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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism hosted 38 corporate partners of the Miami Heat in The Bahamas recently in the hopes of continuing to forge stronger ties with the team and its patrons. (Pictured from l to r) Joanna Clutter, Public Relations Coordinator Kendea Smith, Sara Sciambi, Vice President of Miami Heat Corporate Partners Chris Maragno, Director of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Joy Jibrilu, Ashley Ruchty, General Manager of Sports Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism Virginia Kelly, John Vidalin, and Marcela Navarro. (Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)
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The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is looking to tap into the Miami Heat’s top corporate partners in hopes that they would encourage others to visit The Bahamas.
Recently, 38 of Miami Heat’s season ticket holders and partners were invited on a familiarization trip to The Bahamas.
During a special welcome cocktail reception at The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island, Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu welcomed the group.
“We have a partnership with the Miami Heat but it goes much deeper than that. Miami is our closest partner to The Bahamas. It is a city that we embrace as our own. We love to brag about the fact that when the Heat came the year of their training, they went on to win the championship,” she said.
“By extension, you, the partners are family and we are so happy that you have chosen The Bahamas. For those of you have not ventured beyond Nassau and Paradise Island, we are a country of 700 islands. I hope that the evidence will prove me right when I say that they are truly spectacular. There is a famous says that once is not enough. Bring your family, bring your friends and of course come here for your meetings. We would be delighted to welcome you back.”
Vice President of Miami Heat Corporate Partnerships Chris Maragno spoke about why the basketball team’s partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is a vital co-branding tool.
“The partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is very important because we are showcasing the Islands of The Bahamas to all of the Heat fans in Miami and all over the world from not only the arena but also through our publications and social media,” he said.
“For us, being close to The Bahamas has had benefits. We’ve been here and our team has been here and it’s part of the family and we feel like The Bahamas is a part of our success in everything we do.”
The Miami Heat basketball team had a successful training camp in February 2013 at the Atlantis Paradise Island.
Additionally, last year, the Miami Heat dancers used The Bahamas as their backdrop to shoot their world famous calendar.
Mr. Maragno said the Miami Heat is working on bringing the basketball team back for another training session.
“That is something that we are working on but there are a number of factors involved in that. We are working on the plans to make something like that happen again. At some point, given the facilities and given the NBA that there may be a pre-season NBA game in The Bahamas that will involve the Miami Heat and another franchise,” he said.
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