Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
The Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) launched the Young Entrepreneurs' Association of Jamaica (YEA), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston on January 25. Present are, (from left): Ariosto Manrique Moreno, president of National Comission for Young Entrepreneurs in Mexico, Roy Thomasson, chief executive officer of Young Americas Business Trust, Washington and Leonora Rueda, Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
ONE OF the inescapable facts of the new political, social and business landscape is that more and more young people are not only coming into their own, they are making themselves heard, their presence felt, and their money work for them.
To be sure theirs has been a
kind of disparate group, with no central guiding hand or force and consequently lacking the capital that an organised body or grouping representing this new power-block would posses.
Now mind you, this is not your traditional "young entrepreneurs", you know as scions of the gods and, or demi-gods of commerce, industry, the plantocracy and or tourism, inheriting the mantle of their forebears and thus starting out with a gilt-edged advantage in their respective fields. These, for the most part, are the young turks, whose creativity and energy
represent the new breed of entrepreneurs. Enter The Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) of Jamaica, and under the patronage of the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) and the Washington based Young Americas Business Trust, with a mandate to lead the development of successful new businesses through the delivery of practical solutions.
DINNER AND GALA
Well me-daahlings, YEA hosted a swanky but modest $5,000.00 a plate dinner and gala, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, hear that it was quite a stellar affair!
Described by one highly-placed high-profile business executive as an "aah-mazing" affair, upon arrival, guests were warmly
greeted by members of the JEF and YEA executives, before being ushered into the cocktail area, where libations flowed.
To the surprise of many, the official programme got under way bang on time, and by the time dinner was served, most of the speeches were already done and over with, with guest speaker Prime Minister Patterson's insightful speech, highlighting the importance and necessity of unleashing the creative entrepreneurial spirit, to fuel the engine of growth of the economy.
After the introduction by Treasurer of the YEA, the charming Gaudia Chevannes-Aquart, there were two cinema-sized screens that carried what the organisers considered the highlights of the Prime Minister's career. This was his first outing since announcing the timetable for his departure from the PNP.
Technology was once again deployed in service to the event, as during dinner, a faultless fare was put on by Nancy McLean and her Food and Beverage staff of the Pegasus. The light, colour and music added to the warmth and beauty of the occasion but took nothing away form the monumentous nature of the occasion in keeping with the vision outlined by President Andrew Pairman in his delivery.
SPEECH
And then there was the speech by 28-year-old Mexican businessman and president of the Mexican National Commission of Young Entrepreneurs, Ariosto Manrique Moreno, whose spirited speech was also packed with humour and inspiration. Now if the speech by the young Mexican mogul was not enough to stir the emotions, then the performance by the group To-Isis was. It was a spirited display of showmanship, professionalism and artistry that made for one fabulous cabaret performance. And when YEA called honouree Jacqueline Lloyd-Coke on stage and took turns to woo her in song, the group won themselves fans with their music.
Among those out were: Custos of Kingston, Canon Weeville Gordon; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips; Tourism and Industry Minister Aloun Asamba and son Dominic Strachn; Junior Minister Dr. Wykeham McNeil; Ambassador Peter King; Ambassador Madge Barrrett; Dr. Jeanne Dixon; Mrs. Beverly Lopez; Head of EU Delegation Ambassador Gerd and Mara Jarchow; Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva; Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair Shirley; Chris and Zein Nakash; Ricky Azan; DCP Mark Sheilds; Mrs. Paula Pairman; Omar and Lizanne Azan; Mark and Wendy Haddad; David Hall; Stephen and Anna-Kay Shirley; Gregory Pullen; siblings Trevor and Terry Bernard; Dave and Charmaine Daniels; Neville and Ruth Roberts; Mrs. Phillip Martin; Wayne Hewitt; Peter and Collette Risden; Andre Forbes; plus a number of others, but it made for one very auspicious launch of an organisation whose time had long since arrived and how!
