The Jamaica Business Development Corporation has partnered with key private and public sector experts aimed at delivering an impactful learning experience for its 10th Annual Small Business Expo and Conference.

The event, which was staged at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday under the theme: Think Big. Scale Up. Go Global; saw 31 companies benefiting from at least three business development sessions.According to JBDC Chief Executive Officer Valerie Veira, the Expo has improved to more than 55 per cent participation rate this year. The Scale Up and Go Global segments ran concurrently throughout the day and each consisted of five 45-minute workshops.“We recognise the significance of the entrepreneurial mindset in the success of businesses and so this one-hour segment is designed to instil positive thinking minds of entrepreneurs which will in turn influence their operations,” Corporate Communications Manager of JBDC Suzette Campbell said.Scale Up is designed to help entrepreneurs understand their businesses well enough to know when it is the right time to scale, as well as identify growth strategies including appropriate financing for their stage of business, knowing how and when to innovate, how to harness and use data for growth and marketing.The Go Global segment encourages entrepreneurs to seek growth beyond Jamaica’s borders. This takes into account critical areas such as brand building, negotiation, trading, knowledge of the global market exposure to niche markets like Latin America.Campbell noted that expert presenters for both Scale Up and Go Global have been recruited from the Embassy of Mexico, the Jamaica Exporters Association, the Trade Board, Prism Communications, the University of the West Indies, e-Media Interactive, Development Bank of Jamaica, Jamaica Stock Exchange, First Angels Jamaica, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, as well as independents.The event also included a special business hour segment which featured presentations from three Expo 2017 partners including title sponsor National Commercial Bank, Yello Jamaica and DGS Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors.“This segment takes place mid-way Scale Up and Go Global and will equip entrepreneurs with information on how the roles these entities play in the entrepreneurial journey,” she said.