Brian Stollmeyer, CEO of Premier Events Caribbean and founder of Bridal Beauty and Healthy Living (BBH) exposition

Bridal, Beauty and Beyond exposition, soon to be I Am Woman (March, 2010), will offer women a myriad of opportunities to source the right vendors, get their beauty tips, and be healthy inside and out. CEO, Brian Stollmeyer explains.

CB: When did you become interested in the bridal and beauty industry?

Brian: Having launched the building show, BITS, we researched other industries which involved a relatively large number of people who were in need of additional knowledge and we found three major ones: Automobiles, I.T. and Beauty. We experimented with a show for each of them (AutoEx, BizTech and BBH) and found that the latter was the most deserving of our attention.

CB: When was the first bridal exposition held? Did it meet your expectations as well as the expectations of those who attended?

Brian: We held the first “bridal” expo in 2005. It was not nearly as large as BBH was this year but it showed us that there was a definite need for a well-organized event for the industry that would bring many buyers and sellers together under one roof.

CB: Do you feel that the bridal/beauty industry is growing in Trinidad?

Brian: There is no doubt that the bridal/ beauty industry is growing, rapidly. We have seen it from the increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors at our exposition each year. But we have become fairly close to some of the major players and they are now adopting – and in some cases surpassing – international standards. This was not the norm when we began.

CB: What are some of the favourite attractions at the exposition?

Brian: Apart from new exhibitors, the ones who return always update their products and services. This year we had displays of fruit carvings around the stage, between scenes of typical African and Hindu weddings. Nirmala Thompson decorated the stage magnificently and Ecliff Elie’s superb El Hombre de la Hora 2009 collection on Saturday set the tone for the other fashion shows which followed at regular intervals throughout the event. Seduccion Latina’s lingerie show caused quite a stir amongst the gentlemen visitors as you might imagine; but the stage was busy with wedding singers, African and tassa drummers and various competitions with wonderful prizes – for example free trips to Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia courtesy LIAT. We even had a moko-jumbie bride and groom couple on stilts to welcome our visitors!

CB: Do you have a chance to walk the floor and get a sense of what people are most interested in?

Brian: I walk the floor constantly, interacting with exhibitors and in all honesty, apart from the over-riding requirements of brides to- be, the people who visit are looking for an assortment of ideas. The booths from Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, Tobago and LIAT received a steady stream of visitors who were not only looking for honeymoon destinations, but for holiday options as well. A lot of people seemed to be interested in your Caribbean Belle magazine as well, so that must give you an idea of the cross-section that are attracted to the exposition.

CB: What was the response from exhibitors who took part this year? Has the recession affected turnout in any way?

Brian: Thankfully, most sensible companies realize that cutting their advertising and promotion budgets when there is a recession, is a recipe for disaster. They need to get a bigger share of the shrinking pie and must get out there and fight for it, or go under. So we were fortunate to attract more exhibitors than last year and we increased our own advertising so we also got more visitors this year.

CB: What do you have in store for next year?

Brian: Next year will be something else! Nirmala Thompson is brimming with ideas and my (all-female) staff members are already excited. Ecliff ’s designs were amazing, but even before his fashion show had ended he began telling me what big new ideas he has for 2010! As you know, we will be working closely with Caribbean Belle in the future, so the sky is the limit.

CB: What would be some of the new attractions?

Brian: Apart from what has already been mentioned, the whole basis of the show will be broadened next year. Whilst we will retain the emphasis on brides, beauty and health, we have incorporated the name I AM WOMAN to lead the charge in making it the show for women in the region. Woman power to the fore! Don’t miss it …