The Bahamas Hosts Media Lunch
Plantation, FL, November 13, 2017 – Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s Florida Public Relations and sales team continues to push the message that “The Bahamas is Open for Business. Come and See for Yourselves”. The global sales and marketing message, post hurricane impact, relays the fact that The Islands Of The Bahamas are fortunate and the tourism centers are operating normally and providing the experience that consumers expect and desire from an island getaway. As a part of this ongoing initiative, the team hosted a mix and mingle lunch presentation on Thursday November 9th at the Capital Grille in Fort Lauderdale, inviting a diverse group of media to attend.
This mixer, led by the PR Team, is the beginning of a series of events that the Sales and PR teams have put in place for the upcoming fiscal year. Events slated for this season will include Lunch and Learn Seminars, Seminars at Sea and Fam Trips along with Media Blitzes in the region, The mixers are designed with the purpose to strengthen media relationships.
Representatives from the BMOTA included Area Manager for Florida, Jennifer Gardiner-Bannister and her team of Sales Managers Donna Mackey and Tina Lee. The Public Relations team included Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications, Earnestine Moxyz, Manager, Global Communications and Katrice Moncur, Communications Coordinator.
Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager of Global Communications said, “We in the Bahamas were blessed to come out of this hurricane season pretty much untouched, but as media can sometimes blanket certain things, we find it necessary to let everyone know that we are a part of the Caribbean that are still ready and well equipped to welcome our visitors and we want visitors to know that The Bahamas is operating normally.”
A special guest host from Baha Mar, Karin Salinas, VP of Marketing joined the group, and gave a splendid presentation on the Luxurious new addition to the Cable Beach strip. Baha Mar, was proud to share some interesting facts about upcoming hotel openings, local staffing and plans in motion to showcase the culture and heritage of the Bahamian people.
Gardiner-Bannister applauded Baha Mar on their outstanding job of promoting the pristine destination.
“We find, many times over, that hotels do a tremendous job at promoting their property and their brand. This is the goal of advertising and marketing in any area of concentration. However, tourism and travel are unique, in that, the brand will suffer if the destination is not promoted. I am happy to see that Baha Mar gets it. They are not only selling their brand, but the destination as well’, she said.
In attendance was a colorful group of media that included, Ian Hamilton of South Florida Caribbean News, Stephen Bennett of Uncommon Caribbean, Arlene Satchell, Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Aubrie Gerber, Freelance Writer, Tom Stieghorst, Travel Weekly, Vanessa James of Vanessa James Media and Marcy Levin of Levin Communications.
The mix and mingle also allowed journalists the opportunity to speak with Bahamas team one on one, and give feedback on what their readers would like to see/hear. Ranging from cruise writers to food bloggers, each of them had a dynamic background and a different perspective, fueling the both the sales and PR team with fresh ideas. The BTO team also secured one on one interviews with USA Today, Time Out Miami, South Florida Luxury Guide and South Florida Business and Wealth.