No other way but up

FOLLOWING two days of exhibitions, seminars, sales, networking and entertainment, hundreds of visitors and buyers left the second Living in Colour Lifestyle Show on Sunday October 29, 2000.

Generally the consensus revealed the show provided a unique opportunity for Black businesses to showcase their products and services to the Black community.

Marred, in part, by near torrential rains and heavy winds the show was delayed by two hours on the first day, a situation that incensed many booth holders who felt, in addition, that the value of their return on investment was eroded by a lack of sufficient communication between them and the organisers.

Comprised of some seventy odd exhibitors, thirteen contributors and several sponsors including Western Union, Supermalt, Motorola, New Nation, New Deal and Microsoft the show boasted an interesting array of exhibits supported by an 'air tight' security network. It became evident that Black people in the United Kingdom are involved in a multiplicity of commercial endeavours ranging from the production of condiments and spices to the procurement of exotic African fabric to trading in fine art and exquisite paintings.

Lauded by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Living in Colour brought participants from all over the UK attracting also elements of the disciplined services such as The Royal Navy, The Territorial Army, London Fire Brigade, City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police as well as a representative from the essential services, Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust.

Though all the exhibitors welcomed the opportunity to collectively present their products or services to a specialised market in this way many expressed the view that more time should have been invested in the planning stages evident in the first Living in Colour Show last year.

The view also emerged that the high cost of the booths did not sit favourably with the cost to enter the show, which was equally prohibitive. High volume attendance should have been the focus rather than realising a profit at the gates as the show was ultimately for the benefit of the booth holders, not the organisers.

Many enjoyed the entertainment line-up that featured comedian Curtis Walker who drove home the point that Blacks in Britain though individually 'Broke' are collectively wealthy and need to support Black businesses in order to facilitate the economic growth of the race.

Others were pleasantly alarmed at the wide variety of African and Caribbean foods that are available in Britain for daily consumption, for example the Trini (Trinidadian) stand which exuded an unmistakable Caribbean aroma of curry and goat meat that attracted queues on both days.

The disciplined services were particularly elated by the opportunity to effectively address their diversity issues by strategically targeting Black recruits at all levels into worthwhile careers while providing extensive and relevant training and travel opportunities.

The vast majority of both exhibitors and visitors were convinced that the concept of a trade show promoting Black business is nothing but brilliant and necessary given the current economic circumstances of Black Britons. They believe the ambition of the organisers to stimulate 'financial stability and wealth within the Black community in an atmosphere of information, knowledge and understanding' is by no means far fetched and illusory but attainable.

Also the general feeling is that with proper planning and organisation, succeeding shows will only improve from strength to strength thus securing the financial future of a long economically and financially destitute people.

Source: Black Britain

Dated: 31/10/2000