Who? Lina Vasiloudis, Director of Marketing & Communications, Beach Rotana Hotel
Waiters Race organized: Abu Dhabi 2011 (UAE)
Number of waiters races organized: 1
About Beach Rotana Hotel
WR.com: Since when does the Beach Rotana Hotel exist?
Lina Vasiloudis: One part opened in 1992, the extension in 2001.
WR.com: Where is it located exactly in Abu Dhabi?
Lina Vasiloudis: It is in the Tourist Club Area, next to Abu Dhabi Mall.
WR.com: What kind of customers do you have?
Lina Vasiloudis: Our customers are a mix between business tourists, leisure tourists and Abu Dhabi residents.
About the organisation of the race
WR.com: When did you hear for the first time about waiters races?
Lina Vasiloudis: About a year ago.
WR.com: How came-up that idea?
Lina Vasiloudis: Our general manager saw a waiters race in Munich 20 years ago and he decided to do something like this in Abu Dhabi.
WR.com: How many months before the race did you start organizing it?
Lina Vasiloudis: Almost 6 months.
WR.com: What are the main difficulties you faced during the organisation of the race?
Lina Vasiloudis: Finding sponsors was the main difficulty.
Promotion of the race
WR.com: What kind of media,support did you use to promote your waiters race?
Lina Vasiloudis: We used HTMLs to various databases, sent emails to all hotel managers and HR managers in the city, we had two media sponsors who gave us free advertising and we used the hotel’s Facebook page, Twitter and word of mouth.
WR.com: How did you prepare your PR for the race?
Lina Vasiloudis: We prepared three press releases in total and we researched about waiters races to get more information and then we came across your website.
WR.com: What are the benefits of the media coverage of your race?
Lina Vasiloudis: It is a good initiative for the brand, and as it was the first time in Abu Dhabi, we got a good amount of media coverage and interest.
Sponsors and production
WR.com: Could you please give us an idea about the cost of the waiters race for your organisation?
Lina Vasiloudis: Roughly 30,000 US dollars
WR.com: How have your sponsors received your project in general?
Lina Vasiloudis: They loved the idea and everybody wanted to support it, but they preferred to give us prizes or product rather than cash.
About results and plans for the future
WR.com: Did you face any difficulty during the event itself?
Lina Vasiloudis: No.
WR.com: Were the other people involved in the waiters race (participants, sponsors etc…) satisfied with the waiters race?
Lina Vasiloudis: Yes.
WR.com: Were there any VIP/Special guests at the waiters race?
Lina Vasiloudis: Yes, we had some children from the Ability Center for Special needs and some generalmanagers of hotels as well as the COO of Rotana.
WR.com: Do you intend to organize a waiters race in the future? (if yes when and where)
Lina Vasiloudis: Yes, in Abu Dhabi.
WR.com: Was there at your race something very original, innovative that you are proud of?
Lina Vasiloudis: Yes, we made the general managers race each other which was great entertainment for the teams.
About Waitersrace.com
WR.com:Were you surprised to find a waiters race community on the web?
Lina Vasiloudis: Yes, very. But it’s great!
WR.com: What do you think about WaitersRace.com services to organizers?
Lina Vasiloudis: They are very active.
WR.com: How do you think Waitersrace.com can help you with your waiters race and what do you expect from the community?
Lina Vasiloudis: Help us contact sponsors, give us some ideas on an event schedule.
