SLECC comes of age as exhibition organiser

Women in Business by Irangika Range

The Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) will organise the Bridal Fair 2006 from March 9 to 12 at the SLECC for the 10th year in succession.

The SLECC is the pioneer in introducing bridal fairs to Sri Lanka.

The fair has also provided a good platform to many small-time entrepreneurs in villages to come up in life in the past few years.

SLECC's General Manager and CEO Shanti Outschoorn said she is happy to say that the bridal fair was able to help develop untapped creativity and talents of villagers through its competitions and providing stalls to conduct their different segments such as, photography, flower decorations, poruwa, and all beauty culture related activities.

"It has revolutionised the whole industry and people who are engaged in the field got together and encouraged to establish their first association as well.

The fair comprising leading professionals in the industry will conduct demonstrations, fashion shows to the public.

There are many potentials at the exhibition for couples and parents to plan their wedding and their budget by gaining advise and ideas under one roof.

The average visitors recorded was 6000 at the fair last year.

There will be 100 stalls at the fair this year while bridal and cake competitions and fashion shows will be conducted at the same venue.

Like most of the other successful entrepreneurs, believing in hard work, commitment and having efficient work focus on what wish to achieve, Shanti joined to the SLECC in 1995 as a Project Manager targeting to create a new dimension in value added support services.

Gaining working experience for the last eleven years after qualifying in marketing at the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing), she climbed up the ladder gradually achieving her target which was the top in her own career.

The SLECC provides BOI approved facilities, which is on par with international standards. Starting with organising six exhibitions at the centre, today it facilitates the conduct of 14 exhibitions held each year. It has also recorded 32 percent growth in turnover last year while increasing its employees from 18 to 32.

The centre is a widely acknowledged identity in the business and trading community as a symbol of experience, expertise and excellence in business to business and business to consumer trade meets, the portfolio of events ranging from trade exhibitions to consumer fairs, both international and local.

It was also able to contribute to improve the MICE industry providing a custom-built venue for national and international conferences and 14 trade and consumer fairs.

Backed by a highly trained team to provide all aspects of business services such as marketing and sales, event management, project implementation and administration, SLECC is a one stop shop offering an integrated and cost effective solution.

'Even though we organise many trade fairs, each one is focused on different segments including education and career guidance, gem and jewellery and furniture and interior and children to uplift various industries'.

She said that self-motivation and positive thinking are the driving forces in her life that have helped her overcome hard issues.

A past pupil of St. Gabriels Convent, she said that her job is very challenging being accountable for the profitability and the sustainability of the company as well.

"My husband Brian , daughter Michelle and son-in-law Emile gave me all strength to become successful in my life. I have passed difficult times age in my life because when my daughter was 13 when I got involved in this field.

But I am really happy now that I was able to give her a good education and she is a graduate now. 'I have to play the role of working as a mother and businesswoman, but I work with good time management and by hard work and taking correct decisions at the right time to achieve my goals without neglecting both,' she said.