Dublin’ down: Air Canada – United Airlines racers go for the win

The Air Canada – United Airlines racers were released onto the streets of Dublin in six teams yesterday morning (Sept.23) to compete against each other for the grand prize of a return trip to Ireland, reports Ming Tappin for Travel Press Today.

Right from the start, a sense of competitiveness filled the air as teams huddled to select their team names and discuss strategies on how to win the race.

Thirty travel advisors, the Air Canada and United Airlines team, and media members emerged as The Blarney Bunch II, Dublin Dashers, Lucky’s Revenge, The Shamrock Squad, Wilde Croissants and Bagels, and Wilde Ones. And they were off to the races!

Using a GPS app created just for the Race, teams had to navigate to various landmarks located on the downtown map and complete a task, such as answering questions about the venue or taking a group photo or video while performing the task. Unlike the Amazing Race TV show, teams were not racing to finish first, rather, they were given three hours to complete as many tasks as they liked.

Teams were also encouraged to take candid photos and videos during the race, as the quality – not quantity – of the content submitted earned valuable bonus points towards the win.

The winning team emerges

At the Race Awards Dinner held at Fire Restaurant that evening, participants enjoyed a slide show with submissions from the day’s race. The highlight reel included teams recreating a scene from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, posing at a cafe with a local, and rocking it out at the Phil Lynot (of Thin Lizzy fame) statue.

A team with impeccable timing even had a photo op with James Geoghegan, Lord Mayor of Dublin, who happened to be seeing guests off at the front door of his home – The Mansion House.

With 435 points for correct answers and creative content, the winning team was The Shamrock Squad – Natalee Fox of The Travel Concierge (Nexion), Cedric James of AmexGBT,  Jessica Rhinehart of Milne Travel, Jennifer Svoboda of The Travel Agent Next Door, and Heather Erlenbusch of Summit Travel (Nexion).

Each team member will have a chance to return to Ireland for an extended visit, courtesy of Air Canada and United Airlines. A fun day was had by all, and every team was a winner in our eyes, as the level of creativity displayed and results achieved were indeed impressive.

The Air Canada – United Airlines Race program continues today, with the advisors participating in educational workshops with Tourism Ireland and 60 local and regional travel suppliers. Post-race fams will begin on Sept. 25, and participants will return home on Sept. 28.

Stay tuned for more coverage on Travel Courier!

—Story by Ming Tappin