Travel Retail Consortium's customer event a triumphant success
A classic game of 'Who dunnit' at the Gala Dinner kept the excitement 'alive' for this table of game winners
A group shot of this year's Travel Retail Consortium event attendees
This year's Travel Retail Consortium customer event included everything from duck herding to a murder mystery was voted the 'best ever' while raising £3,000 (US$3,900) Chestnut Tree House – a Sussex based hospice for children.
The event was held at Hampshire, located Tylney Hall, Rotherwick, on Friday November 8th for an evening that allowed colleagues and friends to meet and network over drinks and a delicious buffet. Over 80 Consortium members took part in a Silent Auction and Tombola with gifts and experiences donated by both Consortium members and customers. This was the first opportunity to raise money for this year’s TRC Chairman’s charity.
Activities included: Archery, Target Shooting, Falconry, Duck herding, Sniper Rifle Shooting, Laser Clays and Axe Throwing.
The evening saw all gather again for a Taittinger Champagne reception, followed by a superb three-course dinner with Mudhouse wines, where more funds were raised via a £5 (US$6.45) in the pot draw, a Heads and Tails competition along with general donation envelopes and buckets.
Welcoming everyone, TRC Chairman Jonathan Corbett introduced Chestnut Tree House CEO Rosemarie Finley who gave a moving presentation on the work of the charity, which helps children at end of life or with shortened life expectancy and their families to have the very best care, memories and experiences during extremely difficult times. “At Chestnut Tree House our goal is to provide the best quality of life for children, young people and their families, and to offer a total package of practical, social and spiritual support throughout each child’s life, however short it may be.” she said.
Added Jonathan: “Chestnut Tree House is a local charity to me and I have always been tremendously moved by the work that they do. Anyone who is a parent will understand the absolute devastation that the loss of a child will cause and the long-term trauma and sadness that it brings to a family. The work that this charity does is beyond magnificent and anyone visiting their premises in Arundel, Sussex cannot be anything but humbled by the dedication of the staff and the bravery of the children. Yet the charity – like so many – has a constant struggle to survive with very little government funding, so for me making it this year’s TRC beneficiary was a clear and obvious choice. I’m hoping that the work we can do to raise funds through the TRC can make a difference to just a few children’s lives and their families.”
In total, £3021.40 (US$3899) was raised from the event.
Guests were also surprised when they were suddenly transported back to 1929 and became witness to the murder of Lord Grantuss in a ‘who dunnit’ that required each table to solve the mystery and name the perpetrator, using cryptic clues, suspect questioning and paying keen attention to humorosly played out scenes. The winning table continued to celebrate the evening with prize Taittinger Champagne and chocolates.
Customers attending the event included:Ambassadors Choice/CMD, Condor Ferries, DFDS, Dufry, Duty360, Harding Retail, ISG Paris Macintyre Scott (MSX), Tourvest Retail
Silent auction, tombola, £5 (US$6.85) in the pot and other prizes were kindly provided by Consortium members Accolade Wines, Aurora World, GoTravel, Guinness, Heineken, Imperial Brands, Invu, Kurate, Mars ITR, Morgan & Oates, Rémy Cointreau, RHA, Sekonda, Skross, Taittinger Champagne & Twinings. Two notable donations of a North Sea cruise and a limited edition bottle of whiskey were also received from DFDS and enabled more funds to be raised.
Concludes Consortium PR Relations Manager Rebecca Harwood Lincoln: “Each year members of the Travel Retail Consortium host a social event for key buyers and retailers. Everyone attending knows that alongside first-class corporate hospitality they will enjoy an event that is designed to be sociable, relaxing and – above all – FUN! From sailing on the Solent to wine tasting in Jersey to high tea at Lords, guests are able to recharge their batteries in the company of friends and colleagues, with the opportunity to find potential new suppliers if they so wish!”
For more information please contact: info@travelretailconsortium.co.uk
