This year, I decided to take in some of what our local manufacturers had to offer at what I fondly remember as the Barbados Manufacturers’ Exhibition (BMEX). Originally launched in 1982 by the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) to showcase locally made products, BMEX ran for nearly four decades as the island’s premier trade show. In October 2023, it was rebranded as the Trade and Innovation Expo (TIE)—a timely shift that acknowledges how technology and global access now define modern commerce. Naturally, I was excited to see what this new direction had to offer.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear that innovation was not just a theme—it was the foundation. One of the first things that caught my attention was TicketNation.bb, a homegrown digital platform that made getting into the event quick and seamless with QR code ticketing, mobile responsiveness, and CRM-enabled analytics. A small touch, but one that immediately set the tone for a more tech-forward experience.
Even more surprising was the showcase of an electric vehicle powered by sargassum seaweed—yes, seaweed! It was the kind of innovation that stops you in your tracks. Turning an ecological nuisance into a clean energy solution isn’t just smart—it’s visionary. It demonstrated the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that Barbados needs as we move towards a more sustainable, innovation-driven future.
Beyond the usual crowd-pleasers like Carmeta’s food sampling stall, two dominant themes clearly emerged for 2025: health and wellness, and specialty foods.
In the wellness category, Orena Health impressed with its Smart Device, which delivers automated tests for blood pressure, BMI, blood oxygen, and more in under 10 minutes. The results are printed and uploaded to a secure online dashboard, making it easy to track your health over time. It’s an empowering approach to wellness that blends clinical accuracy with everyday accessibility.
Also noteworthy was Azure Gourmet Skin Care, a locally based brand that fuses Caribbean botanicals with gourmet-inspired skincare. Their products are handcrafted in small batches, chemical-free, and focused on hydration and nourishment. A quick chat with co-founder Natalie Burnett made it clear this wasn’t just about good skin—it was about smart business. I admired their use of Bajan cherry as a featured ingredient and was equally impressed with the modern, QR code-enabled website built by her husband. Together, they’ve crafted a brand that is both rooted and ready to scale.
When it comes to specialty foods, two small businesses stood out to me for very different reasons.
First, Gully Boar Pepper Sauce. With bold names like Tangy Mango Hot Pepper Sauce, their branding screamed Caribbean authenticity. I couldn’t resist chatting with the owner and offering a few suggestions—adding a website, including a Scoville rating on each label, and ensuring consistent packaging across the line. These may seem like small things, but they’re the kinds of enhancements that can take a good product and give it a fighting chance on the regional or international stage.
The second was Bake Lab, which brought a playful twist to the expo by offering traditional Bajan bakes with chocolate. Two things that, frankly, shouldn’t work together—but did. Their branding was polished, their product well-executed, and they were keen to receive feedback. That’s one of the underrated benefits of an expo like this: real-time interaction and customer insights that can immediately influence product strategy.
Where the expo can grow
While there was plenty to admire at this year’s TIE, I left with a few observations I hope the organisers will take into 2026—speaking here as a businessperson with 30 years’ experience.
Give exhibitors a true buyers’ day.
The expo ran over a public weekend, and several vendors mentioned the lack of a dedicated buyer’s day. A Friday event, aligned with a school’s long weekend, could be reserved for B2B engagement, targeting organisations like the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association. Boutique hotels, for instance, may want to co-brand a pepper sauce for their in-house kitchens. That kind of targeted networking could be transformative for small producers.
Raise the bar for digital strategy.
Many exhibitors are still relying on social media alone. That’s not digital transformation. Every product should have a QR code that links to a website with e-commerce capability, brand storytelling, and distributor-friendly information. Export Barbados must play a bigger role in helping producers build this digital capacity. Take inspiration from the NYC Hot Sauce Expo, which features over 50 vendors from North America and isn’t just a tasting event—it’s a gateway to the global market.
Launch the BMA Pepper Sauce Awards.
Given the buzz around pepper sauces, now is the perfect time to introduce a BMA Pepper Sauce Awards—either as part of TIE or as its own stand-alone showcase. Pepper sauce isn’t just a condiment in the Caribbean—it’s a statement of culture and creativity. Producers are already experimenting with bold ingredients like mango, tamarind, Bajan cherry, and scotch bonnet. These creators need a platform that goes beyond shelf space.
The awards could highlight excellence in Flavour Innovation, Heat Level, Packaging & Branding, and People’s Choice. Better still, by integrating digital tools—like e-commerce support, QR code-enabled traceability, and online voting—the awards could expand visibility and credibility while creating buzz. This wouldn’t just celebrate excellence; it would accelerate it.
Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government’s Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). Steven can be reached at Mobile: 246-233- 0090; Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb
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