Manufacturing giant Red Stripe recently gave two of its employees an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.
In a company press release, Managing Director Daaf van Tilburg explained the reasons for this gesture, which is part of the “Guh Fi Gold and Glory” rewards campaign for local customers on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Paris.
“Our company is guided by many values, but one of the most important is our commitment to people, both our consumers and certainly our employees, who are at the heart of everything we do. So we thought it was only fitting to reward them with a trip to Paris where they could experience the European city, witness the events first-hand and proudly cheer on Team Jamaica. We see their hard work every day and we are committed to recognizing their contributions in as many ways as possible. After all, the joy of true togetherness begins within our own team.”
The two lucky winners, Inbound Logistics Team Leader Nikolas Martin and Data Analyst Samoya Deacon, shared their joy and gratitude for their selection.
“We always hold some kind of internal competition in the company to motivate employees and give everyone a fair chance to win various prizes. Once the Guh Fi Gold and Glory campaign was launched externally, we started to build excitement internally and this time I made sure I was there because this was a really big prize. I really wanted to travel this year to celebrate my birthday and I dreamed of seeing the Olympics live and in action, so how could I not at least try?” explained Nikolas Martin, a second-generation Red Stripe employee who is following in the footsteps of his father who worked at the company for many years.
The internal competition, which ran from May to June, was designed to boost company morale through a series of thoughtful activities. From gym sessions and walking challenges to participating in recycling drives and attending brand and company-sponsored events, employees enthusiastically took the opportunity to earn points for daily and weekly tasks. The ultimate goal was to collect a total of 500 points to win.
Samoya Deacon, who has been with us for three years, reveled in the excitement of a Paris adventure and celebrated winning a long-held dream: “This experience is a dream come true. It is my first trip abroad and visiting Paris, another lifelong dream, makes this gift even more special for me. I will always be incredibly grateful for this unforgettable opportunity.”
“The trip was simply exhilarating. Our new European friends were dressed in black, green and gold and were so warm and welcoming – shouting ‘Jamaica’, ‘Usain Bolt’ and ‘Bob Marley’ as soon as they saw us. However, I can hardly describe how it felt to sit in the stands and watch my own people compete. I remember Kishane getting into formation and cheering him on as he approached the finish line to see his reaction live and his incredible result. I think this experience really increased my national pride and appreciation for being Jamaican,” added Martin.
Red Stripe is one of Jamaica’s leading companies, employing nearly 300 full-time employees and approximately one thousand contract workers. The company produces the world-famous Red Stripe beer, which was first brewed in Jamaica in 1928.
