Meet Bateaux London's Marketing Executive, Stephanie Dodgson

Stephanie Dodgson is a dear friend who works in our Marketing team. Based onboard Bateaux London, her time is divided between the needs of Bateaux and Prestige in general.

Hello, Stephanie. So, what brought you over from the surfers and sunny climes of Australia?

 

L'Occitane competition

We are delighted to announce the new Corporate Gift and Event service from L’Occitane, the luxury fragrance and beauty brand from Provence.

A Ritz-roaring Affair

Some of you may remember me writing about this event last year. I had an amazing night, and an even better one this time around. Networking is less of a daunting task nowadays - in fact, I love it.

The team invited their top golfing clients to the Ritz Club Casino to celebrate the launch of our new hospitality packages at the Open; and to view our sexy new video!

New Recruits!

Now, I don’t know if I have mentioned this but Prestige has recently taken on 2 new recruits for the hospitality sales team. This was a welcome relief to Stuart and I, who have been manning the fort on our lonesome for a while now. But this is not the only benefit as you can imagine. On a personal level I am delighted to have some assistance around the office: cups of tea, the lifting of boxes, being told how nice I look today – oh, did I mention they are BOYS?!

Before I get sued for gender bias, I would like to add that of course the boys do more than make me tea and tell me I look nice. In all honesty, I am lucky if I am referred to by my own name rather than the nickname du jour (Please note Darren, I have not been enjoying Dobby the House Elf. Although that said, it is undeniable that Mark really does look like Ron Weasley).

Darren and Mark are invaluable assets to the team, having injected a new lease of life into the place, bringing with them their own connections and contacts, plus that little thing that keeps a sales team buzzing – the sense of competition!

Rugger

Ooooh. Just received a company announcement from our Managing Director entitled Sodexo wins Rugby World Cup bids for 2015 and 2019!!!! (Exclamation marks my own).

I confess I do not always pay due attention to the company announcements. Items like Sodexo achieves SAFE contractor accreditation, whilst fantastic, do not really float my boat. BUT! Prestige have been awarded the prestigious contract for the full, official travel and hospitality programmes for the next two Rugby World Cup tournaments, the first in England in 2015, and the following competition in Japan in 2019.

I LOVE rugby (players) and I am so pleased to have another event to offer my clients. This is a massive win for Rugby Travel & Hospitality Ltd (RTH), the name of our joint venture company, and extends our highly successful partnership with Rugby World Cup Ltd, who has awarded us the contract. This has been largely down to our successful delivery of the award-winning official travel and hospitality programmes for Rugby World Cup 2007 in France, achieving record sales figures.

Having spent most of the summer watching cricket, I guess I will need start brushing up on my rugby lingo. Coming from someone who is still referring to wicket keeping as 'wicketing', and asking when everyone will be coming off the 'pitch' - its safe to say my rugby knowledge is even less impressive. Any rugby enthusiasts out there who can help???

Team!

This month our lovely boss David MacCallum did what lovely bosses do best – and opened his wallet. That’s right, the Sales Team ventured outside of the office for their first group outing for a little something we like to call team bonding.

Clearly, this is a 'before' photo.

Crazy Golf

Another crazy day in the office manning the phones whilst clients innundate us with last minute requests and questions about their hospitality at The Open tomorrow. There is a fantastic atmosphere in the office - we have 2 new sales guys and the room is a-buzz with golf-talk, furtive phone calls to the Events Team onsite at St Andrews and bigs whoops of joy as the bookings keep rolling in!

Whilst the actual tournament starts on Thursday 15th, Prestige are kicking things off early with our Sportsman's Dinner tomorrow evening - hosted by none other than past champion and Ryder Cup Captain Tony Jacklin. After mooching about watching the practice rounds, guests are invited to gather and watch past champions compete over 4 holes. Twenty seven of the 32 Open Champions will be playing, including Tiger Woods and Tom Watson. The Champions' Challenge tees off around 3.40pm and finishes at 6pm, then guests descend upon the Links Restaurant for a champagne and canape reception, followed by a sumptuous 4-course feast!

My colleagues David and Stuart are already onsite and I am extremely envious that they are attending the dinner (I love dinner). I tried to be sympathetic when Stuart called today to say he had already crashed his golf buggy - but I just couldn't rise above the jealousy (or fight the hysterical laughter).

Last minute sales have been incredible for the rest of the tournament - the phones have been none stop the past few days. The poor team are running around the site depositing tickets left right and centre, scoping out where the car parks are and generally just getting a handle on things; preparing for everyone's arrival. We have all been waiting for The Open to arrive, and it has finally come around!

The Road Hole Fine Dining Restaurant is a must-visit gourmet destination for all food lovers and with a Private chef cooking breakfast upon arrival they are definitely starting the day as they mean to go on. I also incidentally love breakfast in case you are wondering.

The Hospitality Village looks incredible and will look even better once it is full of people. There are private chalets, hospitality gardens, business centres - its like a little community. A mixture of clubhouse style facilities and a buzzy restaurant area, it is truly first class hospitality.