The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Carnival’s Celebration Key is launching a series of supplier readiness workshops for more than 300 local suppliers in Grand Bahama. The first workshop will be held on Thursday at the Royal Palm Ballroom at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

Javonte Anyabwele, vice president of strategic sourcing for hotel, corporate, indirect, and onboarding revenue at Carnival Corporation & plc, announced that Celebration Key is set to open next year. “We have different RFPs and RFXs for various projects. We have over 50 active projects right now, and that list will continue to grow and expand,” Mr Anyabwele said.

Additional workshops are planned for September, October, and November, targeting suppliers in transportation, housing, landscaping, and more.

Carnival Corporation, which includes nine cruise line brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O, and Cunard, will bring these brands to Freeport over time. “These brands will be coming to Celebration Key, and we must ensure readiness. We’re conducting these workshops to guide suppliers on how to engage with Carnival Corporation and hopefully become part of our supply chain,” Mr Anyabwele explained.

Thursday’s workshop will include two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting three hours. The sessions will consist of an informational segment followed by a Q&A.

Erika Claxton, senior manager of Celebration Key, confirmed additional workshops are scheduled for September 12 and 24, October 17, and November 14.

“We are super excited about the supplier readiness workshops, starting tomorrow at the Royal Palm Ballroom,” she said.

Interested participants can register online via Celebration Key Grand Bahama’s Facebook and Instagram pages or at celebrationkeygrandbahama.com.