Given the propensity of individuals or companies to feed off the popularity of an established event, the Local Organizing Committee of the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 (LOC) is protecting its brand fiercely as the event rapidly approaches.

The two-day athletics meet is set for this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, at the 15,000-seat Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, and about 1,000 athletes, coaches and officials from up to 50 countries are set to take part. According to legal advisor for the LOC Drumeco Archer, the threat of "ambush marketing" is real, and one that would not be taken lightly.

"Ambush marketing, in this instance, is the deliberate attempt by an entity to associate itself with the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 in order to gain some of the benefits of being an official sponsor without incurring any of the costs of sponsorship. This normally consists of unauthorized marketing, promotional, advertising and public relations activities relating, directly or indirectly, to the event or the organization," said Archer yesterday.

"These unauthorized activities give the impression that the event organizer has endorsed the relevant goods or services. This is illegal. The general public is advised that in the following instances, ticket holders will be denied access into the stadium if clothing that is passed off to be the official branded clothing is brought into the stadium. Groups created for the purpose of ambush marketing will be stopped. Inappropriate clothing will be asked to be removed or entry into the stadium will be refused."

Archer did specify that this does not relate specifically to individual circumstances, but more so to groups of patrons where the intent is obvious. He said that it is their duty to protect the interest of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and its six international partners. Also, they have to honor their commitment to the event's title partner, their own national partners, and national suppliers and friends of this event.

"We owe an incredible amount of responsibility to our local and international sponsors," said Archer. "The public is advised that, following IAAF protocol, unauthorized vendors will be prohibited from conducting commercial activities, particularly around the venue. For example, a non-sponsor who wants to maximize their marketing exposure will attempt to provide paraphernalia.

Adidas is a sponsor of this event, but if another company, in a covert way, provides 100 T-shirts for a band of persons then obviously their hope is to eclipse the branding of Adidas. We want to discourage that kind of activity. We will not stop an individual item, but if there is a collection that appears to be overshadowing the image of a sponsor, then that has to be stopped. The event organizers reserve the right to confiscate unauthorized paraphernalia and/or commence legal action. Commercial rights will be strictly enforced."

Archer said that they have entered into a legal agreement with Bahamia for the production and distribution of various IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 paraphernalia. Thus, Bahamia is the official merchandising company of the event, selling T-shirts, shoes, caps, and plush dolls of the event's mascot Bingo just to name a few. There is a kiosk at the south western portion of the stadium, and a Bahamia store on Bay Street where the event's merchandise can be purchased.

"We wish that this event is as 'Bahamazing' as it was in the first edition, and we look forward to having a shared cooperative effort in protecting the rights of the IAAF and this event," said Archer.

As far as security is concerned, Senior Director for Security of the event James Carey said that the IAAF has vested a degree of confidence in his team, which is inclusive of police and defence force officers, to carry out their jobs effectively and to ensure the safety of the athletes, coaches, officials, IAAF executive members, VIPs, patrons, and everyone associated with the staging of this event.

"If the IAAF was not comfortable with the level of security on display, the event would never be held here in The Bahamas," said Carey. "The police has put together an extensive program for the protection of this event. Our reach has extended into the communities. At the competition venue, we're securing the stadium and conducting checks. There is a perimeter fence that encloses the stadium, and there is also inner fencing once you would have gotten inside the exterior fence. We are asking the patrons of this event to allow a significant amount of time to be checked and screened."

Carey said that the entire interior of the stadium is a no smoking one, and in addition to the prohibited list, items such as professional cameras and offensive banners will not be permitted. Also, no food or water can be brought into the stadium as there are about 30 vendors who will be selling food and there is also a food court.

Carey said that the security team reserves the right to confiscate any item that might be deemed dangerous.

"Certain things will be allowed such as small hand bags and medical items," said Carey. "There will also be special concessions for people with various disabilities. Also, a concession has been made for cowbells and whistles. The IAAF wants to capture that junkanoo spirit that was present last year. It's a unique feature with this event, and it's what makes this event so 'Bahamazing'. This event is made for TV, so we have to create that spirited atmosphere and environment. We expect and will be anticipating the full cooperation of the public in the staging of this event."

