In a determined effort to make Bermudians understand the importance of the role international business plays in the success of their country, BIBA (Bermuda International Business Association) takes over Hamilton's City Hall Car Park for its first-ever IB EXPO this Saturday. The day-long exhibition, which also celebrates the City of Hamilton's centenary, will culminate in `A Night of Bermuda Stars' when Hubert Smith hosts an all-Bermudian cast displaying their talents in a free concert.

Emphasising that local support -- both by utilities and service providers -- is vital if the international organisations themselves are to maintain prominence in an increasingly competitive world, IB EXPO '97 will host over 35 booths that represent all segments of Bermudian economic activity, ranging from local banks, communications companies to travel agencies, law firms and support organisations. Tourism, that vital `twin pillar' of the economy, will also be heavily represented through such organisations as the Bermuda Hotel Association, the Visitor Industry Partnership, and the restaurants and catering firms which will be on hand in the various food and drink tents.

Norris Ebbin, Bermudian chartered accountant and chairman of BIBA's Local Marketing Committee, says that the idea for the exhibition arose as part of a three-year campaign to raise awareness and explain the benefits of international business to the community as a whole.

The second part of an Island-wide survey, undertaken for BIBA by independent research firm, Market Facts of Canada and published today, finds that while general awareness of international business has risen significantly since the benchmark research of 1994, there are still many "relatively simplistic'' misconceptions that need to be addressed. "There is still, for instance, a sense of inequality of opportunity, especially among young black males, a feeling that they have no part in international business -- that the best jobs in Bermuda are taken by non-Bermudians, and that international business as a whole is just an `ex-pat thing','' says Mr. Ebbin.

"We felt that a business exhibition would be an effective way of explaining that BIBA is about all of us -- a message we have been trying to get across for the past three years. My committee was funded by the private sector with matching funds by Government. We developed a communications programme which, besides the two surveys, has concentrated on print, radio and TV media, the production of brochures, participation in public events, such as Harbour Nights, Cup Match and the End to End Walk, where we have been talking `one on one' to the general community as much as possible. We also produced an audio visual presentation which demonstrates how international business and supporting local companies are interdependent. We felt there was a great need to get people to understand that everyone, from the CEO to the entertainer, the cleaner, and the dishwasher is involved in Bermuda's success -- especially in the hotels and hospitality industry which provide the infrastructure that makes Bermuda an attractive place to do business. We should never forget,'' he adds, "that every businessman who comes here on business is also a tourist.

The competition between these two aspects of our economy should never, never have happened and we have to reinforce the fact that there is a direct and vital relationship between the two industries.'' While the exhibition is certainly not a `careers fair', IB EXPO was planned as a practical way of demonstrating the many career opportunities that are available to Bermudians. "It makes sense to employ Bermudians but they have to be qualified.'' Ebbin puts BIBA in the spotlight "I think we need to be aware,'' says Mr. Ebbin, "that we can't just plonk into these jobs simply by virtue of being Bermudian! We have to compete for the jobs that are available and people must recognise that we are no longer automatically the destination of choice for either tourism or for international business. I know there are contingency plans in place for companies to leave if Bermuda ceases to be an attractive place to do business.

This is `Bermuda Inc.' and we have to compete globally and keep fully abreast of the competition overseas.'' Mr. Ebbin, who just one year ago was appointed Vice President, Accounting and Control at the Bermuda Telephone Company, says that, on the other hand, the survey reveals that 67 percent now believe that international business does create jobs for Bermudians (as opposed to 54 percent in the first survey).

Most would agree that Norris Ebbin, professionally recognised by international institutions and now, a dynamic young leader of his company and of BIBA, is himself a role model as a Bermudian who has succeeded in this competitive era: as the son of a postman, he worked hard to obtain scholarships that took him to Acadia University where his degree in business administration in 1986 was followed by the arduous Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants training programme run by local accounting firm KPMG, Peat Marwick.

"I was brought up with a good work ethic and I had a religious upbringing,'' he says, "with all the values and attitudes it installs. I do think that the communal spirit has been diminished since I was born. People don't seem to care about one another as they once did.'' Recognising that many Bermudians have never, in fact, been inside the modern offices that have sprung up all over Hamilton, Mr. Ebbin 's committee has arranged for conducted tours to be made of three nearby firms, including accounting firm Arthur Andersen (in Victoria Hall), Centre Re (Cumberland House) and First Bermuda Securities at Chevron House. Staff have volunteered to be on hand to answer any questions.

Mr. Ebbin is anxious to point out that besides providing -- directly or indirectly -- around 15,000 Bermudians with jobs, international business also contributes greatly to a quality of life that is, perhaps, sometimes taken for granted: general education, the arts, sport, cultural and charitable organisations have all benefited enormously, thanks to the generous donations or sponsorship of international business. Eight insurance and reinsurance companies, for example, have donated $250,000 each to The Council Partners fundraising campaign, more than $1.5 million has been distributed in extensive scholarship programmes, and for more than 20 years, companies have sponsored important artistic events such as the annual Bermuda Festival.

Organised in conjunction with the EXPO, BIBA's marketing committee also set up a creative writing competition aimed at involving young people of under 14, students over 14, as well as the Bermuda College. Prizes are due to be awarded by Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith during the EXPO, with winning entries displayed in the foyer of City Hall. Not surprisingly, the theme for these essays was "International Business...It's About All Of Us'', and the committee was gratified by the overall response.

Visitors to the IB EXPO will be able to see BIBA's audio visual presentation, plus two other video films, sponsored by Lombard Odier and shown every hour in the City Hall Theatre. Led by the Bermuda Regiment Band who will get the day's proceedings off to a rousing start by marching up Queen Street to the parking lot, other groups and performers will appear throughout the day.

Starla Williams of Select Sites has organised the logistics of the event and Rhona Emmerson of Advertising Associates has designed the programmes and brochures.

The Council Partners Charitable Trust have organised a major raffle which will be drawn during the concert. The `Night of Bermuda Stars' will be hosted by Hubert Smith and includes Gita Blakeney, Shine Hayward, Legacy, Toni Robinson, Madree Cross, Last Rights (Owen Burgess), Kion Simmons, Sandra Choudrey and the Warner Gombeys.

"Over 80 volunteers have worked very hard to make this day a success,'' says Mr. Ebbin, "and we are very grateful. Without them, this couldn't happen and we believe and hope that we can make EXPO an annual affair.'' The International Business EXPO '97 gets underway at City Hall on Saturday, July 19, with the arrival of the Bermuda Regiment Band at 9.45 a.m. The fair closes at 6 p.m. and the Night of Bermuda Stars concert commences at 8 p.m, and ends at 10 p.m.