(EDITOR’S NOTE: At the onset, let me state that I was reluctant to share this, but I am doing so for a very good reason. I have been trying unsuccessfully over the past six months to convince the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to advertise in my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, and even went to the extent of mentioning the fact that the late Edward St. George, who is hugely responsible for the tremendous success the GBPA has had over the past three decades, was a very close and dear friend, but apparently “sucking-up” does not seem to work with Sarah St. George and Ian Rolle, who appear to be the two major decision-makers at the GAPA.
However, when I saw this very professional GPBA public relations presentation, I fully understood why they do not think it is necessary to advertise with outside entities. It is undoubtedly a very well-done presentation by the GBPA Public Relations Department. If it appears as if I am “sucking up” again, that would be an accurate conclusion, but it is nonetheless true that the GBPA seem to have a very effective Public Relations team.
Of course, there is a remote possibility that I may be partially responsible for this fact, considering that the Public Relations Team at the GPBA, I have been told, is headed by Kimberly Miller, my former stepdaughter. Although Kimberly is a graduate in her chosen profession from Dillard University in New Orleans, I would like to think that she developed some of her public relations acumen by interacting with me regularly on matters relating to public relations during the years I was married to her mother, Dr. Jean Turnquest.
OK, that’s enough “sucking-up”. I certainly hope that Sarah St. George and Ian Rolle appreciate how far I am prepared to go to convince them that they should still advertise in BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, despite what appears to be a very effective public relations in-house vehicle.”
FOLLOWING ARE THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS OF GBPA PROMOTIONAL ARTICLE, THE FULL DISPLAY OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN BY CLICKING ON THE BAHAMAS CHRONICLE LINK:
Friday 5th April marked the closing of two intense days of battle between Judges and Gladiators of GBPAs Capital Arena Initiative, a grant funding program created by The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) in January 2017, as a small business development initiative of its Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau (IGBSBB).
Now in its second year, Cohort II launched in early January, opened to existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The deadline for submission of proposals was February 28th, 2019. As explained by Ian Rolle, President of GBPA, entries for Cohort II were double that of last year.
“I am advised that this year we received nearly 100 submissions, which featured several unique, innovative and sustainable business ideas,” cited Rolle. “Personally, the number of millennials that submitted, and the types of businesses they introduced were very impressive. If we can provide opportunities for this generation of entrepreneurs, I believe they can help chart a bright future for Freeport.” Rolle continued.
Only 18 Gladiators (semi-finalists) advanced to Round II Judging for ‘In-Persons Presentations’, where they faced a panel of 4 Judges, each knowledgeable in key areas including Technology, Innovation, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Operations and overall Business Strategy. https://media.gbpa.com/2019/04/12/gbpa-host-successful-capital-arena-and-prepares-to-announce-cohort-ii-winners/?fbclid=IwAR2ugPUVL_Di0ubxiGOV6PFZnOTVISSegcBx4cg4LToBJULctUUNRzo3DPo