Security forces for this event are inclusive of police and defence force officers, as well as personnel from private security firms and the fire department.

The prohibited items list for this event has increased from a year ago. Items such as bottled water; weapons of any kind (knives, firearms, pocket knives, etc.); video recording equipment; narcotics; lighters; matches; laser lights and pointers; strollers; umbrellas; poles; pepper spray; containers of any kind (coolers of any size, backpacks, bottles, cans including aerosol); smoking paraphernalia; or any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate, will not be permitted.

Small hand bags, small stadium cushions, small cameras without a case and medical items, will be permitted according to the acceptable items list.

The junior segment of the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 will get underway at 5 p.m. on both days of competition, and the main show will commence at 7 p.m. each day.

With bleachers being installed just like a year ago, additional tickets are available, but they too are disappearing rapidly. Tickets can be obtained online at www.bahamasworldrelays.org or at the box office at the national stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. up until Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

There are now just three days remaining until the biggest sports spectacle to ever hit these shores makes a return to The Bahamas.

For three Swiss assistant teachers a three-week trip to The Bahamas was as much an education for them as it was for the Kingsway Academy students they encountered to complete their mandatory teacher training experience. Hilal Urkay, Eva Lutz and Anna-Nina Schaer observed and taught lessons in English to first, second and fifth grade students; they also counseled with homeroom and specialist teachers.

The program is part of the regular training for primary school teachers at Zurich University of Teacher Education. The assistant teachers have to do the training in an English-speaking country. The teachers chose to apply to Kingsway to engage in their teaching practice. It was the first time Kingsway Academy had engaged in such an exchange.

"They got to experience what we teach to our children," said Cassandra Smith, director of academy affairs at Kingsway Academy. "We were willing to accept them because we believe they bring a rich cultural exchange to our students."

One of the major lessons the Swiss teachers learned was the differences between the school systems in The Bahamas and Switzerland.

The Swiss teachers noted that Bahamian children start school at a younger age and cover more subjects than they do in Switzerland. Elementary school for Swiss children starts at the age of seven and lasts at least eight, but usually nine years. And in kindergarten, Swiss children do not learn how to read and write, but to develop their social capabilities and getting used to sitting quietly for a while and paying attention to the teacher. Children attend kindergarten for a year or two. Because they are supposed to start school at the age of seven, they go to kindergarten when they are five and six years old.

At the primary level, the Swiss also combine a lot of their subjects like health, science and social studies which for them becomes social science, as opposed to splitting it into three subjects. Language and reading for the Swiss is English as opposed to phonics, language and reading.

Switzerland claims to have one of the world's best education systems and most children go to public schools. Private schools are usually expensive and people tend to think that students of private schools probably didn't make it at the public school. Public schools include kindergarten, elementary school secondary school and university.

Prior to accepting the Swiss teaching assistants at the school, Smith said Kingsway's administration did their background check on the program and the students, and that there was discussion between both sides about the school's rules and regulation, and what the school's administration expected from the assistant teachers coming into the Christian school. Smith said the Swiss assistant teachers were prepped and were willing to comply with the school's rules and regulations.

Immersion in the school program also meant learning about the Bahamian culture. During their teaching experience, the Swiss assistant teachers participated in an off-island experience with second grade students on a field trip to Andros. After studying about the island, the students get to experience what they studied.

They visited a number of sites, including Uncle Charlie's Blue Hole, spent time at Pineville Motel and Farms where everything is all natural and they got to experience scrub boards and pigs in pen. They also visited BAMSI and saw the operation there. Urkay who was assigned to second grade and Kindergarten 5 said the experience was interesting.

"I love the idea of Andros coming up with sustainable culture of farming and planting vegetables and fruits. This makes the people able to take care of themselves," she said.

