals right now so dah time fi everybody come out and come shop.”
Joan Castillo, Expo Marketplace Patron
joan castillo
“Well, pretty good, got some good deals.”
Delahnie Bain
“What are some of the interesting deals you found?”
Joan Castillo
“Mostly grocery items by Grace, Brodies.”
Surely, you’ve noticed the change of scene. Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager told us why they made the move.
vanessa peyrefitte
Vanessa Peyrefitte
“Last year, we did poll a sample of our participants and one of the comments that came out of that exercise was could you guys consider a different location? Well prior to that, there was not another space that could be the home for the Expo apart from the S.J.C. gym and compound. Thank goodness, there was the renovation of the ITVET facility and as you can see it’s beautiful.”
Both business and shoppers agree that while there were a few minor glitches, the new home of the Expo Marketplace is a breath of fresh air.
Trudy Joseph
“I feel a little bit more breeze; I think I’m seeing more people, honestly. People are happy with it. I think people are complaining more about no parking nearby but actually it’s closer from where they come. So I think it’s working out great for us and most of our customers likewise.”
Ian Courtenay
“The facilities here are pretty good and the setup, Chamber has done a really good job setting up the tents and so on. I think this morning they had a bit of an issue with congestion at the gate because of the new security measures but seem to have worked that out and that’s moving pretty good now too.”
Joan Castillo
“Well, no mud, it’s much easier to move around and to find the stuff so I guess that’s good.”
Leah Quiros
“Ih much better, much better. Bigger space, ih just feel safer and all.”
Vanessa Peyrefitte
“The chamber continues to invest in heavy security. This year we have police, we have B.D.F., and we also have maritime security with video cameras and different things like that. But it just takes a load off when you think about it; it’s a secure area because it’s fenced all around.”
Another plus for the new location is that construction and electrification of the booths were done by ITVET students. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
