Finding Our Perfect Vessel - Lau Trader

2009 has proven to be a year full of surprises!

In May after coming back from a good outing of taking goods & services to Northern Lau, we decided to do other trips to cover the rest of the group.

In our research, we found we needed to take a second vessel with us that would have the capacity to bring back copra. This would firstly enable our suppliers to take a lot more cargo then on the first trip and also allow ordinary villager's to exchange goods on sale at our trade show with copra. It will be a first attempt. But then, everything is a first attempt - and we don't give up if we fail the first time, we keep trying, learning and trying until it's more than perfect.

From June, we have searched high and low to find the most suitable 2nd vessel. It has been a painful & heartwrenching exercise.

Finally, on Monday 16th November, Tomu & I visited and took a tour of the new Yatu Lau Shipping Vessel MV Lau Trader! It is a sight to see and is the perfect boat!

We now look forward to our 2010 Calendar. We will keep you posted.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Lolomas
Atelaite.

The Pearl South Pacific - Pacific Habour

In the last week of June, i started a Consultancy Contract with the Pearl South Pacific to cover local corporate events & public relations.

Despite the ever changing weather patterns in the Central Division of Fiji, The Pearl South Pacific is still the most adorable venue for any type of event.

I first set foot at The Pearl when i worked for Pacific Groove who chose the property as the accommodation provider for UB40's Fiji Tour in 2006. The band loved the atmosphere and the ambience & uniqueness of the property. The property with it's 72 standard rooms & 6 penthouses coupled with 5 bars on the property and a stand alone Bar & Country Glub at it's Championship Golf Course is a must see & stay for any visiting group.

The work for me has been a challenge in the trying times that Fiji is going through. Nevertheless, it is times such as these, that new & great ideas may come to LIFE.

View images of The Pearl on www.thepearlsouthpacific.com

In addition to doing work for the Pearl, I am still in ongoing planning for our Lau Development trade trips - one of which is coming up in the next 8 weeks.

Will keep you posted. Stay blessed.

Yasayasa Moala Mobile Exhibition 2009

In our quest to take goods & services directly to our shores in the Lau Group of Islands, Unique Events has begun planning and preparations for the 2nd trip to go to Yasayasa Moala. The Moala cluster is made up of the 3 islands of Moala, Totoya & Matuku and is inhabited by just under 3000 people.

We hope that by our island hopping trade shows, we can meet the needs of the people.

Your support through prayers will be much appreciated.

Vinaka.

A Success Filled Outing in Northern Lau

We returned on Thursday 21st May to Suva's Kings Wharf from our island hopping trade show to Northern Lau. All participants have been in awe of the resources that we have access to. However, it has also brought out the problem of shipping to these islands. Solutions have been fervently discussed on the vessel whilst we travelled between islands. Our objective to begin to showcase Lau and it's potential to the local private sector has been achieved. Sales have been great for participants as people bought in hard cash - people were seen to be carrying around bags of money! I guess they don't have anywhere else to spend it on other than food products at the local shops.

The people of Northern Lau have also responded well to our trip. As a result we will do another Northern Lau trip before year end. But, first we have to do the other parts of Lau as well.

Unique Events has decided to focus on Lau for 2 main reasons. The first is because i am a native of Lau and secondly is because we are the farthest and most inaccesible of the maritime provinces.

We hope and pray you will all continue to pray for us in our work to take goods & services to our shores for the betterment of our fellow countrymen.

Trying Times Brings Greater Satisfaction - Lau Trip

The past 4 months have been one of the most gruelling for me as an Events Planner putting together a plan and then selling the concept to the private sector & government.

The objective is to take goods & services directly to the people in Lau - starting with Northern Lau.

In these trying times, where our dollar has been devalued in the face of a world wide recession, i take my hat off to the private sector in Fiji for still believing in furthering their business in Northern Lau. We have had to defer our trip by two weeks from 3rd May and then had to shorten our stay in each island just so we could even go!

However, despite our great sadness at the non participation of key services that should bolster development in Northern Lau - the trip will depart Suva's Kings Wharf at 10am headed for our first stop at Lakeba. We thank God abundantly for making it happen for us and for the 5097 people awaiting our arrival.

Our satisfaction and gratitude cannot be explained in words.

Today, i have had several calls from the islands. The people are so looking foward to our arrival with all the goods & services being brought for the first time to their doorstep.

We hope you will pray with us for a safe & success filled journey into Northern Lau from the 17th - 21st of May 2009.

All good things come to those who wait.

The island hopping tradeshow for the Northern Lau Group of Islands is proving to be a big Hit!

Unique Events would like to thank Blue Lagoon Cruises for providing us with an excellent vessel to make this event a great one.

At present we have only 5 cabins left and 5 beds for services providers or additional company representatives.

We'd also like to thank the following companies for their positive outlook on potential in the Northern Lau Group:

Fiji TV, Sky Pacific & Compaq - Sky Pacific, radio telephones & PA systems for church's
South Pacific Productions - scouting for events & television series/movie locations
RC Manubhai - hardware products
Telecom & Vodafone - telecommunications
Asco Motors - marine & auto products..also includes free servicing at each sales venue
Colonial - banking services..opening of bank accounts etc
Coconut Industry Development Authority - copra related issues
CJ Patel/Colgate/Foods Pacific - Household essentials & foods

We will keep you posted on all developments.

God Bless.

Northern Lau Mobile Exhibition 3rd - 9th May 2009

For the first time ever in Fiji, a mobile exhibition will travel from Suva covering the Northern Lau Group of Islands.

The mobile exhibition will carry 28 different companies selling goods and services to it's customers in Northern Lau. Islands covered will be Lakeba, Nayau, Cicia, Tuvuca & Vanua Balavu.

At present there are places still available at FJ$5000VIP per bed which includes transportation direct to customers, all accomodation and meals for the duration of the trip, all publicity and marketing activities, fijian protocols at the islands and sales venue set up (includes cargo handling). This "investment cost" also includes cargo/products that each company/participant is taking with certain limitations.

Therefore, participants only need to do their main job description which is to - SELL their products and/or services.

This is a Fiji Shipping Corporation Ltd Initiative which is planned and executed by Unique Events.

We at Unique Events will keep a daily diary throughout the duration of the event via this blog.

We request that you will support us through prayers for safety and success throughout this 7 day trip to the Northern Lau Islands. God Bless. Atelaite.

Rarama Range for Hire

For the first time ever in Fiji, Unique Events is introducing a glow range of Bars & Bench's available for hire for any event/function.

It is intended to give a "WOW" effect to your party attendees and is guranteed to work wonders. It comes at a very reasonable hire charge of FJ$609 VIP for 2 x glow bars & 2 x glow bench's. The charge includes, delivery to site (from Lautoka to Nadi Areas including Denarau Island), set up & pick up from venue. This gives the party/event/function co-ordinator some ease, to focus on other important factors.

Lights within the bars & bench's can be changed to your colour of choice without any additional charges!

We also have 'personalized signage' available upon request. You may want to put a "Happy Birthday" on the front panels of the bars & bench's or even put your company logo! The possibilities are endless!

Book and confirm now to avoid disappointment! E-mail: uniquevents@live.com