The Business Bureau's annual Belizean Producers Convention and Exhibition opens tonight at the Princess Hotel. The BELPRO-CONEX, as it is called, will run for two days and you'll be able to take advantage of specials on everything from cell phones to toilet paper. But more than just a cheap sale, the BELPRO-CONEZX will showcase goods made and sold in Belize. That includes the big and the small, from BTL to Shahannas' Creations. The event will be opened to the public tomorrow but we got a sneak preview today.
Keith Swift Reporting,
It is the best of the goods produced and sold in Belize: furniture, toilet paper, beer, oil, beer, and then are these: created by Kimberly Griffith at her home in Corozal.
Kimberly Griffith, Shahannas' Creations
"I make handmade clothes, bags, caps. Whatever you think about, I could make it. These are crocheted out of nylon and cotton, 100% cotton. Like this bathing suit, it is like linked up, it is a combination of both of them together and they join together to make one. See I have this skirt and blouse."
Keith Swift,
Is this a fulltime job for you?
Kimberly Griffith,
"For me yes because I enjoy it."
In the booth next to Griffith we found Lea's Furniture. It is a family run business, which operates out of San Ignacio. This is their fifth year at the
expo. Luis Cambranes says Lea's started out with basic furniture but they have expanded.
Luis Cambranes, Lea's Furniture
"The company has been around for the last twenty years. The last ten years we have been trying to market and push the company forward. We offer furniture for the entire home and office, or even patio. We use certified timber coming from a sustainable forest and we do a lot of custom work; doors, cabinets, and interior work as well. So we are not only furniture, but we do customized pieces as well."
And from furniture to art. The Chien family from Belize City are displaying these intricate Chinese creations. Steven Chien says making art is a family affair in their household.
Steven Chien,
"We do like jewelry. As you see it is crystal and we make also hand craft like decorations for the house or on your purse or in your car. Sometimes we do flowers for Valentine's. These are all handmade by my father and my mother and me myself and my sister. My father just enjoys making things to spend time. So most of the things you see here is made by my father."
And since the expo is focusing on goods produced in Belize, there is nothing more Belizean than Belikin Beer. Belikin started back in 1970 and is today Belize's only locally produced beer. Carlos Turcios is the Assistant Brewmaster at Belize Brewing Company.
Carlos Turcios, Assistant Brew Master
"This is the only local Belizean beer. We have been participating since the show has been taken place since we are local producers. It has been produced here. Only the raw materials are being imported and it is being produced locally.
Every hour, starting from 11 tomorrow we will having a beer drinking contest. Who can drink 3.5 bottles of beer the fastest will be the winner and that winner will win a case of premium and we will be doing that every hour starting from 11 tomorrow."
And while Belikin will be having fun, these small producers and exporters say they will be working because the BELPRO-CONEX is their best chance to make a great first impression on potential customers.
Kimberly Griffith,
"Well I chose to participate because I get a lot of exposure last year when I came and a lot of people saw my work and they were amazed that you could make so many things with crochet and it is all handmade."
Steven Chien,
"It is a really good chance to reach out to the people."
Luis Cambranes,
"We have been the BELPRO for probably the last five years and it has become vital to the running of our business because when we come to a show like this we meet new people, people we don't know. We are all the way in San Ignacio and we don't have a showroom here in Belize City so for us coming to a show like this to promote our business and make sales as we have done in the past."
And while that is the past - this weekend the future will be on display.
6,000 visitors attended last year's show. The exhibition runs from 9 am to 6 pm both Saturday and Sunday. You can find more about Lea's Furniture at http://www.leasfurniturebelize.bz. For Shahannas' Creations you can email Kimberly Griffith at Shahannas2004@yahoo.com.
