A scene from Build Back Better Week.
~ SMILE tradeshow to set stage for innovation, inclusion, growth ~
Can I lower my business’ tax burden somehow, and is it eligible for micro financing? What are the rules of the game regarding tender procedures? How can I participate in World Bank projects? What useful platforms and resources might my organisation be missing out on? How can innovations like blockchain and artificial intelligence work for my company?
These are just some of the topics to be delved into at the upcoming Sint Maarten Innovation, Initiatives & Industries Linkup Event (SMILE) set for November 2 and 3.
The unique tradeshow, spearheaded by Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), is aimed at forward-thinking and/or aspiring entrepreneurs, managers and key decision-makers looking to grow and build their organisations back better after the destructive hurricane season of 2017. Organisations from our neighbouring islands are also encouraged to attend.
“Doing things differently” is the resounding theme of the event. While we’ve all heard or said this before, SMILE focuses on how this can realistically be done in various organisations, no matter the size or sector.
SMILE will do this by focusing on practical and up-to-date information, minimising financial or technological barriers, the navigation of tenders and legalities, access to essential resources and helplines, interactive workshops, and concrete examples of successful regional business practices. Some 17 workshops and presentations will be offered.
Some of the tourism industry’s biggest players – Port St. Maarten, Maho Group, and St. Maarten Heineken Regatta – will share developments, plans and what these mean for the economy. A number of platforms and businesses will also be launched at the event, focused on sustainability and innovation, central concepts to building back better. SMILE will undoubtedly offer invaluable networking and cooperation opportunities.
The tradeshow is a logical successor of the Build Back Better Week event held in March, which focused on developing concepts for a better and more resilient Sint Maarten, post-Irma. Build Back Better Week’s winning innovation contest team GreenBox, a recycling movement and rewards programme, will also be presenting its business update.
At least four other workshops and presentations will offer insight into such environmental sustainability efforts:
- Hydroponic farming in Aruba, by Happyponics which provides lettuce to hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.
- How to save money with sustainable operations, by Certified Energy Manager Andre Escalante.
- Diversifying our tourism product with the environment in mind, by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).
- The launch of Waste2Work, a non-profit organisation that will enable entrepreneurs to turn waste materials into new products.
Free World Bank session
Find out what is happening with the World Bank trust fund, and gain clarity on how St. Maarten companies and specialised foreign companies can take part in upcoming World Bank tenders. The event is a platform for joint venture strategies.
As stated by the SHTA: “It is expected that topics like dealing with the landfill, development of social housing, works on utility networks and large scale infrastructure projects might lead to World Bank tenders for specialised expertise not provided on island. SMILE will serve as a platform to provide ‘linkage’ instead of ‘leakage’ by keeping as much of the recovery funds on island as possible.”
A digital catalogue containing information about all event participants will be shared out, and will serve to connect local businesses and NGOs and specialised foreign businesses: the National Business Card.
In the spirit of making this particular opportunity available to everyone and making sure that all companies are well informed, there will be a second World Bank masterclass free of charge on November 3 starting at 6:00pm after the main event.
SMILE will be hosted at University of St. Martin (USM). Tickets are US $75, with SHTA members receiving a discount. USM students and select NGO teams may attend the event for free.
The tradeshow is made possible by SHTA in conjunction with St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI), ORCO Bank, Global Resourcing, USM and 360° of Innovation. For more information including the schedule of events, visit shta.com/smile or facebook.com/ smilesintmaarten, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1 (721) 542-0108.
