18 years after its debut, the highly-anticipated Air Canada – United Airlines Race will take place in Dublin, Ireland this week. 15 Canadian and 15 American travel advisors will embark on a fun-filled learning adventure and friendly competition in the UNESCO City of Literature, home to world-famous writers James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and George Barnard Shaw, to name a few, reports Ming Tappin, who’s participating in the event for Travel Press Today.

The first Air Canada Race took place in 2006 in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, where travel advisors competed in a car rally from Richmond to Whistler. Over the years, the wildly successful event was repeated in Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Orlando. News of the race quickly spread, and in 2015, Air Canada was approached by Visit Britain to host the first international race. Since then, races have been held in France, Switzerland, and Portugal. Subsequently, United Airlines joined the event, and post-race fams were introduced.

Race participants enjoying a welcome dinner at The Blue Room in the Dean Hotel.

According to Edna Ray, Air Canada’s Senior Manager, Regional Sales, the race is “the most fun project we plan in the entire year.” The race format loosely follows that of The Amazing Race television series, but its details will not be unveiled until race day. “The whole idea is to keep improving on what we’re doing, making it super exciting and logistically interesting,” said Ray.

Why is this year’s race held in Dublin? Air Canada, United Airlines, and the host destination strive to deliver the best possible experience to participants. Ray stresses the importance of a strong partnership: “When we choose a (host) destination, we have to have one that we have total confidence in, that is aligned with what we are trying to deliver.” To the Air Canada – United Airlines team, Tourism Ireland ticks all the boxes. The country’s diverse offerings include a blend of marquee cities and attractions with off-the-beaten-path experiences that offer visitors a different perspective of the Emerald Isle. Air Canada offers year-round nonstop flights to Dublin from Toronto, Montreal, and seasonally from Vancouver; United offers nonstop flights from Newark, Chicago, and Washington Dulles – a partnership that Ray describes as “perfectly matched.”

The Air Canada and United Airlines team, from l to r, are Cathy Cangemi O’Callaghan, Account Manager, United Airlines; Laurie Severance Johnson, Principal, United for Business Marketing; and Edna Ray, Air Canada Senior Manager, Regional Sales, ready to welcome Air Canada – United Airlines Race participants.

How do advisors qualify to attend the race? “We look for agencies who can bring business to the destination,” said Ray. “Agents have to complete a six-week airline and destination training module, and of course, we require a sales commitment in transatlantic flight bookings.” This year’s participants hail from agencies of all sizes. They range from newbies of under two years to veterans who have been in the business for decades, and advisors who specialize in large groups and the MICE market. The race will allow advisors to mingle, bond, and share ideas and best practices. “It’s really a true partnership in every shape and form,” said Ray.

The Air Canada – United Airlines Race kicked off on Sunday, September 22nd, with advisors arriving in Dublin and enjoying a city overview on a Do Dublin Hop on Hop off Tour. Sights included the Custom House, Merrion Square, Christchurch Cathedral, the sprawling Guinness brewery and Storehouse, and more.

Members of Tourism Ireland, Air Canada, and United Airlines host participants at the welcome group dinner. (l to r) Paul McDonagh, Trade Manager, U.S., Tourism Ireland;  Letty Cronin, Trade Team, Failte Ireland; Lupita Cardiel, Sales Manager, Air Canada; Cathy Cangemi O’Callaghan, Account Manager, United Airlines; Sandra Moffatt, Country Manager, Canada, Tourism Ireland; Edna Ray, Air Canada Senior Manager, Regional Sales; Lauren Lamonday, Business Partnerships Executive, Canada, Tourism Ireland; Elizabeth Ohayon , Manager, Regional Sales, Air Canada; and Laurie Severance Johnson, Principal, United for Business Marketing.

The actual race will take place today — Sept. 23 — where advisors will be grouped into teams and race to complete various tasks throughout the streets of Dublin. The winning team will be presented with their prize – a return trip to Ireland for two courtesy of Air Canada and United Airlines – at the gala awards dinner this evening.

The day following the race, advisors will attend a full-day workshop with Tourism Ireland, meeting and engaging with 60 tourism suppliers. Post-race fams will begin on September 25th, where advisors will depart on one of four itineraries to various parts of Ireland, including the Wild Atlantic Way, the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Northern Ireland.

“You have really earned your position here,” said Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland’s country manager for Canada to the participants at the welcome dinner. The entire team at Tourism Ireland is excited for the next few days of fun, learning, and engagement, leading Moffatt to declare: “The Race is On!”

Stay tuned for full coverage of the race, the announcement of the winners, and the post-fam excitement in the upcoming days.

Top Photo 

During the Go Dublin HOHO tour, Air Canada – United Airlines Race participants stopped for a photo at the Oscar Wilde sculpture near Merrion Square.

Story and Photos by Ming Tappin 

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