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Beaches Turks and Caicos Celebrates International Housekeeping Week 2023

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands:   Guests who visit Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) enjoy soaking up the sun, diving or leisurely swimming in the ocean, jamming by the swim up bar or enjoying a meal at any of the 20 dining locations, there is no doubt that at the end of a full day outdoors, theywant to return to a clean and comfortable room where they can cuddle up in the warm and fragrant sheets. To celebrate the hard work and commitment of the team and the resort, the world paused to the work and worth of this team.

International Housekeeping Week was celebrated under the theme, “We’re A Mess Without You!” The Housekeeping Department of Beaches Turks and Caicos had a host of activities that were designed to inspire and even make some perspire.

Housekeeping kicked things off with praise and worship sessions on day one. One of the guest speakers of the day, Michelle Parker, village manager, delivered a succinct yet very impactful charge to the housekeepers taking the word “mess” from the theme and forming an acronym.

Housekeepers were reminded that as they execute their daily duties, they serve as messengers of positive energy and hope. She also commended them on being an exceptional team as they render service with a smile in spite of the many personal or job related challenges, noting also that they are significant.  Applause erupted from her captive audience as she declared, “you have delivered more with less.”

Jennifer Lee, executive housekeeper, when asked what she hoped to accomplish from the week’s activities, shared, “housekeeping is the nucleus of everything so this week we are setting out to celebrate the team. We want to show them just how much we value them.”

Day two highlighted the origami making skills of team members in the Champion Artist Towel Origami Battle Royale. Contestants representing each village vied for the origami championship title. They had 10 minutes to create their masterpieces. The competitions were hotly contested. At the command of “Go”, hands moved speedily with precision as towels were contorted and finessed into the desired animal, heart and floral designs. The towel origamis were accentuated by artificial or real flowers, leaves and bows. The atmosphere was rife with excitement as fellow housekeepers watched and cheered. The judges declared Ramon Russell and Phanese Cledlas of French Village the winners for the morning shift and Joy Jorquia and Genelyn Dinglasa winners for the afternoon shift.

 

Though each team set out to win, the team spirit among the housekeeping staff was evident. Everybody was laughing and having a good time with vibe master Chad Gabbidon, assistant executive housekeeping manager, on the mic.

Gabbidon’s expression of appreciation for his team was palpable. When asked what he is most thankful for during theweek of celebration, he noted, “they are the stars,” in reference to the housekeepers. “They show up and I don’t just mean their physical presence but they show up with a positive attitude.”

The Appreciation Awards began on day three and culminated on day four with a luncheon at the Key West Conference Room. It was indeed a very festive and sentimental afternoon. After Marie Prospere, supervisor, blessed the proceedings, the guests of honour (the housekeepers) were invited to dine. The entertainment segment followed. One of the hosts of the event, housekeeper, Raquel Mitchell had team members on their feet. The dance-off generated much excitement and had persons chanting their winner. The event ended with the distribution of certificates and gifts.

The energy of the week shifted gears as the housekeepers transitioned from action oriented activities to a Health and Wellness Talk on day five. Dr. Meghan Oriley was the facilitator of the presentation which covered tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The housekeepers’ appreciated the health focus as this provided an opportunity for them to learn more about possible health concerns.

Housekeeping Olympics was held on Day six. It featured events such as blindfolded bed making competition, towel fold-off, cart racing and toilette paper bowling. For the bed making competition one member of the team was blindfolded while the other gave instructions. The morning shift’s defending champion, Sherice Reece, was determined not to relinquish her title. With the help of teammate, Gabrielle Jolly, they secured the win to give the Italian Village bragging rights for yet another year.

The second place title went to Kavine Warren and Aldre Thomas from the French Village. For the afternoon shift, Winston Donaldson and Iran Mark, two housemen of the Caribbean and French Village respectively, were crowned champions of the blindfolded bed making competition. Joy Jorquia and Genelyn Dinglasa of the Key West Village placed second.

Marland Audige folded 42 towels in five minutes to secure the title of Towel Folding Champion and Claudette Jones–Hinds placed second. The public area cart racing was won byLuccene Sileus and Elsi Maesna and the winner of the toilette paper bowling competition was Gener Mondelus.

After all those intensely contested competitions, there was no better way to bring an end to the celebration than with a lime on day seven. Director of Operations Rooms Division, Ian Harris, shared that the housekeepers had a perfect week of celebration. “The schedule was well organised,” he added. “It was comprehensive as it covered the housekeeper’s spiritual life, their health and highlighted their many skills in a fun way. We also had the joy of socializing with and learning more about each other.” On the final day, the housekeeping staff were invited to unwind.  As they rocked to the beat of their favourite tunes, games were played, conversations exchanged and pockets of laughter erupted. This mellow vibe brought the curtains down on the weeklong event which celebrated the dedicated housekeeping staff of Beaches Turks and Caicos.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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