Bahamas News
Bacardi pledges massive support for the economic recovery of Grand Bahama Small Business Sector
#Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas – February 19, 2020 — Micro and small businesses impacted by Hurricane Dorian received positive news on Friday, January 31st that additional support is available to assist them with post-storm recovery efforts. Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), Mercy Corps International (MC), and the American Red Cross (ARC) welcomed executives of Bacardi Limited as an official supporting partner of the Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts.
The group visited Grand Bahama for a ceremonial signing and press conference, announcing the nearly $1M in support for economic recovery. The initiative is open to all small businesses affected by Hurricane Dorian, and Bacardi funding will specifically target businesses within the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“Bacardi has pledged to put close to $1M behind the relief and reconstruction plans in Grand Bahama through our partnership with Mercy Corps and the Grand Bahama Port Authority. We aim to directly support more than 40 businesses, helping them to rebuild and stand on their own two feet, and to support hundreds more with access to training,”
Mahesh Madhavan, CEO for Bacardi Limited expressed. “I’m very honored and privileged to be here speaking on behalf of Bacardi and to show our support for the people of Grand Bahama.”
The iconic global organization joins implementing partners, GBPA and Mercy Corps, on the RISE Grant Initiative which launched in early December 2019. RISE has already awarded approximately $160k in recovery grant funding to-date, and recipients will also receive a training programme and access to Mercy Corps’ pioneering mentorship platform, MicroMentor.
Thanks to the contribution from Bacardi and others, the initiative can now support 200 business owners, doubling the original target.
“We welcome Bacardi as a new partner of the RISE programme with a specific focus on supporting businesses in the hospitality and food and beverage sectors. Their assistance will buttress an industry vertical in which we foresee significant new foreign direct investment over the coming months, and one in which we forecast sustained growth in the medium term,” cited GBPA Director, Henry St. George.
“We are all so very grateful to have Bacardi on board; their generosity will make a really meaningful impact on the revitalization of Grand Bahama’s economy.”
The partners spent time discussing the needs of the small business sector with a group of successful grant applicants including Stephanie Ferguson, president, and Buffie Dorset, partner at Phoenix Brokerage & Shipping; Sherica Smith Pinder, co-owner of Shabo’s Conch Salad; Charles Wayne Hall, owner of Local Organics and Capt. Patrick Cartwright owner– Triple-A Boatcare & Maintenance. Mr. Madhavan shared the story of family-owned Bacardi and offered encouragement and hope to the group of entrepreneurs.
The initiative provides grants of up to $10,000 in business recovery funding for eligible businesses. Cohort III is now in process and accepting applications; the deadline to submit for this round is noon on Friday, 7th February. Partners encourage businesses across Grand Bahama that fit the selection criteria, to apply at www.risegbpa.com.
“We’re excited to be teaming up with such talented partners to support the recovery of communities and small business owners in Grand Bahama,” explained Michael Bowers, Vice President Humanitarian Leadership for Mercy Corps.
“Working together, we believe we can connect small business owners to the tools and resources they need to rebuild and grow,” he concluded.
PRESS RELEASE: GBPA
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.
