Bahamas News
Small Businesses Will Lead Grand Bahama’s Economic Revival Says Pintard
#Bahamas, January 9, 2018 – Grand Bahama – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Michael Pintard affirmed that in spite of small scope of the economy, it is still possible to start successful businesses in Grand Bahama. He commented Thursday at a press conference to award business development assistance grants to GB Micro & Small Business Economic Empowerment Program winners.
Minister Pintard was present to witness 20 entrepreneurs receive assistance from the government to launch or continue their business enterprises. He said the best way to reboot the economy was with small businesses and, as such, the government reached out to those individuals who were motivated to succeed in the arena.
Noting that not everyone has the capacity or ability to run a business, Minister Pintard observed business people are self-motivated: “We thought it was critical to look at the creative industries, to look at technology, to look at industry, which is the driving force in Grand Bahama, and of course, Agriculture and Fisheries, in order to find the gems. Many of these people have been doing it without government’s help, in some cases, but needed additional support; and then there were others who had the vision, but lacked the required capital.”
He said the collaboration resulted in Grand Bahama’s Micro & Small Business Economic Empowerment Program, which will be launched nationally. The Minister added that in order for these small businesses to become successful, it was necessary for the owners of these businesses to have the proper training. A business plan, he pointed out, was absolutely critical.
“The simple commitment we make is this – this is the beginning of a lifelong relationship and it is our desire to work with you overtime,” said Minister Pintard. “While a number of persons would be receiving grants from the government, this is but one of many ways in which you will access resources – financial as well as technical assistance.
“There are a variety of programs that exist in the country that we would love to link you with. And there are a number of private funding agencies that we are interested in introducing you to. You will, of course, have to present the plan and make the pitch.
“But having met you and spoken with you, we know that you will do just fine. And in addition, there are number of international Funding Agencies we would love to introduce you to as well. Some are in the Caribbean and others through the United Nations system.”
Minister Pintard said that it was an honor to have an opportunity to pour just a little bit into the lives of those persons who will be in the forefront of reviving the Grand Bahamian economy.
By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)
Photo Captions:
ADDRESSING BUSINESS OWNERS – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard addressing grant winners of the Grand Bahama Micro & Small Business Economic Empowerment Program during a press conference, Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the Office of the Prime Minister. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
CONGRATULATIONS – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (left) and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Michael Pintard present potential business owner, Gabrielle McIntosh of 700 Gems Marketing, with her certificate of completion of phases one and two of Grand Bahama’s Micro & Small Business Economic Empowerment Program at a press conference, January 4, 2018. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
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.
