THE Progressive Labour Party has been accused of turning its back on local businesses after hiring an overseas company to organise a fundraising gala.

The party has hired Virginia-based Events Management Group (EMG) to produce the 'Premier's Gala Weekend' starting on January 12. But local events organisers have condemned the appointment, claiming that the contract should have given to an island-based firm.

And the has been unable to track down any record of EMG in Virginia. The PLP website advises interested parties to contact Harriette Ecton of EMG but provided a fax number rather than a telephone number. Calls to Mrs. Ecton's home in Oakton, Virginia were not answered.

But it is understood that Mrs. Ecton's husband, Virgil Ecton, is the vice-president of University Advancement at Howard University in Washington, the alma mata of Premier Ewart Brown. The Premier is also a former trustee of Howard.

Events organisers in Bermuda this week expressed their anger at the appointment of EMG.

Jane West, who has raised millions of dollars for island charities by organising fundraising events, said there were plenty of Bermudian companies that could be hired to organise the gala.

She said the fact that the PLP was using a US company suggested that donations were being sought from overseas rather than Bermudians, and also questioned whether Mrs. Ecton had been granted a work permit.

"Why aren't they approaching their own constituents?" she asked.

"This is like a big convention and you wonder how people from overseas are going to get here, why they would spend out so much money, and what's in it for them."

Mrs. West said that, had she been approached to organise the event, she would have declined because of her own political views, but added that there were dozens of other island-based organisers who would be willing to be hired.

"There are plenty of successful Bermudian events organisers who could do this. In fact if you're trying to raise money in Bermuda it's more advantageous to have someone here doing the organising ? they will have the contacts. I could do this blindfolded ? it's not rocket science.

"And although there wouldn't be a problem if this person was organising a party in the States, if you are going to be holding a party at a hotel and need to be at that party as an organiser, you need a work permit. I'm not 100 per cent sure who got her work permit through but boy did it come through quickly."

Another company, which asked not to be named, confirmed that there was widespread disappointment within the industry.

"I haven't met anyone yet who's happy with the situation," a spokesperson said.

The Opposition has also condemned the appointment, claiming that the Premier should hire local firms where possible.

United Bermuda Party chairman Gwyneth Rawlins said: "The Premier should revisit his decision to hire a Virginia based company to organise the upcoming four-day PLP gala fund-raiser in January with a view to terminating the contract with that company.

"Dr. Brown's focus on raising election funds from overseas sources should not prevent him from upholding the long standing plea to the country to 'Buy Bermuda'. As head of a Bermuda political party, he should set the example. His first obligation as Premier must be to support the local business community and Bermudian workers.

"We cannot understand why the Premier should farm out a contract to Event Management Group of Oakton, Virginia when there are plenty of very capable event management companies here on the Island.

"We have to wonder whether the PLP Government is truly defending the Bermudian workers who will lose job opportunities to an American company for work done in Bermuda."