By Angela Green, Content Executive, H&C News: Las Iguanas announce details of ‘Race to Rio’ employee trip 2023.
Las Iguanas’ Race to Rio tour is returning after a three year Covid induced hiatus. The 2023 trip will be the company’s biggest yet, with more than 20 team members set to jet off to Rio de Janeiro in the spring.
Places on the all-expenses paid trip to Las Iguanas’ cultural home nearly 6,000 miles away in Brazil have been secured through a series of incentives running over recent months, including Mystery Diner scores, along with VIP seats awarded to the General Manager of the year and the two runners up at last autumn’s Big Table Group conference.
The final places will be decided early this year, with the lucky travellers heading off on their big adventure in April. In the meantime, Race to Rio ‘24 will kick off in January with opportunities to grab a seat on that flight throughout 2023.
First established in 2008, this will be the 13th Race to Rio tour, and this year’s winners will enjoy a whirlwind week away, with a fun-packed itinerary. They will scale the heights of Sugar Loaf Mountain and visit Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer perched above the city. In between a trip to the Sambadrome, the home of Rio Carnival, and taking in a football match at the iconic Maracanã stadium, there will be plenty of chances to soak up the Copacabana vibes on the beach, hit the water for a boat party and sample plenty of Caipirinha cocktails at the home of Las Iguanas’ Magnifica Cachaça in the mountains behind Rio. The team will also drop in and say hi to the kids at Las Iguanas’ partner charity Projeto Vidançar in the Alemão Complex favela.
Race to Rio is just one of a whole host of incentives at Las Iguanas alongside a wide range of group-wide benefits. In total around 40 people will head off on their travels this year, with further annual excursions to Cuba and Mexico set to take place in conjunction with suppliers, while plans are also underway for Iguanacamp, the summer Support Managers’ conference and social. Regular competitions and prize draws, like the monthly ‘Your Rent Paid’ giveaway and on the spot ‘Nice-ness’ rewards also keep things exciting.
Alan Morgan, CEO of Big Table Group, said: “Las Iguanas is a genuinely fun and exciting place to work. People join because they love the Latin American vibes, but they stay because of the family atmosphere and the incredible, money-can’t-buy experiences we’re able to offer. Our Race to Rio trips have had an amazing impact on so many people throughout our business over the years, and I’m thrilled that more team members than ever will have the opportunity to enjoy this trip of a lifetime this year.”
As part of The Big Table Group, Las Iguanas is also able to offer their teams a host of valuable benefits including 50% team discount in all of the group brands (Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Amalfi and Banana Tree), 25% Friends and Family discount cards, a ‘Spend & Save’ platform along with discounted gym membership and cheaper tickets to Merlin attractions.
The ‘We Care’ Employee Support package in place includes virtual GP and mental health support access and financial or legal advice. Wagestream, the real time finances-tracking tool, is also available to everyone as well as access to loans and savings through Salary Finance. Charity Days and Spend a Day With… are great opportunities to give something back or get an insight in to the workings of the wider group.
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