NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The 20th Annual Exuma Business Outlook will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at St Andrew’s Anglican Church Community Center, bringing together government officials, business leaders and industry stakeholders for discussions focused on Exuma’s economic future.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Foundations for Long-Term Prosperity,” this year’s Outlook will examine the island’s unique challenges, emerging opportunities and ongoing growth and development, with particular attention to economic growth, infrastructure, aviation, workforce development, entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science & Technology Chester Cooper and Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon Pia Glover Rolle and the Hon Bradley Fox, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry Of Works & Family Island Affairs are among the government officials scheduled to address the Outlook.

Emmett Saunders, Executive Director of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s event will be deliberately Exuma-specific, focusing on the issues and opportunities accompanying the significant growth and development taking place across the island.

According to Saunders, particular attention will be given to ensuring local businesses and residents participate meaningfully in Exuma’s growth, while addressing the infrastructure and workforce requirements needed to support continued investment, tourism and business expansion.

He said presenters and panelists have also been encouraged to move beyond broad or general commentary and provide Exuma-specific insights, actionable recommendations and realistic timeframes for implementation, with the objective of identifying practical pathways for addressing the issues that matter most to the island.

“As Exuma enters what we regard as a period of unprecedented growth and opportunity, the Business Outlook provides an important platform for ensuring that national policy, public investment, and private-sector strategy are better aligned with the realities and needs of Exuma’s business environment. More importantly, the Outlook should help advance a shared conversation about what Exuma needs today—and what must be put in place now to ensure that its growth is sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to the wider Exuma community.”

Rupert Pinder, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of The Bahamas, will examine Exuma’s prospects for economic growth, including the opportunities required to sustain expansion while ensuring local businesses and residents participate meaningfully in that growth.

Andre Miller, Executive Director of Global Communications at the Ministry of Tourism, will speak on marketing Exuma.

The island’s infrastructure requirements will also be a major focus. Anthony Christie, Chief Operations Officer at Bahamas Power & Light; Henrea Curry of the Water & Sewerage Corporation; Keiran Chase, Director of Consumer Sales at Cable Bahamas Group of Companies; and Owen Bethell, President and CEO of INTI Corporation will examine the challenges, constraints and potential solutions associated with delivering high-quality, sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting population growth, investment, tourism and business expansion.

On construction and development, Sonia Brown, PE, Principal of Graphite Engineering, will present “Building Right: Perspectives From Construction Professionals.”

Aviation will feature prominently on the programme, with discussions on airport development, expanded airlift, airline operations, pricing, taxes and air flyover fees. Dr Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism and Director of Aviation; Tracy Cooper, Managing Director of Bahamasair and Sarah Swainson, Director of Business Development at Makers Air are among those participating in the aviation discussions.

Swainson, who will represent Watermakers Inc., Makers Air and Staniel Cay Yacht Club, said she is looking forward to engaging with local stakeholders and contributing perspectives from several sectors serving Exuma and the wider Out Islands.

“I’m genuinely looking forward to participating in this year’s Exuma Business Outlook and reconnecting with local stakeholders who understand both the opportunities and the challenges facing our community. I’ll be representing Watermakers Inc., Makers Air, and Staniel Cay Yacht Club, which allows me to bring perspectives and experience from across several sectors serving Exuma and the wider Out Islands. I’m especially looking forward to listening to others and engaging in meaningful dialogue that moves beyond identifying challenges toward practical, grassroots solutions. I hope that these conversations help create a realistic roadmap of collaborative ideas that can be implemented immediately and have a meaningful local impact.”

The aviation discussions will also examine the importance of airport infrastructure in George Town, Staniel Cay and Black Point, as well as reliable and expanded airlift in supporting tourism, investment, trade and broader economic development.

Renea Bastian is Vice President of Marketing and Communications at AML Foods Limited and Derek Smith, Jr of CG Atlantic Medical Pensions will focus on practical solutions for business resilience.

Workforce development will be another key area of discussion, with Ian Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Development Corporation and Debra Pratt, President of DAPS Corporate Training Center & Business Service, addressing the need to strengthen technical and soft skills, attract and retain talent and deliver world-class service as Exuma’s economy expands.

The programme will also explore entrepreneurship, investment and economic diversification, with Demerus “Demi” Darville, founder of Fitfinity Fitness; Bryan Strachan of Aquaquest Escapes; and Carson Gray of Exuma TV/Gray Media examining opportunities to strengthen local entrepreneurship, broaden the island’s economic base, create new avenues for investment and build greater resilience over the long term.



The 20th Annual Exuma Business Outlook forms part of the annual Bahamas Business Outlook series organised by The Counsellors Limited.

Persons interested in attending the 2026 Exuma Business Outlook may contact Margaret Albury at The Counsellors at malbury@tclbahamas.com or telephone (242) 322-1000. Registration is also available online at www.tclevents.com.