Cultural expo aims to build economic bridge to Caribbean

“Caribbean Realities,” a June 7-8 exposition celebrating Charleston’s cultural and economic links to the Caribbean, will be more than a steel drum-syncopated, spice-flavored festival. The two-day event honoring the centennial of the first Charleston-Caribbean cultural celebration could open doors to local businesses interested in Caribbean trade.

“It’s a chance for the Lowcountry’s small businesses to build relationships with Caribbean business leaders,” says Lucy Duncan, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Museum of the Americas, which along with the City of Charleston and the South Carolina World Trade Center is sponsoring the exposition. “Networking—that’s what it’s about.”

Duncan says the goal of “Caribbean Realities” is to re-establish Charleston as America’s gateway to the Caribbean.

“That’s what Charleston used to be and what the 1902 cultural and trade expo celebrated,” explains Duncan, a native Charlestonian. “South Carolina was first settled by planters from Barbados, who brought with them slaves from Africa. The planters transferred a tropical plantation economy to the Lowcountry. Along with that transfer came elements of Caribbean culture and architecture, like the Charleston single house.”

Held in Hampton Park, the 1902 “South Carolina and Interstate and West Indian Exposition,” which actually opened Dec. 1, 1901, was a six-month “extravaganza” of art, architecture, education and entertainment that Duncan says drew more than 675,000 spectators. The brainchild of Charleston businessman F.W. Wagener, the expo’s purpose was to promote trade with the West Indies and Latin America.

“The Bridge to the Future” is the exposition’s theme in 2002.

A one-on-one dialogue with speakers and panelists is scheduled for June 8. “This will give local business owners a chance to network with the Caribbean’s economic and political leaders and learn how they can export goods and services to the Caribbean,” Duncan points out, adding that the expo offers ties to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, which funds feasibility studies for businesses interested in overseas ventures.

Also, small businesses can register with the Inter-America Agency of the Organization of American States for possible referrals to the Caribbean if the businesses meet the IAA’s “best practices” criteria, says Duncan.

Among the organizations to be represented at the expo are the IAA, the Caribbean Development Bank, the World Trade Centers Association, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the South Carolina State Ports Authority and others. In addition, Duncan says all 32 Caribbean countries are ready to participate and that the sponsors are trying to attract as many Caribbean prime ministers as possible.

The exposition will include a block party, a visual arts exhibit, musical performances and a book fair. Venues include the Concord Street Passenger Terminal, Fountain Walk, Hampton Park and the Lowndes Plantation.