An unexpecting member of the Housekeeping Department and a devoted reservations employee, who worked her way up to management, walked away with the coveted titles of Pelican Bay Hotel Employee of the Year and Supervisor of the Year for 2023 during the property’s Annual Holiday Staff Party on January 13.

Pelican Bay, an 186-room hotel that sits on Bell Channel Bay adjacent to Port Lucaya Marketplace, annually holds its staff party and staff recognitions after the holiday season. The honours culminated in a night of celebration in the hotel’s ballroom as management recognized employees after a successful 2023.

Pelican Bay General Manager Magnus Alnebeck said the amazing staff members are who make the hotel experience for their guests, setting the brand apart from others on the island.

“At Pelican Bay, we like to recognize staff/supervisors and managers, who have the right attitude and display a sense of caring and motivation, and exemplify our Pelican Bay philosophy of being the happiest hotel in Grand Bahama,” Alnebeck said while speaking about the importance of celebrating the hotel's incredible staff.

“I would like to congratulate the persons that we recognized, but also every employee at Pelican Bay, who are the reason that Pelican Bay is the hotel it is. It would not work without the staff energy that rubs off on colleagues, guests and others in the community.”

T’Neasher Davis works in the Housekeeping Department as a room attendant had almost missed her name being called for the prestigious honor, but said she was overcome with joy once she realized her hard work had been recognized.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all because I also got employee of the month,” Davis said. “So, I figured I had already received that award and there’s no way I would receive employee of the year. So, I began walking to grab a quick beverage, but then all of a sudden, I heard my co-workers shouting, “T-Neasher, it’s you.”

“It was so surprising, I was speechless. I almost fell.”

Overall, for her, Davis said it’s an honor she will never forget.

“I simply do my job,” the mother of three said. “I love my job. I abide by the rules, I get the job done, but I also just try to do my absolute best at all times. Receiving the award felt great. I felt really appreciated and celebrated.”

Reservations Supervisor Brittany Curry has been with the company for six years and took home Supervisor of the Year.

“I was very shocked and surprised, but I do feel that I’m deserving of it because we work very hard in that department,” Curry said. “I deal with all functions, events, planning, etc. So, this could mean weddings, ceremonies, parties, the full thing.”

Prior to becoming a reservations supervisor, Curry worked as front desk agent at the hotel. She said working her way up required a lot of hard work and belief in doing one’s best on the job.

“It’s just putting your best foot forward with everything that you do,” she said. “The customer’s satisfaction is important, but just the knowing the fact that you’re giving 100 percent every day.”

Operations Manager Della Bridgewater was pleased to be on hand to give out this year's awards. “Our awardees were really deserving of the honor,” Bridgewater said. “They worked hard all year and continued to show up for our guests. We have always been very proud of the fact that we are a very personable hotel, where the experience is very authentic. That is something that is well-received by all of the guests who come here.”

An unexpecting member of the Housekeeping Department and a devoted reservations employee, who worked her way up to management, walked away with the coveted titles of Pelican Bay Hotel Employee of the Year and Supervisor of the Year for 2023 during the property’s Annual Holiday Staff Party on January 13. Pelican Bay, an 186-room hotel that sits on Bell Channel Bay adjacent to Port Lucaya Marketplace, annually holds its staff party and staff recognitions after the holiday season. The honours culminated in a night of celebration in the hotel’s ballroom as management recognized employees after a successful 2023. Pelican Bay General Manager Magnus Alnebeck said the amazing staff members are who make the hotel experience for their guests, setting the brand apart from others on the island. “At Pelican Bay, we like to recognize staff/supervisors and managers, who have the right attitude and display a sense of caring and motivation, and exemplify our Pelican Bay philosophy of being the happiest hotel in Grand Bahama,” Alnebeck said while speaking about the importance of celebrating the hotel's incredible staff. “I would like to congratulate the persons that we recognized, but also every employee at Pelican Bay, who are the reason that Pelican Bay is the hotel it is. It would not work without the staff energy that rubs off on colleagues, guests and others in the community.” T’Neasher Davis works in the Housekeeping Department as a room attendant had almost missed her name being called for the prestigious honor, but said she was overcome with joy once she realized her hard work had been recognized. “I wasn’t expecting it at all because I also got employee of the month,” Davis said. “So, I figured I had already received that award and there’s no way I would receive employee of the year. So, I began walking to grab a quick beverage, but then all of a sudden, I heard my co-workers shouting, “T-Neasher, it’s you.” “It was so surprising, I was speechless. I almost fell.” Overall, for her, Davis said it’s an honor she will never forget. “I simply do my job,” the mother of three said. “I love my job. I abide by the rules, I get the job done, but I also just try to do my absolute best at all times. Receiving the award felt great. I felt really appreciated and celebrated.” Reservations Supervisor Brittany Curry has been with the company for six years and took home Supervisor of the Year. “I was very shocked and surprised, but I do feel that I’m deserving of it because we work very hard in that department,” Curry said. “I deal with all functions, events, planning, etc. So, this could mean weddings, ceremonies, parties, the full thing.” Prior to becoming a reservations supervisor, Curry worked as front desk agent at the hotel. She said working her way up required a lot of hard work and belief in doing one’s best on the job. “It’s just putting your best foot forward with everything that you do,” she said. “The customer’s satisfaction is important, but just the knowing the fact that you’re giving 100 percent every day.” Operations Manager Della Bridgewater was pleased to be on hand to give out this year's awards. “Our awardees were really deserving of the honor,” Bridgewater said. “They worked hard all year and continued to show up for our guests. We have always been very proud of the fact that we are a very personable hotel, where the experience is very authentic. That is something that is well-received by all of the guests who come here.”

