The Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA), in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), invites the public on an empowering journey at the third annual ‘Women in Business Expo’.
The highly-anticipated event is scheduled for March 10-11, 2018 at the Pegasus Hotel to mark International World’s Women Day.
The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1908 when a group of 15,000 women marched on the streets of New York, demanding their rights. Since then, every year on March 8, the world joins hands together to support, raise, inspire and motivate women across all fields of work. The purpose of this day is to focus on various themes such as innovation, business the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities.
Over the years the expo attracted farmers, environmentalists, up-cyclers and recycling crafters, event planners, artists, immigration consultants, barristers, fashion designers, wood crafters, body and hair care consultants and others.
Last year’s Women in Business Expo, there was a large contingent of indigenous women who came all the way from various hinterland regions, and it is hoped this year is no different.
“We want to construct a different world of work for women. As they grow up, girls must be exposed to a broad range of careers, and encouraged to make choices that lead beyond the traditional service and care options to jobs in industry, art, public service, modern agriculture and science,” UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
SNFCA and WASD have been executing philanthropic projects over the years that contributed significantly to adding value to people and assist in building strong, confident, intelligent and empowered women who are committed to the task of building a progressive society.
Some of the pre-events are health, business and technology forums, networking events such as ‘Charting Your Course’ (networking event), ‘Inspire You’ (motivation event), ‘An Evening with Sherry Dixon’, tea parties and fashion shows, and book signing. Apart from motivational events, workshops, exhibitions and networking events, an ‘Expo Booklet’ will be distributed for free to the public at the event. It will feature exhibitors and partners.
The expo has had numerous success stories over the years where small businesses benefited tremendously through their participation in the event. One such entity is local craft/fashion company, Rave Designs – Deborah Mathias.
“Other than the wonderful interaction with some very strong and amazingly focused women, being at the expo has encouraged me to renew my commitment to my business and at a personal level I came to understand that I am a very important part of my brand,” Deborah Mathias expressed.
Entrance to the expo is free and daily entertainment and giveaways for patrons are promised.
The expo’s theme last year was, “Be Bold For Change”; this year’s is: “Press For Progress”.
Registration for exhibition spaces closes at the end of January.
For more information on the expo, visit Women’s Association for Sustainable Development on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
