Angus Steele, General Manager at LIME Grenada, wants more companies who benefit directly from the annual hosting of carnival celebrations to partner with Spicemas Corporation, to ensure that the activities remain a sustainable product.
“If you profit from Spicemas, time to come aboard and contribute,” Steele said on Monday during the press launch of the celebrations. Carnival will be from 1 June to 24 August 2013, climaxing on the second Tuesday in August.
The clarion call came against the background of the Corporation having to find ways and means of paying an outstanding debt of more than EC$400,000 from the 2012 celebrations, and data indicating that approximately EC$18 million is generated during the carnival period.
“All that money is circulating in the country and all we need is EC$2.5 million for us to have the celebrations debt free, and there are business places which benefit significantly directly and sometimes indirectly from the celebrations, but they don’t make any contribution to support it,” said Deputy Chairman of the Corporation, Alister Bain.
LIME is this year into the second year of a three year title sponsorship agreement, which involves among other things, marketing and sponsorship title for the soca monarch show. Steele said that his company is not a sponsor to give some financial support and sit back. “We don’t sit at arm’s length but we are integral part of the activities,”
Chairman of the SMC Arthur Hosten, said that Corporation has this year protected the trademark “Spicemas”, and any person or entity that uses the trademark in their promotional activities before, during or after ,will first need permission from the SMC. “That permission will come with a fee, and this is one of the ways we are hoping to raise funds this year,” he said.
Spicemas 2013 will be launched on Saturday at a free concert and exposition on the Carenage. The event will provide an opportunity for carnival bands and calypsonians to display their work for this year, and sponsors and partners will exhibit their products.
Expected to perform are the top three position holders of the 2012 Soca Monarch and Calypso competitions, while seven time winner of the Calypso Monarch title Edison “Ajamu” Mitchell, who is celebrating 30 years in the entertainment business, will be a feature act.
There will be no National Queen Show as part of the 2013 celebration, but a private entity will be hosting a regional beauty pageant on 3 August at the Spice Basket.
by Linda Straker