Customers located in the Eastern Road and Johnson Road corridors have experienced a landline, mobile, and internet outage due to trenching which led to BTC’s fiber being cut by another utility provider.

Director of Technical Operations, Drexel Woods said, “We noticed that our services were abruptly interrupted on Sunday and following investigations, it was determined that our underground fiber was cut by another utility provider that was trenching in the Eastern Road area. Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather, and safety concerns for our technicians, we could not complete repairs on Monday. Our teams are still working on repairing the fiber, and we anticipate that customers will begin to be restored today.”

BTC apologizes to customers for the inconvenience and is urging the utilities regulator to investigate this matter to fully understand what happened to reduce similar occurrences.

Customers located in the Eastern Road and Johnson Road corridors have experienced a landline, mobile, and internet outage due to trenching which led to BTC’s fiber being cut by another utility provider. Director of Technical Operations, Drexel Woods said, “We noticed that our services were abruptly interrupted on Sunday and following investigations, it was determined that our underground fiber was cut by another utility provider that was trenching in the Eastern Road area. Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather, and safety concerns for our technicians, we could not complete repairs on Monday. Our teams are still working on repairing the fiber, and we anticipate that customers will begin to be restored today.” BTC apologizes to customers for the inconvenience and is urging the utilities regulator to investigate this matter to fully understand what happened to reduce similar occurrences.

The Carmichael Road area has long been dubbed “City 2000” due to the massive population shift to that fast-growing community.

In this vein, Bahamasair has decided to open its City Ticket Office (CTO) to accommodate that growing residential and commercial area.

The grand opening took place on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the new office spaces in the Southwest Plaza  -- relocation from the Palmdale area.

Director of Aviation and Deputy Director-General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer, underscored the importance of relocating Bahamasair’s ticket office to the southwestern area of New Providence Island.

“Bahamasair continues to prove to be one of our greatest assets. I assure you of our support and that of the Deputy Prime Minister (the Hon. Chester Cooper),” he said, while also stating that the move is aligned with some of the big-ticket items reflected in the National Aviation Strategic Plan.

One is, strengthening financial resilience by innovating Bahamasair’s business model, growing existing markets, and exploring new routes to underserved and emerging markets. More so, it speaks to the airline pursuing additional sources of revenue and lessening its dependence on the public purse to fund operations.

Two, operational efficiency to which Dr. Romer noted that Bahamasair has been enhancing its strategic planning exercises to ensure a leaner and more efficient operation.

He added that the recent partnership with Qatar Airways, through a consultative exchange, would undertake a comprehensive overview of all aspects of operations and develop a business plan that will become the model for the region.

Another area is that of service excellence – people are at the center of what is being done at Bahamasair

“Nobody could do it like Bahamians and nobody does it better than Bahamasair,” said Dr. Romer who also acknowledged that, “We must explore ways to do it better and be better, by putting a greater emphasis on customer satellite satisfaction and the urgency in resolving problems that will arise.  Customers must remain the priority, alongside safety.”

A final plan is enhancing human capital development. According to Dr. Romer, “Bahamasair will play an integral role in advancing our strategy to develop existing and emerging aviators, succession planning, advancing the role of women, and creating a system of mentorship that includes using retired professionals as mentors.”

Tracy Cooper, Managing Director of Bahamasair Holdings Ltd., shed light on the decision-making process in the relocation of the CTO.

"The decision to relocate the CTO from Palmdale to Carmichael Road was a very careful and deliberate consideration," he said. "One of the key factors in the decision was to ensure that our new location would not only cater to the business community but also provide a convenient and accessible service point for our valued residents."

Added Cooper, "In that regard, Carmichael Road often referred to as City 2000, emerged as the ideal choice – offering a host of amenities and the perfect alignment with the needs of Bahamasair.”

This he said also reflects Bahamasair’s commitment to provide its customers with top-notch service in a welcoming and accessible environment.

