St. George’s, May 10, 2012 – The Spicemas Corporation (SMC) is about to unveil its regional television media promotion to attract thousands of Caribbean visitors to Grenada for this year’s carnival.
“Uniquely Rooted in Our Rich Ancestral Traditions. Shortknee: Legacy of the Chantuelle,’’ is the theme of Spicemas 2012 that will be launched Saturday, June 2, at the National Stadium.
“The promo, which features items of our traditional mas, will soon be rolled out on regional media,’’ said SMC chairman Colin Dowe.
Over the past few months, the SMC Board of Directors and its various subcommittees have hosted numerous meetings. The gatherings have included an April 28 retreat at the National Stadium and a luncheon for prospective sponsors.
“These meetings have been very useful in receiving ideas and suggestions on making this year’s carnival not just another success, but also on moving it towards being a profitable undertaking for the corporation which has to raise its own funds for the running of Spicemas,’’ Dowe said.
An economic impact assessment study of carnival, conducted last year by Trinidadian Dr. Keith Nurse, revealed that Spicemas generated EC$18.1 million in revenue for the country. The study was funded by the European Union.
The 2011 festival was operated on a budget of a $700,000 grant from government, as well sponsorship from LIME and other private sector entities.
Dr. Nurse, Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados, is one of the Caribbean’s foremost experts on the region’s cultural industry.
“You’ll find that sponsors, as well as hoteliers, people in the car rental business and others, are all benefitting from the key flows associated with the festival,’’ Dr. Nurse said.
Apart from the traditional mas displays, competitions in fancy mas, steelpan, calypso and soca, the SMC is also planning to host Carnival City for the second consecutive year.
In 2011, Carnival City was held twice weekly – Thursday and Sunday – at Fort Matthew in St. George’s.
“Spicemas belongs to all Grenadians. We are, therefore, exploring the idea this year of rotating Carnival City by moving it around to the different parishes,’’ Dowe said. “We intend to work with the parish carnival committees to realize this plan and – of course – help stimulate the rural economy.’’
Dowe, SMC Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Woodroffe, and other members of the corporation, are expected to hold a series of meetings with media workers and managers, and the various stakeholders of carnival, in the next few weeks.
