Bermuda’s businesses and residents are invited to register their interest in a number of commercial opportunities ranging from food and beverage services to local entertainers.

Plans for the America’s Cup Village in Dockyard have progressed to the stage where restaurants, caterers and other local food suppliers are being selected. Separate requests for cleaning services and a call for local entertainers has also been distributed this week.

The America’s Cup Event Authority, under the guidance of Bermudian Chris Garland, who heads the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Division, has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is seeking submissions from local restaurants, caterers, bars, small unique food vendors and food trucks to be a part of America’s Cup Village.

The America’s Cup Village will include seven Team Bases, three Hospitality Facilities with approximately 500 people each, a Media Centre hosting up to 200 international and local media, a 750-seat Grandstand, a Retail store, Kids Zone and technical areas, restaurants and bars, cafés and food trucks and TV Broadcast studios. Attendance is expected to peak at over 10,000 for the America’s Cup match days and may average several thousand on other days.

All local food service businesses that are interested are encouraged to respond to the Food and Beverage RFP, from food trucks and small business unique food offerings and confectionery to large catering companies to also service the America’s Cup Workforce lunches.

An example of the types of vendors sought range from typical food concessions to a stand-alone café with bar with beverages, food trucks, an ice cream truck, unique food offerings and confectioners and a bar. Some services will be required full time for the duration of the America’s Cup while others will rotate on a schedule to allow for as many local businesses to benefit as possible.

Chris Garland, ACEA public food and beverage concessions manager, is encouraging any interested parties to apply.

“We don’t expect any one or two companies to manage it all, we’re not looking for that,” he said. “So, we encourage all local Food & Beverage businesses to apply — don’t shy away because you’re a small shop, many hands make light work.”

Details of the RFP can be downloaded at: www.acbda.bm/about/request-for-proposals/ and the submission deadline is January 6.

An RFP for cleaning services is also available for download with submissions requested by January 30.

This is for cleaning and servicing of hospitality facilities for many buildings and areas inside and outside of the America’s Cup Village, including the Tier 1 VIP facility Club AC, the Longtail Lounge, office facilities and work areas such as the Media Centre, Broadcast Centre, America’s Cup office space, control centre and medical clinic, the Volunteer Centre, Retail and Food and Beverage areas and public areas.

Cleaning services are also required during the build of America’s Cup Village starting February.

Entertainers of all styles are urged to register their interest in performing in the America’s Cup Village. Organisers are looking for comedians, steel band players, calypso, gombey troupes, dance troupes, bands, fire-dancers, soloists, rap-poets, stilt-walkers, jugglers, street theatre and more.

Sancha Durham, ACEA’s event and business support co-ordinator, is developing an extensive database of local entertainers and is keen to ensure nobody is missed.

“If you’re an entertainer interested in performing in America’s Cup Village, we want to hear from you,” she said. “Let your friends and family know. We are not limiting the number of entertainers we engage so we urge everyone who is a talented musician or entertainer to apply.”

It is easy to register as an entertainer, simply e-mail: talent@americascup.com

Entertainment in the America’s Cup Village will be scheduled before and after racing and into the evening on weekends.

Information on more local business opportunities will be made available in the New Year as preparation for America’s Cup Bermuda shifts from infrastructure to services, activities and experiences. Bermuda will be well prepared to show the world our best and will give everyone an unforgettable experience and memories of a lifetime.