Every year, for the past 20 years, UWI (Development and Endowment Fund) has held its annual Carnival Fete.  The purpose of the fete is to fund bursaries to deserving students. Less than one month after the 2010 fete, 160 bursuries each of $5,000 in value were awarded and handed out to recipients.

This year, despite the downturn, the UWI fete performed particularly well. In fact, it sold out, why?  As chair of the Fete here’s what I think.

1. Build a strong brand

The UWI Fete is one of the first All Inclusives in T&T, and was started by the then Principal of UWI and our current President, His Excellency Maxwell Richards.  It has always set high standards and most importantly, positioned itself as the Fete that attracts the Who’s Who of the private and public sectors.  It’s the place to go if you want to see and meet the movers and shakers of our country.  So  the essence of the the UWI Fete brand, I believe, is about rewarding yourself with the best Fete experience because you are a high achiever and you deserve it.  The UWI fete gives people an opportunity to Fete and at the same time do good.

The 2010 Fete was the 20th Anniversary of the Fete and that gave us an opportunity to remind people what a great time they have had in the past 20 years.  It was celebrating a special occasion of a strong brand. (more…)