The Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) wrapped up its 2025 ElevateAll Programme, focused on tourism and hospitality, on Friday, with a Demo Day graduation event.
The event, held at CLBD’s office in Georgetown, marked the end of four months of intensive training, mentorship, and business development support divided into two phases. The programme was co-facilitated by Programme Leads Nicola Panday and Ron Glasglow, and Programme Coordinator Cecil Maxwell.
Addressing attendees at the graduation, Programme Lead Panday explained, “The ElevateAll Programme is for a specific niche of business in Guyana. This year, we chose the tourism and hospitality industry given the growing need for tourism in Guyana, all of the investments towards it, and most importantly, this is one of the sectors that literally touches every single region in Guyana.”
Nicola Panday leading a training session (Photo: Centre for Local Business Development/ Facebook)
Panday also provided an overview of the programme, explaining the work done during the two phases and their sessions.
Phase One kicked off with an engaging two-day boot camp, where participants took part in peer- and mentor-led sessions, developed business models, refined their pitching skills, and explored growth strategies.
This led into Phase Two – a 12-week programme offering personalised mentoring, weekly business progression sessions covering topics like marketing, market sizing, pitch development, impact measurement, OHSSE, project management, and more.
Panday noted, “During this programme, we have had the pleasure of getting to know them a little bit more intimately, as individuals, as entrepreneurs, as senior persons in their business.”
She praised the entrepreneurs that participated for their willingness and persistence despite experiencing personal and professional turmoil.
Providing a participant testimonial was Romain Persaud, Managing Director of Eco Destinations Guyana.
“They continued to share tools that shifted our perspective on how we operate as (a) business and helped me to recognise how I can add value towards growing my business.”
Romain Persaud, Managing Director of Eco Destinations Guyana (Photo: News Room)
Persaud expressed gratitude to the funders and CLBD team stating, “For your attention, your time, and most importantly, the knowledge that they would’ve shared with us for free… that was most impactful.”
He also encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to “continue to grow in the entities that (they) lead.”
President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Dee George also addressed the entrepreneurs.
“The programme that you would’ve embarked on, it’s more than just adding to your business venture.
“It’s more like adding to the experiences that will unfold.”
Dee George, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (Photo: News Room)
“…we’re assuming, that you had that entrepreneur gift already, and what this programme does for you is to just build on it, bring out your passions, bring out your already embedded gifts and to see how best we can upscale and give you added confidence as you go forward.”
Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the graduating entrepreneurs and gave extensive advice on matters surrounding business, with a focus on business in Guyana.
Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Photo: News Room)
“As soon as you go through that door, you are faced with the challenges. But the challenges (are) not for you anymore. This is your country, one of the few (countries) that is going to be the (richest) in the world.
“And if you want to ensure that you’re part of business you have to understand business. And as a private sector president I want to ensure that you do that.”
She further emphasised the importance of building a system to guarantee credibility and trust.
The ElevateAll Programme was supported by the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd., and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana.
Yogeeta Singh, Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana
Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana, Yogeeta Singh relayed, “At ExxonMobil… we are truly inspired by the way each of you embrace the learning journey. Sharing your experiences, building your expertise, and already planning on how to apply your knowledge you’ve acquired over the few weeks you’ve been here… that’s really remarkable.
The post 22 tourism & hospitality companies empowered through 2025 ElevateAll programme appeared first on News Room Guyana.
