Fleming hails first St. Maarten Back-to-School Expo a success, confirms annual event

GREAT BAY--Organizer Bertaux “Mr. Rude” Fleming of Xtratight Entertainment has described St. Maarten’s first Back to School Expo, held Sunday, as a strong success, pointing to the turnout, range of participating organizations and level of discussion as indications that the initiative has significant room to grow.

Fleming said the participation of suppliers, vendors, educational institutions, after-school programs and community partners demonstrated the need for a central platform where families, students and educators can access information and resources connected to education and preparation for the school year.

He stressed that the expo was developed as a community initiative rather than a commercial event.

“The difference between this Back to School Expo is, it’s not a commercial event. It’s a community event,” Fleming said, explaining that Xtratight’s role was to facilitate a platform where education-related information, services and opportunities could be brought together in one location.

Fleming said the response to the inaugural event exceeded his expectations, particularly the panel discussions, which brought together individuals with considerable knowledge and experience in education and related fields.

He said the discussions also reinforced the importance of creating more opportunities for educators, parents, organizations and other stakeholders to exchange information and examine the challenges and opportunities affecting young people.

“The turnout was great. The panel discussions, amazing,” Fleming said.

Rather than viewing the first edition as a finished product, Fleming said the intention is to develop the Expo based on feedback from the community. A survey will be opened following the event to allow participants and members of the public to suggest improvements, including what they would like to see incorporated and the most appropriate period of the year to stage future editions.

Fleming said this approach reflects how he has developed other concepts over the years.

“I don’t judge the start. I just start. And from the time we start, we start to develop, and we give direction,” he said.

He also stressed that the Education Expo is not intended to compete with existing educational activities, but to complement them by creating another avenue through which children and families can be better prepared and informed.

Fleming confirmed that planning will begin almost immediately for the next edition, with organizers expected to establish a date after reviewing feedback from Sunday's event.

“This is definitely an annual event,” he said.

‍