Red Bull Air Race

Lindsey Finnegan and I worked at the Red Bull Air Races held in San Diego, Ca May 9th and 10th. It was a very worthwhile experience, and we were exposed to a new culture in the company of Red Bull. Lindsey and I were assigned to help manage the “Wings Team” who would be providing the hospitality at the Air Races. These Wings Team members were young women from all over the West coast who promote Red Bull by handing out samples within their cities and at various large events. Since the girls were from all over and many, if not most, were first timers at a Red Bull Air Race, it was important to come up with a way to familiarize these young women with the actual Red Bull Air Races event and the particular roles which they were there to fill.

Lindsey and I decided to create a fun way to educate the girls by creating a scavenger hunt for the Wings Team to complete upon arrival to the hotel. As girls from all areas filtered in, they were given the Scavenger Hunt, a map, and a Red Bull Air Race Magazine. The 18 questions in the scavenger hunt required them to read through the Air Race magazine and learn about common questions that guests might ask, such as who the pilots were and the rules of the course. They were then sent out to walk the course in order to familiarize themselves with public areas such as the restrooms, concessions stands, and VIP areas. Upon completion of the scavenger hunt they were allowed to pick up their uniforms and check into their rooms before coming back for a quick orientation that laid out what was to be expected of them for the weekend.

Friday and Saturday was an event unlike anything I have ever seen. Planes were flying greater than 200 MPH on a course less than 50 feet above the water. The Wings Team’s goal was enhance the overall spectator experience at the Air Races. Wings Girls were dressed as flight attendants and placed outside of the gates to attract spectators, at the information booths to answer spectator questions, and inside the “Higher Fliers” lounge and “Race Club” to provide hospitality in the Air Race’s VIP hot spots. As the day went on, Lindsey and I were constantly making decisions to move the Wings Girls throughout spectator areas depending on where they would be most useful. We received many compliments from Red Bull employees as well as Air Race spectators in regards to the hospitality at the event, and were told that they were more helpful and knowledgeable than ever before. We also received an email from Red Bull Canada saying that they heard how successful our scavenger hunt was and asked for a copy to use for their own events. It is great to know our hard work has paid off and is already spreading throughout Red Bull!

Christin Shibley, SMBA 2010