Global Entrepreneurship Week – Breakfast Event

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The launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Antigua and Barbuda, as celebrated around the world, was marked with an Early Morning Connector Event, held on 17 November 2014, from 8:30am – 10:30am, at the City View Hotel in St. John’s. 
There were twenty-nine (29) persons who attended from the following organisations.

  • GARD Center (3)
  • Scotiabank Antigua (3)
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF) (1)
  • Antigua and Barbuda Coalition of Services Industries (ABCSI) (2)
  • L.C.P Industries (3)
  • Astute Management & Consulting (1)
  • Lighthouse Global Executive Services (LGES) (1)
  • Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) (1)
  • Office of the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) (2)
  • Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) (3)
  • Department of Youth Affairs (1)
  • Nyahbinghi Farms (2)
  • Brenda Carrott (Media Consultant) (1)
  • Observer Media Group (1)
  • Amya’s Design (1)
  • Jah Showers Smoothies (1)
  • Bajez (natural soaps) (1)
  • Keynote Speaker

The Keynote Speaker for this Breakfast event was Mr. Curtis Dennie M.B.A, Marketing Consultant.
Within his presentation, Mr. Dennie stated that the mindset of students are brainwashed into thinking that upon leaving high school, it is expected for them seek employment rather than to venture into creating employment for themselves and others and to be more entrepreneurial.
The Theme for this year’s GEW Breakfast was, “Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship in a Caribbean Context”
 

GARD Center Antigua and Barbuda Kicks Off Global Entrepreneurship Week

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The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) – Antigua and Barbuda hosted a Breakfast on 17 November 2014 to kick-start Global Entrepreneurship Week.  This is a part of the Scotiabank funded Bridging the Gap project, and was held in collaboration with regional partner CoESL.  The GARD Center launched GEW 2014, joining hundreds of countries globally who are taking part in the November 17-23 activities.  The launch was held at the City View Hotel, Antigua. It was moderated by Mr. Johan Oliver, Business Development Officer at the GARD Center.  Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of GARD Center, read remarks from Mrs. Marcia Brandon, of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL), which is based in Barbados.
The Bridging the Gap (BtG) project aims to celebrate entrepreneurs and promote entrepreneurship. It serves as a way to create ties between Private Sector and Civil Society, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, as well as to connect regional entrepreneurial development entities in an economic sustainable development triangle. The BtG project has three (3) main activities. These are the regional launch; early morning regional connector events which will be held during GEW, on different days, under separate themes by each country participating in the project; as well as a series of regional business mentoring sessions. These business mentorship sessions are intended to facilitate a generational transfer of knowledge which will assist and guide young and mature entrepreneurs on how to prepare to launch a business and how to grow their businesses.

2014 Annual Caribbean Sustainable Livelihoods Through Entrepreneurship Conference

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IMG_1052The Caribbean Center of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL) and regional partner the GARD Center, recently concluded the 2014 Annual Caribbean Sustainable Livelihoods Through Entrepreneurship Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, from 27 – 29 October.  The theme for this 7th annual conference was “Getting Regionalism Right – A Strategy for Sustainable Development.”

IMG_1711The Opening Ceremony and the Conference were held at the GARD Center, Mercers Creek.  The keynote speaker was the Hon. Samantha Marshall, Minister of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development.  After the Ceremony, the Minister officially launched Caribbean Entrepreneurship Week (CEW) and declared the Trade Show open.

IMG_1111Over 40 persons from eight countries registered for this intensive three day conference which covered subject matter to include presentation on ‘Creating the Region’s Entrepreneurial People; Strengthening the Eco-System’ by Mr. Ashley John.

A Think Tank / Knowledge Sharing Session was held whereby four groups were formed and participants were divided amongst the area of their interest.  Topics discussed were: 1) Business Mentoring and Coaching for Entrepreneurs 2) Agriculture, Climate Change and Green Techniques 3) Volunteerism, Internships, Apprenticeship and Shadowing Programmes and 4) Entrepreneurship.  Each group was chaired by an expert in the respect fields.

The gathering was addressed by a local entrepreneur, Mr. Yves Ephraim, CEO, Pegasus Technologies Inc. who spoke about ethics in business.

Discussions included,  ‘Accelerating Regionalism Through Entrepreneurship.  What More Needs to Be done?  The Male panel was moderated by Mr. Ashley John, while the Female panel was moderated by Ms. Akosua Edwards.

A regional panel on ‘The Current Status of Efforts to Develop Regional Entrepreneurs. Helping People to Create Livelihoods for themselves.’ Panelist included: Robertine Chaderton, Caribbean Consulting Group, St. Kitts & Nevis; Stephane Burke, CIBC/First Caribbean International Bank; Keisha Sandy, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and Pamella Thomas, Team Fresh / Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN). This panel was chaired by Marcia Brandon, CoESL.

CANARI Launched its How to Guides, while the CoESL launched its 2013 Conference Publication & 2013 Research Publication.  In addition, a personalized  Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Presentation was made by Mr. Jonathan Ortman, President, via video and the Launch of GEW Caribbean was announced by a drum roll and celebratory dance.  All participants were encouraged to message at least five (5) persons to announce this launch.

Field Research sites were organised for day 3, with participants divided into three groups.  Much discussion took place during the presentation of the Group Research Presentations.

IMG_1019The conclusion overview of the three (3) day conference was given by Roberta Williams, GARD Center.

IMG_1727IMG_1714An Award ceremony for the outstanding Trade Show exhibits and those with outstanding Entrepreneurial skills were rewarded on Wednesday afternoon.  Awards were given for the Best Product; Most Informative Exhibit; Most Innovative; Most Entrepreneurial – Male and Female; as well as for Environmental Awareness; Best Quality; Best Agripreneur – Male and Female; Most Committed and Best Potential.

The CoESL and the GARD Center sincerely wish to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants of this event, who truly made it a resounding success.