Artisans from the Caribbean region are invited to exhibit their products at the region’s foremost trade show, Design Caribbean, which offers unique access to important regional, international and diaspora buyers.
Inspired by the passion and talent of both distinguished and aspiring artists, Design Caribbean will bring the region’s finest handmade designs and innovative products onto the world stage.
Showcasing a broad product range of handmade quality products, it will connect artists to buyers, and design enthusiasts from the Caribbean region, North America and Europe. Design Caribbean visitors will come away with a true sense of the diversity and splendor that breathes vibrancy into the Caribbean region.
Design Caribbean will attract buyers from North America, Europe and the Caribbean region. This year promises to be a notable event that no artisan should miss. If you want your products to reach a global marketplace, please register your interest immediately as places are limited.
Background: Design Caribbean is a rebranded evolution of the Caribbean Gift and Craft show (CGCS) aimed at taking the promotion of the creative industries including design in the region to new levels of excellence.
In September 2011, the inaugural “Design Caribbean” showcase provided a platform for only the best Caribbean artisans and designers to showcase, market and sell their products. In turn, it also served as aspirational for those artisans who were not quite export-ready.
Building on the platform laid in 2011, the second staging will focus on further strengthening the “Design Caribbean” brand, attracting investment and exploring potential markets (and distributors) for Caribbean Creative Products and Services.
Key elements in this staging of Design Caribbean 2013 will include an exhibition, capacity building training, business to business meetings and showcases of music, fashion and film.
Exhibition: The exhibition will include products selected from across the region that meet specific criteria set out by the Agency and deemed necessary to exploit the export opportunities. There will be two categories of suppliers, the first are those firms with an adequate structure in place to capitalise on the market opportunities and the second are those with the design and product that have potential but may not have the appropriate structure.
Capacity Building Training: Workshops will be held in the months leading up to Design Caribbean, with two being held during the actual event, along with a Business Breakfast for Buyers.
Business to Business Meetings: Caribbean Export will be responsible for buyer identification and recruitment. A catalogue of all the firms and their products will be sent to all potential investors/buyers so that the B2Bs can be more focused. Investors/buyers coming to the exhibition will be provided with a catalogue containing supplier profiles and product descriptions.
Showcases: Each day will culminate with a special showcase highlighting the areas of Music, Film, and Fashion.
Call for Artisans: All artisans engaged in design in the Caribbean region are eligible to participate in the Design Caribbean trade show. We are seeking products from diverse creative specialties including but not limited to the following criteria:
- Products included in Design Caribbean must fall into one or more of the categories listed below:
-furniture
-home accessories
-jewellery
-aromatherapy and spa products
-handicraft and gifts - Companies must have export ready products.
- Products must demonstrate viability in the market place.
- Companies must be registered in the region and products must be made in the Caribbean (proof of product origin may be required).
- Exhibitors invited to showcase products in the Diaspora section do not need to meet this criteria.
- Creativity in combining traditional skill and innovation in the use of materials and technology as well as high standards of design must be evident.
- Workmanship should be of high quality and consistency.
- Preference will be granted to handcrafted items.
- Preference will be given to products that show a consciousness of sustainable living and environmental preservation.
Design Awards: Artisans will receive a free booth at the next Design Caribbean event and the marketing support to assist to elevate and grow their business over the next year.
What to Send: Please complete the Design Caribbean Company Assessment Form and send with images or brochures of products. Images must be sent in digital format by email or a CD/DVD disc can be posted.
Where to Send: All required documentation must be submitted to Caribbean Export Development Agency no later than 4:30pm (AST) on February 28, 2013 and should be addressed to:
Cora Lowe – Advisor, Special Projects
c/o Caribbean Export Development Agency
1st Floor Baobab Tower
Warrens
ST MICHAEL BB22026
BARBADOS
Submissions can also be emailed to [email protected] and copied to Suzette Hudson at [email protected]
Interested participants are also required to submit the following:
- A copy of the company’s representative passport bio-data page; and
- Photos of products and the person representing the Company (jpeg format)
Selection Process: All applicants will be reviewed by a selection panel. The selection panel comprises members Caribbean Export staff and International Design and Trade Fair Consultants.
Fees: Successful applicants will be required to pay the entry fee of US $500 per booth. Flight and accommodation (incl breakfast) will be covered for 1 person per application.
The management of Design Caribbean reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of all products exhibited, and reserves the right at any time to prohibit display or advertisement of products, which do not meet Design Caribbean’s objectives.
Design Caribbean is organized by Caribbean Export, a trade and promotion organization with 15 member regions, whose mandate is to “take Caribbean excellence to the world.”
