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BAHAMAS: ‘Our Future Success Must Be In Innovation and Technology’

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#Bahamas, November 10, 2017 – Grand Bahama – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson says that Grand Bahama remains high on the government’s agenda, and the launch of the first ever Technology Summit on GB is evidence of such a commitment.

During his welcome remarks at the first Tech Summit at Grand Lucayan resort on Thursday, November 9, 2017, Minister Thompson said that one of the promises in the Free National Movement’s Manifesto was to make Grand Bahama a Technology Hub, similar to Silicon Valley.   Minister Thompson admitted that when the idea for hosting a Technology Summit first came about, he had no idea what a Technology Hub was or what it meant.

“However, I believed in our Prime Minister’s vision for Grand Bahama,” said Minister Thompson.   “It didn’t take me long to realize that the technology industry is the way forward for our country and that Grand Bahama is ideally-suited for its development.

“While our past success has been in industry, our future success must be in innovation and technology.   We recognize the importance of tourism in Grand Bahama, but I believe that today is a new day for Grand Bahama.   Today, I believe that we can re-brand Grand Bahama.   Today we cease to be the capital for industry; now Grand Bahama will be a place for industry and innovation.”

Minister Thompson asked those attending the summit’s official opening how can Grand Bahama get to the point of becoming a Technology Hub?

“How do we let the world know that we are open for business?  This is why we are here today:  Our government must shape the right policies and provide the right incentives and remove all obstacles in order to nurture and grow the tech industry.”

The Minister of State for Grand Bahama confessed that the idea for a Tech Summit started as a small conference for industry stakeholders to shape policy. However, he noted that the more they talked about it and the more word about a proposed small tech conference got out, the more Grand Bahamians began to believe in the idea.

“So today… we have over 450 people registered for this first ever Technology Summit,” said Minister Thompson.  “We have people from the United States, Canada and as far away as Africa.

“Back then, when we were planning just a small summit, we joked about the possibility of getting some people from Silicon Valley to come and talk with us here in Freeport.   We even joked about getting some people from Google and Microsoft.   But during this conference you will hear from people from Silicon Valley, from Google, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and others.

“Say what you will about the state of the economy of our island, the leaders and the giants in the technology world, have not just come to The Bahamas, they have come to Grand Bahama.”

Minister Thompson noted that in addition to inviting tech companies to come to Grand Bahama, the Government of The Bahamas must also provide opportunities for tech business entrepreneurs.   In order to achieve that, a part of the two-day Tech Summit will be what is called a ‘Blue Marlin Challenge,’ where Bahamian tech business entrepreneurs will make their business pitch to representatives from Google, Microsoft and to Silicon Valley experts.

Those who are successful will be awarded a $10,000 prize from the government to assist with the startup of their proposed business.

“This is only just the start,” added the Minister.   “Our Grant Program will also continue next month… with our micro and small business economic empowerment program.    Our sponsors will be providing the winner of the Blue Marlin Challenge, courtesy of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, [with] one-year business license exemption.

“So, who knows, after these pitches have been made, maybe Google or Microsoft will partner with a Bahamian to make their business idea a reality in Grand Bahama.   It is a new beginning for Grand Bahama — and this is just the beginning!”   Minister Thompson called on all technology companies, or those interested in starting a tech company, to set up shop in Grand Bahama.

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Photo Caption:  Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson welcomed delegates to the first ever Grand Bahama Technology Summit, which opened on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Grand Lucayan resort. Minister Thompson and his office were the force behind making the Tech Summit a reality. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

 

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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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