“We firmly that this new CTO will not only serve as the gateway to our exceptional airline services but also as a symbol of our dedication to enhancing the travel experience for everyone in The Bahamas," Cooper added.

He thanked the team of Bahamasair, including the 15 staff members at the Carmichael location for their dedication to the airline and what it means to the country according to its slogan “We don’t just fly there, we live there…”

Also participating in the ceremony were retiree Wilfred Williams with the opening prayer; remarks by Tanya Pratt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bahamasair; Vote of Thanks by Samantha Lookie, Director of Commercial, Sales, and Marketing; Ribbon Cutting by Wilfred Williams – president Bahamasair Retirees Association, and Blessing of the Building by Apostle Raymond Wells. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band provided entertainment.

The Carmichael Road area has long been dubbed “City 2000” due to the massive population shift to that fast-growing community. In this vein, Bahamasair has decided to open its City Ticket Office (CTO) to accommodate that growing residential and commercial area. The grand opening took place on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the new office spaces in the Southwest Plaza  -- relocation from the Palmdale area. Director of Aviation and Deputy Director-General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer, underscored the importance of relocating Bahamasair’s ticket office to the southwestern area of New Providence Island. “Bahamasair continues to prove to be one of our greatest assets. I assure you of our support and that of the Deputy Prime Minister (the Hon. Chester Cooper),” he said, while also stating that the move is aligned with some of the big-ticket items reflected in the National Aviation Strategic Plan. One is, strengthening financial resilience by innovating Bahamasair’s business model, growing existing markets, and exploring new routes to underserved and emerging markets. More so, it speaks to the airline pursuing additional sources of revenue and lessening its dependence on the public purse to fund operations. Two, operational efficiency to which Dr. Romer noted that Bahamasair has been enhancing its strategic planning exercises to ensure a leaner and more efficient operation. He added that the recent partnership with Qatar Airways, through a consultative exchange, would undertake a comprehensive overview of all aspects of operations and develop a business plan that will become the model for the region. Another area is that of service excellence – people are at the center of what is being done at Bahamasair “Nobody could do it like Bahamians and nobody does it better than Bahamasair,” said Dr. Romer who also acknowledged that, “We must explore ways to do it better and be better, by putting a greater emphasis on customer satellite satisfaction and the urgency in resolving problems that will arise.  Customers must remain the priority, alongside safety.” A final plan is enhancing human capital development. According to Dr. Romer, “Bahamasair will play an integral role in advancing our strategy to develop existing and emerging aviators, succession planning, advancing the role of women, and creating a system of mentorship that includes using retired professionals as mentors.” Tracy Cooper, Managing Director of Bahamasair Holdings Ltd., shed light on the decision-making process in the relocation of the CTO. "The decision to relocate the CTO from Palmdale to Carmichael Road was a very careful and deliberate consideration," he said. "One of the key factors in the decision was to ensure that our new location would not only cater to the business community but also provide a convenient and accessible service point for our valued residents." Added Cooper, "In that regard, Carmichael Road often referred to as City 2000, emerged as the ideal choice – offering a host of amenities and the perfect alignment with the needs of Bahamasair.” This he said also reflects Bahamasair’s commitment to provide its customers with top-notch service in a welcoming and accessible environment. “We firmly that this new CTO will not only serve as the gateway to our exceptional airline services but also as a symbol of our dedication to enhancing the travel experience for everyone in The Bahamas," Cooper added. He thanked the team of Bahamasair, including the 15 staff members at the Carmichael location for their dedication to the airline and what it means to the country according to its slogan “We don’t just fly there, we live there…” Also participating in the ceremony were retiree Wilfred Williams with the opening prayer; remarks by Tanya Pratt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bahamasair; Vote of Thanks by Samantha Lookie, Director of Commercial, Sales, and Marketing; Ribbon Cutting by Wilfred Williams – president Bahamasair Retirees Association, and Blessing of the Building by Apostle Raymond Wells. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band provided entertainment.

CIBC FirstCaribbean yesterday unveiled its rebranded regional bank, CIBC Caribbean, promising it is not just a “cosmetic change but a strategic move to position ourselves as a modern, forward-thinking institution.”

Speaking during the evening ceremony at the bank’s Barbados-based head office, Chief Executive Officer Mark St. Hill said the decision to rebrand “reflects our dedication to adapt and evolve with the needs of our clients and the dynamic landscape of the financial industry. In an era of rapid technological advancements and changing customer expectations, rebranding is not just a cosmetic change but a strategic move to position ourselves as a modern, forward-thinking institution”.

St. Hill told the audience, which included Barbados Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mia Amor Mottley, CIBC President and Chief Executive Officer, Victor Dodig, members of the diplomatic corps and scores of excited bank staff, that the bank is on the cusp of “a new era of growth, innovation, and service excellence through our rebranding initiative”.

