PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, October 2, 2026: The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) is inviting food and beverage vendors and craft vendors to strengthen their businesses and prepare for greater vending opportunities for Carnival 2027 through its Vendor Excellence & Sustainability Training (VEST) Programme.
Designed as a practical development programme, the NCC VEST initiative is designed to support the development of a more professional and sustainable Carnival ecosystem while equipping vendors with the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional tools to enhance their operations, improve customer experience, and contribute to a more robust, sustainable, and visitor-friendly Carnival environment.
Over the course of the programme, participants will engage in key areas of business development and vendor excellence, including:
- Business Operations
- Financial Management
- Customer Service & Hospitality
- Event Operations
- Tourism & Visitor Experience
- Branding & Marketing
- Health & Safety
- Business Growth & Professionalism
Beginning on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with a specialised training session for food and beverage vendors only, all training sessions will be held at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, running for approximately three hours each during the daytime.
Additional sessions will take place on October 13, 20 and 27, 2026, bringing vendors from across Trinidad and Tobago together in preparation for Carnival 2027 and beyond.
In sharing the Commission’s vision behind VEST, NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai said, “We are working with our vendor stakeholders to build stronger businesses for Carnival.”
“Through VEST, we hope to encourage vendors to view their participation in Carnival not only as an opportunity to generate income, but also as an avenue for business growth, professional development, and long-term sustainability for themselves, their families and their communities,” Kanhai said.
“The programme will provide practical guidance to help vendors strengthen their business operations, deliver quality service, improve their presentation and branding, understand visitor expectations, and operate safely and professionally within the Carnival environment,” he added.
For more information, please visit the NCC at ncctt.org and TTCarnival365 at ttcarnival365.com. The public can also visit the NCC’s and TTCarnival365’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The Commission thanks all stakeholders and the public for their support and looks forward to a productive VEST programme.