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Minister Thompson says Grand Bahamians Must Become Business Innovators

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#Bahamas, September 29, 2017 – Grand Bahama – In wake of powerful hurricanes, Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson says The Bahamas is learning a very painful lesson on why the economy must be diversified.   Tourism alone, he said, is not enough.

In opening the first Business-to-Business Expo at Pelican Bay resort on Thursday morning, Minister Thompson said that his office was mandated to focus on the economic revitalization of Grand Bahama and the Expo aligns with fulfilling that task, which he hopes will generate much needed growth within Grand Bahama’s broken economy.

“The Government has a focused strategy to improve our economy here in Grand Bahama,” said Minister Thompson.   “But we are painfully aware of our current state of affairs here in Grand Bahama.   Therefore we must ensure that local businesses and entrepreneurs are in a position to provide the ancillary services to our anchor companies within the Industrial sector.  And that’s what a forum like this Business-to-business Expo is all about.”

The Minister for Grand Bahama told Expo attendees that the revitalization of Grand Bahama will require a pluralistic approach, a part of which will include focusing on some big matters – like the opening and redevelopment of the Lucayan Strip, or focusing on iconic properties like Xanadu and Royal Oasis.   These, he said, are being aggressively pursued.

He said it will also require improving Grand Bahama’s means of doing business, as well as actively marketing Grand Bahama as a place to do business in the technology industry.   He noted that the focus will now have to be on not just tourism, but on maritime and manufacturing.

“This seminar is only one component in our overall strategy,” said Minister Thompson.   “So, while we want new businesses to come to Grand Bahama, we also want to ensure that businesses are able to take advantage of every opportunity that already exist here in Grand Bahama.

Opens expo“I want all of these anchor businesses and industrial companies to fulfill their duty, by ensuring that they indeed use the businesses that are represented in this room.   If a Grand Bahama business or entrepreneur can provide the service at a reasonable price, give them the contract.

“Today is not the end, but the beginning, as we shall be following up, fully expecting and demanding that wherever possible, local businesses be provided with the opportunity.   This has to be a continual dialogue.   This exercise must also be results driven and the results must be that more Grand Bahamians are given opportunities in Grand Bahama.”

Minister Thompson pointed out that the success of the inaugural Expo had nothing to do with the number of people who showed up, but rather would depend upon how many local businesses benefit from the Expo.

He challenged all of the business owners and representatives in the room that within six months there should be at least an additional five businesses that received additional opportunity as a result of what was done at the Expo.

“The Government’s role is that we are committed to making it easier for businesses to do business,” Minister Thompson added.   “The government is also committed to making it easier to be able to partner with international persons in order to make your business successful.

“So, I encourage all of you to be innovative in your approach to doing business.   The sad thing is, we in Grand Bahama can no longer expect that an opportunity is going to drop in our laps.   We live on an island that demands that opportunities sometimes have to be created. So, be creative, be innovative, take initiative, adjust yourself, find a problem to solve and if you do that, you will find a new business, which you can open and be successful.

“We are moving towards an era of entrepreneurship, ownership, partnership and civic engagement. As we continue to work towards making Grand Bahama the center for industry and innovation and the industrial hub it is destined to be, it is important that we embrace new ways of doing business.”

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Photo Captions:  OPENS EXPO – Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of The Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson was the keynote speaker at the official opening of the first Business-to-Business Expo at Pelican Point resort on Thursday, September 28, 2017.  The concept of the Business-to-Business Expo was born in the Office of the Prime Minister in Grand Bahama.  (BIS Photo)

ASKING A QUESTION – Senator Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama asks a question of a panel of executives from the Grand Bahama Shipyard, during question and answer period of the Business-to-Business Expo, Pelican Bay Resort on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

(BIS Photo)

 

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

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.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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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!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

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.

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