She was also delighted to see children being nice to each other in the classroom and outside during their breaks.  For Lutz the biggest cultural difference was the chattiness and friendliness of the people.

"They are supportive and very helpful," she said.

But in the beginning, she said understanding the Bahamian accent was challenging, but as she prepares to leave, she said she understands everything.

"We even know what it means when someone said they be there at eightish."

During the Andros trip, Lutz said she enjoyed seeing the blue hole and making her way through the pirate-made cave and she found it fascinating to think that pirates hid in the caves. And her favorite food was definitely fish.

Schaer, a vegetarian, got a lesson in the cuisine of The Bahamas which she said she found to be tastier than the offerings in Switzerland, although the sticker shock got to her. She particularly enjoyed plantain.

Kingsway Academy Elementary Principal Joycelyn Taylor was pleased with the cultural exchange and the opportunity for students to interact with the Swiss teaching assistants.

"As I visited their classes and observed their lessons, it was good to see the teacher-student engagement They [Swiss teachers] were pleasant and patient." She further said it was fun the watch the children study the Swiss currency and pronounce words in Swiss-German. "The children had a ball and I'm sure they will remember this experience for many years to come," said Taylor.

The Swiss teaching assistants also shared with students videos on their life in Switzerland. Second grade students Kevin Roberts and Joshua Bowe were fascinated to see the snow and the teachers showing them that student built snowmen outside their classrooms. Kevin was particularly interested in snowboarding and skiing down the mountain.

Fifth grade students raved about the songs Lutz taught them and get a kick out of saying "Guete Morge" at the start of their school day.

"She [Lutz] was very helpful and did not mind being asked so many questions," said fifth grade student Asa Butler. "I loved her accent and would love to travel to Switzerland." He said he learned that there are over 450 cheeses in Switzerland.

Stemarciae Bain giggled as she sung a catchy tune in Swiss-German. "Because Swiss children can speak three languages in elementary school, I want to focus on doing well in Spanish and then I would like to learn French a little later," she said. She added that she loved the Swiss chocolates the best.

After viewing Schaer's presentation, first grade student, Alexis Roberts decided to investigate the inside of watches to see if they were Swiss made. She was pleased to see that all the watches she inspected were indeed Swiss made. The students were also fascinated by the presentation the teaching assistants did on the transportation system of trams and trains in their country.

Another point of interest for the Bahamian students was the Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli, the Swiss guesthouse in the Swiss Alps. "Looking down would be so, so scary," said Winston Coakley.

Anatol Rodgers students Vernajh Pinder, Ameera Poitier, Dezeraye Dean and Jeanie Farrishave have much to be proud of. They are the first school outside of the United States to win the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), International Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition.

In the win, the Anatol Rodgers School students secured scholarships to study hospitality and tourism management at some of the best universities in the industry.

Each student received a scholarships valued at $57,000 tenable at the Culinary Institute of America, Sullivan University, Florida International University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, San Diego State University, Johnson & Wales University, Newbury College (Brookline Massachusetts) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

Students from around the world display their skills in a two-day competition that challenges students with situations inspired by real-world job scenarios in the hospitality industry at the annual event held in Orlando, Florida.

Besides winning scholarships, the students also won an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the American Hotels and Lodging Association Fall Conference and the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show.

This year marks the fifth year that Anatol Rodgers students Rodgers have participated in the competition. The first year the team placed fifth overall; the second year, the team was seventh overall; the third year they placed fifth; the fourth year they secured a fourth place finish and this year, they walked away as champions.

Among this year's competitors were two high schools from Florida, a school out of California, Guam, Idaho, New Hampshire, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Wyoming. Jack Hayward School out of Freeport, Grand Bahama, also had a team in the competition. The team of Ajayi Oliver, Rose Cherilus, Kendecia Woodside and coach, Gailey Williams recorded a fifth place showing.

During the HTMP competition, teams of students display their proficiency while competing in three contests -- hotel operations, hospitality project and the knowledge bowl.

