Over the past seven years the Small Business Association has produced a Youth Forum as a part of the array of activities during Small Business Week and with this being the 11^th year of the week of activities, the Forum's intriguing atmosphere was no different.

"The Youth Forum is focused on preparing those students involved in the Enterprise In Action Youth (EIA) Programme, to understand in a very practical way the world of business," explained Ms. Lynette Holder, CEO of the Small Business Association.

A combination of secondary and primary schools across the island were educated  on the opportunities in the entertainment and information technology sectors. Holder emphasised that the SBA had taken note that in recent years, the youth have gravitated towards the creative sector and ICT industries and she wanted to encourage them to pursue the comercialisation of their hobbies in these areas.  

The students were given a brief workshop on on-line marketing & planning, social media publications as well as mobile app development from members of the SBA. They were also introduced to the science of vocal training and the ins-and-outs of the music industry. Amidst the quiet atmosphere at the Savannah Hotel, the students received a private "concert" from Kirk Brown and Dwayne Antonio Husbands backed by the Energy Band. One could hear the students’ roaring  applause from the well-received performances. It is expected that the students would build on this introduction into the world of business as they commence the roll out of the EIA programme for academic year 2014 – 2015.