— 30 entrepreneurs to showcase products, services at Pegasus Hotel; AI training, fashion auditions among highlights

TEN years after its launch as a platform to empower women entrepreneurs, the Women in Business Expo will return to the Pegasus Hotel Guyana on October 24 and 25, bringing together 30 business owners for a special anniversary edition celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation and growth.
Founded in 2016 by Guyanese fashion designer and entrepreneur Sonia Noel, the initiative was established to provide women, particularly those entering the business sector, with opportunities to showcase their products and services, connect with potential customers and expand their market reach.
This year’s event, dubbed Women in Business Expo 30, forms part of Noel’s wider celebration of 30 Years of Style, Purpose & Impact, marking three decades of her contributions to fashion, entrepreneurship and community development.
The two-day exhibition will feature both established entrepreneurs who participated in earlier editions and emerging business owners, highlighting the growth of enterprises that benefited from the platform over the past decade.
For Noel, the anniversary represents more than a celebration of the Expo’s longevity. It is an opportunity to reflect on the journeys of women who used the initiative to introduce their businesses to the market and have since expanded their operations.
“Thirty years as an entrepreneur has taught me so much. I have made mistakes, I have experienced challenges and I have also had tremendous triumphs. But one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey has been creating a stage for other people to be seen, to grow and to believe that what they envision is possible,” Noel said.
The Expo, which was first staged at Pegasus Hotel in 2016, continued virtually for several years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its physical staging.
Its return to the hotel is particularly significant, Noel noted, given the establishment’s support for the initiative from its inception.
She expressed appreciation to Pegasus Hotel Guyana and the sponsors, partners, organisations and individuals who have contributed to the development of the Expo over the years.
AI TRAINING, FASHION AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Beyond the exhibition of products and services, this year’s event will place emphasis on preparing entrepreneurs to operate in an increasingly digital business environment.
A special developmental session will be facilitated by Dr Anthony Q. Bowen, a professor at Grand Canyon University and creator of the Knowledge Structuring Model (KSM), who also developed Noel’s new website.
Dr Bowen will engage participating entrepreneurs on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly how businesses can improve their digital visibility and position themselves to benefit from emerging technologies.
His Knowledge Structuring Model, developed in 2026, focuses on AI-mediated visibility, Answer Engine Optimisation and Generative Engine Optimisation, which are approaches aimed at helping businesses organise their information so that AI-powered systems can better identify and present their products and services.
Noel said the incorporation of practical business development sessions reflects her commitment to ensuring that the Expo continues to provide opportunities beyond sales and networking.
Another highlight will be the Designers’ Quest auditions, during which participants will be selected for an upcoming 30 Designers competition.
The anniversary edition will also feature pop-up shops, fashion displays, entrepreneurial success stories and networking opportunities.
Visitors will be able to explore a range of locally produced goods and services, interact directly with entrepreneurs and begin their Christmas shopping while supporting small businesses.
Noel said the event will also highlight the experiences of women who participated in earlier editions, including the challenges they encountered and how their businesses evolved.
“We are not only looking at where people are today. We are looking at where they started, what they had to overcome, how they grew and what is possible when someone is given an opportunity and then decides to keep going,” she explained.
LOVE REVOLUTION TO BE RELAUNCHED
The anniversary celebrations will begin on Friday, October 23, with the relaunch of Love Revolution, another initiative Noel established in 2016.
The event, scheduled for the morning at Pegasus Hotel Guyana, will mark a renewed effort to promote kindness, compassion, respect and community service.
Developed around the message that “Love is an action word”, the initiative encourages individuals to demonstrate love through meaningful actions towards themselves, others, their communities and the environment.
The original Love Revolution was launched in collaboration with US-based empowerment specialist Dr Linda Wallace and subsequently expanded into schools and communities, with its message also reaching audiences internationally.
Although plans for its continued development were disrupted by the pandemic, Noel said the initiative remains relevant, particularly at a time when greater compassion, unity and social responsibility are needed.
“For me, it begins with loving God, understanding the importance of loving ourselves and then allowing that love to influence how we treat each other and the world around us, including the environment. We need communities where people genuinely care about one another,” she said.
The renewed initiative is expected to involve schools, young people, families, businesses, faith-based organisations and communities, with plans to expand its reach through virtual engagements and a global Love Revolution March.
Noel said the relaunch is intended to signal the beginning of another phase of the movement, rather than a one-off anniversary activity.
THREE DECADES OF IMPACT
The October activities form part of a wider anniversary programme commemorating Noel’s 30-year entrepreneurial journey.
She recently returned from the United States, where she participated in several anniversary engagements in Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta and Virginia.
Among the highlights was a reception hosted in her honour at the Embassy of Guyana in Washington, D.C., where she presented her latest fashion collection and hosted a book signing.
She also participated in a showcase and special conversation during a Congressional Black Caucus event, along with other fashion, media and anniversary engagements.
The celebrations will continue in November with activities focusing on men and boys in observance of International Men’s Day. These will include a special brunch and fashion experience at which Noel is expected to introduce her men’s collection.
In the meantime, Noel is encouraging Guyanese to support the entrepreneurs participating in the upcoming Expo, noting that purchasing from small businesses and promoting their products can contribute to their long-term success.
“When you purchase from a small business, recommend an entrepreneur, make a connection or simply encourage someone who is building something, you become part of that person’s journey. That is the spirit I want people to bring to this Expo,” she said.
Persons interested in the Women in Business Expo and related anniversary activities can obtain additional information by WhatsApp at 592-684-8129 or by visiting sonianoel.com.