Goway Eastern Canada BDM Aubrey Schmidt with Goway founder Bruce Hodge.
The official scorekeeper and white-clad competitors.
The coveted hardware.
The match umpire is signalling something. We're not sure what.
Every good business partnership includes a bit of fun along with the work. The long-standing relationship between Canada’s Goway Travel – a downunder pioneer and stalwart – and Air New Zealand, is a case in point.
Members of the two companies (including a few Goway employees who played for NZ under strict instructions from Goway guru Bruce Hodge not to help them win) gathered at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club for their 14th-annual Cricket Match.
It’s always friendly affair, especially among the audience, many of whom, like this reporter, had no idea what was actually happening on the pitch. But on one of the most beautiful days of 2017, watching from the sunny sidelines with a cool refreshment and chatting with the lovely ladies from Air New Zealand – Eastern Canada sales manager Sabrina Bernacchia, USA leisure sales manager Sarah Crosby and newly appointed Regional General Manager America Liz Fraser -- was a most pleasant experience.
Fraser is freshly transplanted from Auckland to L.A. at a great time for the airline. NZ celebrated the 2nd-best year of profit in its history in 2016. In fact, NZ is at the top of its game right now, repeatedly winning awards including Airline of the Year from AirlineRatings.com and World’s Best Premium Economy Class from Skytrax.
Fraser praised the partnership between Goway and NZ, saying it continues to grow, with Goway providing many pax from Canada and playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. market. The airline is boosting capacity on the YVR-AKL route by 20% and Fraser says Goway can be relied upon to fill many of those seats. She is also tickled by all the positive attention NZ has generated with its latest global advertising campaign featuring the lovable Pete the Kiwi.
When all was said and done, NZ won the match by one point, or goal or try or run or something, but it really didn’t matter. The day is all about camaraderie and collaboration between valued partners.
Air New Zealand's Sarah Crosby, Sabrina Bernacchia and Liz Fraser.
