FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - August 23, 2018 – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has launched a series of Icebreaker events across the state of Florida, to introduce its brand new Florida Sales and Marketing force to the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel community within the state (the country’s nearest U.S. neighbor).
At the recent event hosted to draw travel professionals from both Dade and Broward, newly appointed Director for Marketing, Florida, Mrs. Betty Bethel-Moss, told those in attendance, “While technology is the most relevant platform from which to conduct business in our industry, we feel that the intimate Mix and Mingle gathering is the ideal forum to begin conversations that will lead to sustainable relationships and partnerships.”
The Florida Marketing Director also told attendees that “The newly assembled Florida sales team is excited about the opportunity to quickly engage the travel and business communities along with media and influencers, to explore opportunities for The Islands Of The Bahamas.”
The Mix and Mingle events, while serving as an Icebreaker to introduce the new Florida Marketing Team, were organized with a view to bringing together Bahamas Ministry of Tourism partners from the various segments of the industry, including Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hoteliers, Ground Tour Operators, partners from the Bahamas Cruise and Airline Industry, local influencers, as well as the media.
Giving a brief presentation at one of the recent events, District Marketing Manager Tina Lee openly asked for the support of the partners in attendance, “We want to ensure that whatever we do is measurable, has the right blend of partners, sellers or bookers of travel, and that we are hitting all the consumer touch points before, during and after these initiatives,” the District Manager said.
The District Manager also said that her team has identified a series of events, “that speak to Floridians - lifestyle, recreational, art shows, marathons – events that have the demographics we are looking for, to really go out there and make our presence known.”
She added that “we are looking at Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, to name a few, in addition to mall dominations in several key malls in Florida. We are also working on a program with Kalik (Bahamian brewed beer) currently on the shelves of Publix and Total Wines locally.”
In addition to Director Bethel-Moss and District Manager Lee, other members of the Florida team include Adrian Kemp and Phylia Shivers, Sr. Marketing Representatives, both fluent in the Spanish language and Elke Pettiford, Marketing Representative, who serves as the groups Inside Sales Coordinator.
Bahamas updates shared with those in attendance included new hotel developments and the renaissance of the Nassau Cable Beach area, with the completed opening of the Baha Mar Resorts featuring the Caribbean’s largest casino and the largest convention center within the three luxury brand properties, the Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood.
To date, the Mix N Mingles have taken place at the Village at Gulfstream Park, Hallendale Beach, Florida and aboard the Bahamas Paradise Cruise, Grand Classica, docked at the Port of Palm Beach. The final mixer will take place at the Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, Florida.
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation's Sales Team with Prize Winners at Icebreaker Mix N Mingle. L-R Tina Lee, BMOTA District Manager; Julie Williams, First in Travel Service, winner of Cruise aboard FRS to Bimini; Phylia Shivers, BMOTA Sr. Marketing Representative; Janet Miller, The Travel Gallery, winner of trip on Belearia Caribbean to Freeport, Grand Bahama ; Adrian Kemp, BMOTA Sr. Marketing Representative; Mae Strutt, Air Cruise Savings, winner of Cruise to Grand Bahama on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Betty Bethel, BMOTA Director, Marketing, Florida.
Bahamas Mix N Mingle West Palm Beach aboard Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line - Bahamas Team with Bahamas Hospitality Industry Partners
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Icebreaker Mix N Mingle - L-R - Peter Rose, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line; Felonice Merriman, Palm Beach Parenting Magazine; Anita Richards-Finley, Boomer Times Radio and Magazine and Anita Johnson-Patty, BMOTA General Manager, Global Communications.