The Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), in conjunction with ORCO Bank, Global Resourcing, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (COCI), The University of St Martin (USM) and 360° of Innovation have launched a new innovation and networking event called SMILE set for November 2nd and 3rd.
Apart from a positive name alluding to a brighter future for country Sint Maarten, SMILE stands for Sint Maarten Innovation, Initiatives & Industries Linkup Event. The event serves as a platform for innovations, business updates and networking as well as to receive more clarity on how Sint Maarten companies can take part in upcoming World Bank tenders. The University of St Martin will host the event allowing for simultaneous presentations and discussions as part of the tradeshow.
SHTA, COCI, ORCO Bank and 360° of Innovation all contributed to the successful “Build Back Better Week” event last March. Build Back Better Week focused on developing concepts for a better Sint Maarten post-Irma—as an opportunity to make significant changes to our country. Its successor SMILE will focus on the practical side of innovation and offer networking opportunities for individuals, companies and NGOs.
In addition to re-engaging business ties between domestic companies and NGO’s, the event provides workshops on applying for World Bank tenders for local as well as specialized foreign companies. As well as forging Joint Venture strategies. It is expected that topics like dealing with the landfill, development of social housing, works on utility networks and large scale infrastructure projects might lead to World Bank tenders for specialized expertise not provided on island. SMILE will serve as a platform to provide “linkage” instead of “leakage” by keeping as much of the recovery funds on island as possible.
The event has many speakers, workshops and presentations lined up, which will be communicated over the upcoming months. As of this week, interested companies both domestic and foreign can take up contact with the SMILE project office at info@shta.com or call 5420108. More information can be found at SHTA.COM/SMILE.