Tickets, tickets, tickets...
Trip Start
Jul 21, 2008
1
20
22
Trip End
Aug 28, 2008
Beijing,
China
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Gregg and I both have been handling tickets for two different Olympic sponsors. As part of their sponsorship package, these companies have the opportunity to purchase tickets in prime locations to great events. They then bring in their VIPs, customers, employee incentive winners, and other guests to be treated to several days of Olympic excitement and fun.
It may seem lavish and excessive, and it certainly costs a lot of money, but the sponsors allow the Games to happen in the first place.
Since my arrival in Beijing, my job (along with one other colleague) has been to manage my client's 17,000 event tickets. ACK!! So, before the games, I spent 12 hours a day sorting allllll thossssse tiiiiiicketsssss. It was quite a job. We both had really long days, but Gregg had some truly marathon days.
It's all worth it when we get to send our guests to the events. On my program, the sponsor hosted many contest winners from all over the world. These were not jaded employees or VIPs, but average Janes and Joes that entered a contest in their home country and won.
Some wrote essays, some created recipes, some just entered online...but we had winners from Mexico, Singapore, the Philippines, Norway, Scotland, the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Israel,...and I am sure some others. These were the most fun guests to hand tickets to, because the were so excited at their luck! They wanted their pictures made holding their tickets, and more than one kissed them! :o)
The other fun thing about our job has been the opportunity to give unused tickets to local folks who have helped us out on our program. We have given them to hotel staff, security guards, drivers, translators...many of whom would never be able to afford them and likely will never again have the opportunity to see an Olympic event. The gratitude on their faces...the breathlessness, the hugs, the tears and even an Orange Fanta so sincerely given to me as a thank you...really made me feel lucky to be able to give them that experience. And keep in mind, these were prime tickets, so they had amazing seats. They sure deserve it.
So, have we seen anything? After the first frenzied days, things finally settled down, and we have gotten to a few things when we are not working. We've both seen Phelps in the pool, partied at Beach Volleyball, seen Athletics in the Bird's Nest... not too shabby! Gregg got to see the women of the USA Football/Soccer team clench the gold tonight in an over time game! Nice going ladies!!
We may get to check out a few more events, but feel lucky to have seen what we have seen. Even luckier to have been able to make the days of so many nice Beijingers!
Comments
Tickets...
What goodwill you are generating. That person-to- person goodwill, probably more than any kind of government initiated diplomacy is what will foster the world peace that the peoples of the world long for. Good work from good guys!
one world!
That post did my heart good. But why am I suddenly craving an orange Fanta?