The Tribune

FOR the past five years, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has been celebrating a theme night with the Miami Heat organisation, as part of its cultural exchange and partnership. On March 1, they did so again, during the Heat's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Thousands of fans who attended the game watched a series of videos showcasing The Bahamas' beautiful and picturesque waters, activities and culture on the large jumbotrons inside the packed American Airlines arena. The Islands of The Bahamas is the preferred vacation destination for the players, fans, families and friends of the Miami Heat organisation.

Scores of patrons, including Bahamian NBA champion and former Lakers player, Mychal Thompson, stopped by the Bahamas' booth to register to win a round trip ticket for two to Nassau, inclusive of four-days three-nights stay at the all-inclusive Breezes Super Clubs Resort. British Colonial Hilton Hotel in Nassau also provided a three-days two-nights stay for the sweepstakes.

Alonzo Mourning, 2006 NBA champion and vice president of player programmes for the Miami Heat, along with Greg Rolle, senior director of sports, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, presented the lucky sweepstakes winners with their prizes.

Mr Rolle said "the partnership with the Miami Heat has been an invaluable and mutually beneficial one, as both entities are known for their strong, propelling and respected brands. We have very much enjoyed our relationship with the Miami Heat over these past five years, and we are grateful to them for the exposure and continued support and love they and their patrons have given to our nation".

As part of its five-year partnership with The Bahamas, the Miami Heat has conducted joint marketing and promotions to its various networks with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, hosted scores of underprivileged children to its games from the Bahamas, including the Children's Emergency Hostel and Ranfurly Home for Children in Nassau and Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama.

The Miami Heat organisation has also conducted two training camps for its athletes in The Bahamas, two photo and film shoots in the Bahamas for its dancers as well as each year, brought along many of its corporate partners, fans and families to vacation in The Bahamas.