“Our new brand identity is a testament to our heritage, symbolizing the values that have been the cornerstone of our success for the past 100 years. At the same time, it embraces a fresh, contemporary look that signifies our readiness to embrace the future. We want our clients to feel a renewed sense of confidence in our ability to meet their financial needs, coupled with the assurance that we remain rooted in the principles that have guided us since our inception,” St. Hill said.

Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the featured speaker at the event, thanked CIBC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Dodig for “having the confidence in this country to recommit in this way [for us] to be a serious part of the global brand of CIBC. It was so easy for you to choose anywhere else, but you chose Barbados, and you chose to recommit after some difficult years and that has not escaped us as government or a country. I’m sure it has not escaped your employees as well.”

“I believe that your commitment to the country was reflected not just this year with the rebranding but when your bank took the decision to come back into the domestic market and to purchase $100 million in BOSS bonds…that was a huge step of confidence,” Prime Minister Mottley said. She also praised the bank for thinking “outside the box” and being “innovative” as lead arranger and lender for the Barbados Blue Bond.

She thanked the bank’s employees as well noting that it was clear “there is an abundance of talent and genius and that this bank has tapped into it”.

The rebranding event commenced with a flag-raising ceremony conducted by members of the Barbados Cadet Corps whose smartly attired cadets unfurled 10 national flags which fluttered proudly in the evening breeze, representing the territories where the bank is located as well as that of parent company Canada, and the corporate flag.

The rebranding ceremony was punctuated with performances from the island’s leading entertainers RPB, the band Two Mile Hill as well as dancers and stilt walkers. The event concluded in dramatic fashion with the bank’s old corporate logo hovering in the night sky then slowly transitioning to the iconic new CIBC brand, to cheers from the hundreds of staff and specially invited guests.

The Prime Minister along with executives and staff members also placed items representing the bank’s milestones over the years as well as a letter from the youngest member of staff, into a time capsule to be opened in 50 years.

CIBC FirstCaribbean yesterday unveiled its rebranded regional bank, CIBC Caribbean, promising it is not just a “cosmetic change but a strategic move to position ourselves as a modern, forward-thinking institution.” Speaking during the evening ceremony at the bank’s Barbados-based head office, Chief Executive Officer Mark St. Hill said the decision to rebrand “reflects our dedication to adapt and evolve with the needs of our clients and the dynamic landscape of the financial industry. In an era of rapid technological advancements and changing customer expectations, rebranding is not just a cosmetic change but a strategic move to position ourselves as a modern, forward-thinking institution”. St. Hill told the audience, which included Barbados Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mia Amor Mottley, CIBC President and Chief Executive Officer, Victor Dodig, members of the diplomatic corps and scores of excited bank staff, that the bank is on the cusp of “a new era of growth, innovation, and service excellence through our rebranding initiative”. “Our new brand identity is a testament to our heritage, symbolizing the values that have been the cornerstone of our success for the past 100 years. At the same time, it embraces a fresh, contemporary look that signifies our readiness to embrace the future. We want our clients to feel a renewed sense of confidence in our ability to meet their financial needs, coupled with the assurance that we remain rooted in the principles that have guided us since our inception,” St. Hill said. Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the featured speaker at the event, thanked CIBC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Dodig for “having the confidence in this country to recommit in this way [for us] to be a serious part of the global brand of CIBC. It was so easy for you to choose anywhere else, but you chose Barbados, and you chose to recommit after some difficult years and that has not escaped us as government or a country. I’m sure it has not escaped your employees as well.” “I believe that your commitment to the country was reflected not just this year with the rebranding but when your bank took the decision to come back into the domestic market and to purchase $100 million in BOSS bonds…that was a huge step of confidence,” Prime Minister Mottley said. She also praised the bank for thinking “outside the box” and being “innovative” as lead arranger and lender for the Barbados Blue Bond. She thanked the bank’s employees as well noting that it was clear “there is an abundance of talent and genius and that this bank has tapped into it”. The rebranding event commenced with a flag-raising ceremony conducted by members of the Barbados Cadet Corps whose smartly attired cadets unfurled 10 national flags which fluttered proudly in the evening breeze, representing the territories where the bank is located as well as that of parent company Canada, and the corporate flag. The rebranding ceremony was punctuated with performances from the island’s leading entertainers RPB, the band Two Mile Hill as well as dancers and stilt walkers. The event concluded in dramatic fashion with the bank’s old corporate logo hovering in the night sky then slowly transitioning to the iconic new CIBC brand, to cheers from the hundreds of staff and specially invited guests. The Prime Minister along with executives and staff members also placed items representing the bank’s milestones over the years as well as a letter from the youngest member of staff, into a time capsule to be opened in 50 years.