There were thunderstorms, and the heavens opened with a downpour but that did not hinder the arrival of leather enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and fun-seekers at the Balmoral Convention Center of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island the venue of the 5th Edition of the Lagos Leather Fair. One can very well say that the leather industry is an extreme sport therefore, a little rainfall wouldn’t daunt all that had been planned out for the local and international community. That’s how the day commenced.
Nigerians, or would it be better to say Africans, do have a magnificent taste when it comes to style, fashion, and creativity because, at the Lagos Leather Fair, one could swim in a sea of leather products and services that soothe different wants, needs, and style. It was a taste of leathery goodness with non-stop engaging activities at every nook and cranny of the fairground.
One activity that stood out was the conversations during the masterclasses. The first session for the day had the topic titled “The Journey Ahead for Intra-African Trade — Spotlight on Creatives and the AfCFTA” which focused on the role of the AfCFTA in aiding intra-African trade for SMEs and how brands can benefit from it. The panelists included representatives from the Trade Policy and Business Environment, Banks, Insurance, E-Commerce, and Consultancy firms.
Navigating the Challenges of Payment Gateways: What’s the way out for SMEs? and Achieving Social Impact in the Creative Space — Doing Good while Doing Business were leading conversations during the master classes. These discussions addressed the issues of cross-border payments faced by SMEs and the need to employ digital payments to ease cross-border transactions. The conversations also showcased the importance of businesses to contribute to the socio-economic growth of society. Speakers were able to share insights on ways that businesses can drive social change and impact.
The day was indeed more interesting than envisaged and all who were in attendance found it worth every second of their time. The air was cool, exhibitors were on their ‘A-game’, food vendors had the grills firing up non-stop, DJ supplied back-to-back tunes and the host was truly the best salesman. Visitors were entertained and booths were filled up. Questions were answered, knowledge was exchanged, and new relationships were born. It was a completely fun learning day.
Day 2 camealive by 10 am on Sunday the 12th of June. It was the last and final day. The venue was the Balmoral Convention Center at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. There is no better way to celebrate Democracy Day than with friends, family, and loved ones at the Lagos Leather Fair to get an unforgettable leathery experience.
