THE tourism and entertainment ministry’s Tourism Linkages Hub is to stage its annual speed networking on March 17, aimed at strengthening the linkages between local suppliers and players in the tourism sector.

The event is to be held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St James.

Staging of the event represents the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve linkages and increase business opportunities for local suppliers of goods and services in manufacturing, agriculture, and other sectors of the economy with buyers in the tourism sector.

Project manager of the Tourism Linkages Hub, Carolyn McDonald Riley, said the event has been successful at connecting major players.

“From the event held last year in Montego Bay and Kingston, there has been an increase in business opportunities for local suppliers from the agricultural and manufacturing sectors to the tourism sector with the provision of a range of products,” McDonald Riley said.

She indicated that a significant highlight of that staging was the supply of bedding products by two local manufacturers to a recently opened resort property.

McDonald Riley anticipates that for the March staging there will be a significant increase in the number of participants.

“The inaugural event received an overwhelming response. This year’s event will include representatives from the wider services sectors, such as entertainment and construction,” she informed.

A registration deadline for the event has been extended to March 4.