Following the success of the first Jus’ Caribbean Drinks Pavilion in 2018, an initiative of CaribDirect Multi-Media, the second Jus’ Caribbean Drinks Pavilion was held again at the world renowned IMBIBE Drinks Trade Show, Olympia London, Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd July 2019.
Carl Browne, Trade representative of the Guyana High Commission, London speaking with interested rum enthusiast. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
Jus’ Caribbean, the food and drinks brand of CaribDirect seeks to provide opportunities for export ready Caribbean drinks producers eager to access and compete favourably in the united Kingdom market at the Jus’ Caribbean Drinks Pavilion. This platform provides unique access to Imbibe Live’s unrivalled audience of decision makers with specific responsibility for buying from export ready Caribbean businesses. Buyers from nightclubs, hotels, white tablecloth restaurants, gastropubs, bars, cruise ships, airlines, sports clubs and small independent operators all come down to check out the latest drinks and snacks on offer from around the world. Their main focus is to expand their drinks collection.
Aerial view of IMBIBE Live trade show 2019. Photo courtesy CaribDirect.
This year Guyana was the centre piece at the Jus’ Caribbean Drinks Pavilion with El Dorado Rum featuring prominently alongside XM Rum, Banks DIH and Amy’s Coffee. These Guyanese brands made available by Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST) were exposed to over 10,000 on-trade visitors.
Carl Browne and Rum expert Charles Fraser provide tastings and descriptions to rum lovers. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
Again there were tremendous opportunities to discuss long-term business opportunities with buyers and their representatives many of whom expressed keen interest to locate and purchase wholesale quantities of Guyana’s finest rums with several business cards exchanged.
Charles Fraser points out the finer features of El Dorado Rums. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
The popular raffle of 2018 was again conducted with over 200 hundred entrants over the two day period. The raffle has proven to be extremely effective in driving traffic to the stand and prompting interest to sample rums. Interest was so high that someone was so desperate to taste the rums that they grabbed a bottle of El Dorado rum from the display table and legged it through the crowd.
Marketing Executive Misie Goode registering participant for GOINVEST sponsored raffle. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
It is anticipated that positive results will accrue from the many inquiries and pledges to pursue trade with Guyana from the several visitors to the stand including reps from TESCO, Sainsbury’s and ASDA. Preparations for Jus’ Caribbean Drinks Pavilion 2020 have begun in earnest with a much larger showing and greater variety planned for the UK and European trade, thirsty for new and innovative Caribbean drinks products.
Carl Browne, trade representative of the Guyana High Commission, raffle winner Davide Lloyd and partner, and Misie Goode, CaribDirect Marketing Executive. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
