IBHS golf tournament success

THE BRIEF
The charity golf tournament is the major fundraising event held by International Branded Hotels of Shanghai (IBHS), an association of the city’s four- and five-star international hotels. The annual event aims to raise US$26,000 for children’s charities in Shanghai and provides a social occasion for members and their business associates.

CHALLENGES
IBHS’s organising members are volunteers. “Finding people willing to help organise the event is a challenge, because it does take time,” says William Hall, IBHS chairman.
This year’s three organisers, who are also general managers of their respective hotels,
also helped arrange last year’s event. “We had many different teams working together, so it
takes time,” Hall says. “This year’s event took four months to organise. We can’t do it too
far in advance either as people would find it hard to commit – we had a list of teams and
sponsors only two months before the event.”

EXECUTION
Each hole featured a food and beverage ‘animation’ provided by member hotels and sponsors. For example, participants were surprised with ice-creams or beer or apple strudels at each turn.
The tee-off time was 12.30pm. Prior to this, there was a reception followed by a briefing.
The day ended with dinner and prizes, and a lucky draw.
The 20 teams started at different holes and rotated through all 18 by the end of the
afternoon. The lucky eighth hole offered players a chance to win a car.

VERDICT
People were delighted by the F&B animations, which was something different from a standard
game of golf. It was a cost-effective way of entertaining customers, networking and meeting potential clients, according to Hall.
“It was a good course and we were lucky to have great weather,” Hall says.