Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Commerce is fielding requests from the public after their recent Biz Fest was hailed a success.

“We were even asked to do this on a monthly or quarterly basis,” said DOC Director Petti Matila in response to questions from Samoa News.

The Lemanu and Talauega administration Biz Fest was held on November 19, 2022 at the OMV compound in Tafuna.

And according to the DOC director, “The only challenge we experienced was the fact that several vendors pulled out at the last minute, even on the day of the Biz Fest, which we could've filled with another vendor that wanted to join, but couldn't due to missing the registration deadline we had throughout the month of October. 

 “Other than that, we had no other challenges. The team worked very hard to prepare for this event to be a successful one,” she said.

Asked whether the DOC will make this an annual event the director said that it is in discussion.

 “Absolutely!  “We've gotten a lot of positive feedback from the entrepreneurs and the community-at-large to allow more spaces like these for our local entrepreneurs or small businesses. 

 “We were even asked to do this on a monthly or quarterly basis. We shall see because it takes a lot of time and resources to hold such an event, and it can only get better from here on out.”

The director also took the opportunity to call on businesses to join in on the government’s next festival.

 “We highly encourage all small businesses (old or new, big or small, etc.,) to take advantage of these opportunities and spaces to showcase their goods and services to the community. 

 “A lot of vendors at the BizFest sold out their products at the event.”

A press statement issued by the government stated that Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga and First Lady Ella visited with many of the business owners.

 “It was an opportunity to meet with some of our new entrepreneurs who are just starting out.

“We witnessed a lot of creativity and talent in many of the products,” the governor said.

 “I commend Director Petti and the Department of Commerce for organizing this event to help new and veteran entrepreneurs promote their businesses,” Lemanu continued.

The BizFest was well attended by the public. DOC Director Matila announced that there will be a Trade Show in 2023, and she has invited all entrepreneurs to sign up for next year’s event.