Bahamas News
Education Minister Heads Impressive List of Speakers at 2nd Annual GB Tech Summit
#Freeport, GB, November 6, 2018 – Bahamas – Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd heads an impressive list of speakers at the Second Annual Grand Bahama Technology Summit, set to take place, November 14-16 at the Grand Lucayan.
With a special presentation on ‘the future of education,’ Minister Lloyd is expected to expound on a number of government policies and initiatives to come on stream to revamp the educational system in The Bahamas, through the use of technology.
A major advocate for the advancement of technology in schools, Minister Lloyd believes that not only is the advancement of technology in schools inevitable, but it is long overdue in The Bahamas on a wider scale.
“No longer can we exist in a country where the world is advancing through technology around us, and we not be affected,” Minister Lloyd said during his recent budget presentation in Parliament. “We, as a nation must embrace this advancement of technology to benefit our schools, as well as move along the education of our children.”
In a tour of schools on Grand Bahama, just before the start of the new term, Minister Lloyd spoke with members of the media about how the advancement of technology in schools can also positively affect the change of the school’s curriculum.
With several gift presentations of laptops and tablets to primary and junior schools throughout the country by the government, as well as by private companies, Minister Lloyd is looking forward to all of the government schools throughout the country being fully computerized as well as equipped with internet and Wi-Fi capability in a very short period of time.
“We are anticipating having all of our schools throughout the country properly equipped with Wi-Fi capability, which will allow students, under the guidance of teachers, to access the internet, opening up the window of greater learning ability,” said Minister Lloyd. “The advancement of technology in our schools is something which this government is committed to, and moving forward this is one of the major focuses of the Ministry of Education.”
The programs to be implemented by the government are anticipated to be a part of Minister’s Lloyd’s presentation, as this year’s Grand Bahama Tech Summit focuses on education.
Also on the list of speakers at the Summit will be Minister of State for Grand Bahama, one of the initiators of the Grand Bahama Technology Summit — Senator Kwasi Thompson, who will close out the conclave and reveal the way ahead for the GB Technology Steering Committee in their quest to make Grand Bahama a Technology Hub within the region.
Other local speakers at this year’s summit will include Kristie Powell, who will lead a panel discussion on ‘transforming education for the future’; Mark Godson, Managing Director/Americas of GIBC Digital (‘2020 Vision Digital Transformation Plan’); Eugen Winschel, VP of SAP Global Business Operations (‘The Future: Experience the Intelligent Enterprise’); Gravette Brown, business development leader at Aliv, major sponsor of this year’s summit (‘Transforming the Future of Business’); and a representative of Grand Bahama Power Company (‘The future of Energy in Grand Bahama’).
Powell, one of few Bahamians with the privilege of having worked at Google in Silicon Valley, has recently returned home to advance technology in education for Bahamians. As a member of the Grand Bahama Technology Hub Steering Committee, Powell’s focus is on the importance of advancing technology in education; and she is expected to play a significant part Grand Bahama’s immersion into cutting-edge technology.
Eugen Winschel crafts the vision, strategy and roadmap for Enterprise Artificial Intelligence. He has been recognized as a visionary and creative thinker, passionate about challenging the status quo, with an innate ability to simplify complex issues. He brings a unique combination of business and technical savvy. Eugen has gained life experience on three continents, having worked in seven different industries, from automotive to advertising and high tech. He frequently shares his passion for the future of technology and user experience as a speaker and a panelist.
Jeff Campbell is vice-president, the Americas, of Government Affairs at CISCO Systems Inc., the global leader of Internet networking. Since 2001, Campbell has been responsible for developing and implementing CISCO’s public policy agenda with respect to telecommunications, trade, energy, environment, security and technology issues. In addition to his expertise in telecommunications regulations, Mr. Campbell has been involved in public policy with respect to intellectual property law, Internet regulation, energy regulation, international trade and information technology regulation. Prior to joining CISCO, Mr. Campbell headed the Washington government affairs office of Compaq Computers. He will speak on the topic, ‘The Future is Smart.’
Also presenting is John Padgett, Chief Experience and Innovation Officer, Carnival Corporation (‘Innovation, Key to the Future’). Padgett is responsible for ensuring that the largest cruise company in the world creates 
experiences that exceed guests’ needs, wants and desires. He creates original game-changing experiences through the fusion of creativity, technology and operations, all centered on the guests. He is the brain behind “Ocean Medallion,” a wearable technology device that allows guests to experience every aspect of the ship while on a cruise, without having to present a card or cash. Padgett’s span of operations includes Carnival Corporation cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Australia and P&O Cruises. Padgett is also one of the innovators of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts projects, including the invention, development and implementation of many guest experiences, particularly ‘MagicBands,’ ‘FastPass,’ ‘Be Our Guest Restaurant’ and ‘Disney’s Magical Express.’
Riho Kurg, head of Product, Cybernetica, another international speaker at this year’s GB Tech Summit, will give a special presentation on e-government digitization reform, the Estonian model. A very important topic, as the Government of The Bahamas seeks to bring to full fruition e-government.
The second annual Grand Bahama Technology Summit will be held under the theme, ‘The Future is Now.’
Press Release: BIS
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
