"Invest Caribbean is proud to be making its regional debut in partnership with the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce in Jamaica," said Felicia Persaud, founder of the Invest Caribbean Series and chief executive officer of Hard Beat Communications.

"We are committed to boosting real entrepreneurship in the region and selling the story of the Caribbean as a perfect investment opportunity, like Latin America, to the many US investors who are looking at emerging markets as a viable option."

Expo 2011 will be staged from October 14 to 16 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James. The Invest Caribbean Forum will form part of the expo activities on opening day, October 14.

The meeting will allow registrants with great businesses or ideas to have their own pitch time with investors in a matchmaking session and consultations afterwards.

Persaud, who has been successfully staging the Invest Caribbean Series, has targeted top investors from various sectors to be a part of the three-member panel for the forum. Food and beverage investor Adam Borden has already been confirmed as a panellist.

Borden is the founder and managing director of Bradmer Foods, a private equity firm that invests in and develops food and beverage companies. Bradmer Foods currently has five portfolio companies: Adina Beverages, Blue Horizon Wild, Charles Chocolates, Organic To Go and Sambazon.

"We're excited to participate in Invest Caribbean because of the new foods and faces we're likely to encounter. We look for entrepreneurs with a vision for greatness, a distinguished product and a compelling story," said Borden.

Expo 2011 Chairman Gloria Henry has described the addition of the Invest Caribbean Series as a perfect fit, as MoBay Chamber seeks to be innovative in executing the event.