Technology, financial predictions, the maritime industry and entertainment are some of the key areas that will be tackled at this year's Bahamas Business Outlook (BBO).
The one-day conference now in its 21st year of existence is an initiative hosted by The Counsellors Ltd.
Counsellors president and BBO's chief organizer, Joan Albury, shared with Guardian Business yesterday that this year's seminar, under the theme, "Vision Beyond Sight: How ready is The Bahamas to do 21st Century Business", will feature 11 presentations from experts in their respective fields.
"We are confident that there is something here for everybody. These speakers will tackle topics from tourism to technology, energy to entertainment, from finance to forecasts about the economic future of our country," Albury shared.
"No doubt, these new speakers will add fresh, new perspectives to some key issues which challenge our country today. Given the long recession and its global impact, vision is essential if we are to climb out of it with the ability to continue our development."
Speaking on the country's vision is partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Gowon Bowe.
Bowe gave Guardian Business a sneak peek into his presentation.
"As a young Bahamian, looking at what we want to be in the future is very important, especially one with young children. Starting to think about what my vision is for The Bahamas, immediately I reflected on whether an actual vision was properly laid out," he noted.
"In my mind, there hasn't been one within the last 40 years. Since then, have we done anything to enhance it. I believe it is pertinent to think about the 21st century going forward, as we are now more than 10 years into it. We also need to start thinking of how we want to define The Bahamas locally along with our international counterparts."
One reason for this, Bowe said, is Bahamian governments have not clearly defined an economic stance for the country.
"In most world economies, governments are clear as to whether they are capitalists or socialists. In The Bahamas, when you look at major political parties you tend to find them trying to be both, as opposed to choosing one," Bowe explained.
"On one hand, we want economic diversification and on the other, Bahamian governments want to be able to assist residents with benefits. There must be a stand on what a country's economic policy is. Then a course needs to be charted behind it. If we don't have a vision of where we want to go, how will we even know if we have arrived."
Local entertainer, Fred Ferguson is also one of Thursday's featured speakers.
"With The Bahamas being a tourism driven nation, it is almost a given that the country's entertainment sector should play a very important part of our growth and development," he said.
"Over the years, we have not done what we should have to develop the industry. Entertainment can be a very powerful thing. "
Other presentations include State Finance Minister Zhivargo Laing with the keynote address, Tourism and Aviation Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace on "Looking Around the Corner", Astrid Wynter, the country's IDB representative on "Sustainable Partnerships for the Future" and Brian Moree, QC is presenting on "The Financial Services: A Wilderness Experience or Time to Enter the 'Promised Land'".
BBO takes place this Thursday at the Wyndham Nassau Resort from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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