Freeport, Grand Bahama - Pineridge Small Business Empowerment Initiative will be held on the 10^th January to 12^th January, 2011 at the Calvary Temple Youth Chapel facilities between the hours of 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The Pineridge Small Business Initiative was started sometime in August, 2010 with an empowerment workshop which assisted Pineridge residents who are business owners or persons interested in starting their own business. The participants were educated in accounting techniques, given free legal advice and marketing skills...

Freeport, Grand Bahama - The Annual General Meeting of The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. at Ruby Swiss Restaurant. Election of Officers & Directors for the 2010/2011 Administrative Year will be held during the Meeting.

Join Chamber members as together we build a better business community. See attached Nomination Form.

Make your vote count.  Nominations will be accepted from the floor.  Only paid up members will be eligible to run for office...

Freeport, Bahamas - Its the Grand Bahama Chamber Of Commerce 3rd Annual Business Excellence Awards Night ~ coming this November!

We all know of someone in business who continues to give excellent service, even during these challenging economic times.  Why not take a minute to recognize these special persons with your nomination.   Deadline for nominations is November 5, 2010.  Self nomination is permitted.  The Business Excellence Recognition Awards Ceremony will be held on November 20, 2010 at the Our Lucaya Ballroom.

Attached is a nomination form...

Freeport, Bahamas - The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Bahamas Independence Celebrations Committee will hold an Independence Celebration Window Display Competition during the month of July.  In the spirit of our nation, the committee has chosen the theme “Celebrating Independence through the Eyes of Our Youth”, for this 37^th Anniversary of Independence.  

Deadline for entry is July 5, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.   Judging will be done on July 9^th between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  This year’s winner will receive a handsomely made floating trophy which may be displayed in the winning establishment until the next year’s event.  Attached for easy reference is the required Entry Form.  Kindly return it to us via email, fax, or you may drop it off to our office which is situated on the Mall Drive. ..

Freeport, Bahamas - As a part of our firm commitment to continue to provide you value and increased benefits as a member of The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to advised that The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with BECON to launch a much anticipated workshop on “Understanding The Employment Act”

The one (1) day workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in the Convention Centre at the Freeport Harbour and will be facilitated by Mr. Brian Nutt, president of The Bahamas Employers Confederation. The cost is $125.00 per attendee (Chamber members), $135.00 (Non-Members) and their employees upon early registration...

The Freeport News - Bahamians should be given first preference for job opportunities as employers often try to justify the employment terms and wages of undocumented workers, said Peter Turnquest President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC).

Turnquest was one of the featured speakers at a recent Department of Immigration seminar and brought remarks on the department's pivotal role in the economy.

The head of the business community noted that the Immigration Department has to ensure that wherever possible Bahamians are given the "first crack at the wheel" of economic opportunity and that those that are imported or come illegally, bring a particular skill that can be transferred or will help to build the overall complement of goods and services the country has to offer...

The Freeport News - The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) is urging the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) to reconsider its decision to pass on its temporary increased operating cost to the public, in consideration of the continued tough economic times in Grand Bahama.

In a statement released yesterday, GBCC president K. Peter Turnquest said the Chamber is profoundly disappointed and frustrated by the inability of the GBPC to maintain a stable electrical supply to the island, evidenced by the unplanned electrical blackouts and load shedding over the past few weeks.

Such instability is a significant detractor to potential investors, Turnquest noted.

"One of the main considerations in attracting and retaining new investors to a destination, especially an offshore destination like ours...

Freeport, Bahamas - Local hotels are being urged to rethink their pricing strategies to facilitate the shift in visitor demographics needed to boost the island's struggling tourism industry.

Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President K. Peter Turnquest suggested this at a recent local forum, where he spoke about the closure of three hotels on the island last year.

He said although he was not aware of all the details involved in the businesses' decision, he believes that alternative measures could have been implemented in an attempt to ensure that the hoteliers did not have to close their doors.

"I feel that at least one of these hotels should have been able to survive and even pick up significant occupancy from the vast middle income market, being that it had the opportunity to provide a low to medium room rate option for tourists who would not mind not being directly on the beach front in favour of a budget room," he said...

The Freeport News - The campaign to legalize gambling is gaining momentum as Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President K. Peter Turnquest cites the benefits that move will provide not only to businesses, but consumers as well.

Legalizing the gambling industry would be the sensible thing to do, since the activity is occurring anyway, Turnquest said.

"We are all aware that this activity happens every day by significant numbers of Bahamians, so we're only fooling ourselves to say that if we legislate against it that it will not happen," he said.

"The reality is that number-houses exist, we all know where they are...

Freeport, Bahamas - The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is extremely pleased to learn of the settlement announced today to end all litigation regarding the ownership of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited and its affiliated companies.  We expect that this result will signal the return to stability at that institution and will cause a return of investor confidence to our island.  Now that the basic principal of ownership has been agreed, we hope that the Board of Directors will shortly fill the position of Executive Chairman and that we will see a renewed and coordinated partnership between the beneficiaries, the Government and the business community of Grand Bahama to continue the work of creating economic development opportunities and job creation for the residents of this island.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce stands ready to do its part in setting this new direction and hope that as the principals begin their unified search for a new investor for the Grand Bahama Port Authority, that they will ensure that the business community...

Freeport, Bahamas - I wish to express sincere condolences on behalf of  The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, its officers & directors and members to the families of employees who loss their lives on Monday, March 29^th during the weather system that struck at the Freeport Container Port.   

We recognize that the lives lost during this recent incident are a great loss to family members, friends, colleagues, our community and future nation building.  We know, too, that your sorrows are very great at this time, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.