In hotel operations students applied their knowledge in a three-part challenge room inspection, in which students had 10 minutes to find 10 housekeeping cleaning errors in a typical guestroom using an executive housekeeping checklist; night audit, in which teams performed financial calculations and manually posted front desk accounting information; and case studies in food and beverage, guest service and sales and marketing, in which students had 20 minutes to prepare solutions to case study scenarios.

In the hospitality project, teams demonstrated their knowledge, skills, and abilities in event planning. They were given a scenario that included budget parameters, proposal design, banquet event order, menu, and floor plan. And in the knowledge bowl, teams demonstrated their knowledge through a multi-round, question-and-answer quiz.

Janelle Cambridge-Johnson, who has been out of the classroom for approximately one year, introduced the competition to the school in 2011. A former hospitality and tourism management teacher at Anatol Rodgers, Cambridge-Johnson wanted her students exposed to the international world of hospitality and tourism management and give them an avenue to explore their talents.

Although she is no longer in the classroom, Cambridge-Johnson views this as a way to give back and regards her efforts as community service. She credited the students for their commitment to the preparation required.

"We met every Sunday from September 2014 to April 19 to ensure that they were well prepared for the competition and the sacrifice paid off," said the certified hospitality instructor.

Cambridge-Johnson said she was also happy that the students would have the opportunity to attend university.

Airport, Airline and Allied Workers Union President Nelerene Harding is questioning why the process for the separation of Bahamian employees in connection with the American Airlines/US Airways amalgamation in 2013 differed from the process followed in the United States. That process has left more than 30 Bahamians in limbo, with redundancies looming on May 1.

Harding told Guardian Business that the union is seeking to meet further with the management of American Airlines to find out why the process used in the U.S. was not followed in The Bahamas, which she argued has been an anchor for the airline.

"American has made some big profits here over the years," she said. "Over the years, their profits here have assisted destinations in the U.S. We see no reason why all these employees could not have been absorbed system-wide."

The redundancies came as a result of American's moves to integrate US Airways. In fact, American this month received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for American and US Airways, marking a major milestone in the integration of the two airlines.

Industry reports say the FAA approval caps more than 18 months of work aligning the carriers' operating policies and procedures. The move does not mean change for customers, who will continue to check in for their flights on aa.com, usairways.com, or at American or US Airways ticket counters until later this year when American moves to a single reservations system, but since American and US Airways merged in December 2013, the airline has been making steady integration progress.

Dealing with employees is a major task in that process, and the company has apparently reached five-year joint collective bargaining agreements with its pilots and flight attendants. Harding said the union still has questions.

"We're seeking further talks with American management: if the decision was made to amalgamate, why was only one group - the employees from US Airways - kept, and (the process) not (done) how it was done system-wide in the U.S., where they gave everybody until November 11 to request to be transferred over, and then it went by seniority," she said.

"They didn't do the same thing here in The Bahamas. And we're asking why."

Harding reported that union representatives met with Labour Minister Shane Gibson, Director of Labour Robert Farquharson and the employees who will be made redundant. They discussed the fact that about half the affected employees have a work schedule of 20 hours per week, but are able to "swap" and work up to 39 hours. Most of the affected employees choose to work 39 hours, the union president said.

"In seeking their redundancy payment, we're asking for those payments to be reflective of the hours that they literally worked (39 hrs), and not the hours guaranteed by the company (20 hrs)," "In addition to that, it seems as if 18 are going to go to British Airways that will continue to be employed; nine will go over to American, and 18 have decided to accept the redundancy package, so that would leave basically the mechanics, (who's positions) will be redundant in May."

Guardian Business contacted American Airlines for comment.

"Even though Envoy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the new American Airlines, it operates separately with unique seniority lists. Envoy employees affected by the integration of our operations in Nassau have been given the opportunity to apply as external hires, but since they are not American Airlines' employees they are not eligible to transfer," Laura Masvidal explained.

Masvidal is American Airlines' Communications Representative for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.