The 1st edition of the Andalusian Corporate Challenge, with the participation of more than 120 executives from over 30 national and international companies, finished in Ronda, after a gruelling two-day programme with a number of stages in different parts of the province of Malaga, such as the coast of Torremolinos, and the Municipalities of Mijas, Coin, El Burgo, Yunquera and Ronda.
According to Robert Ramirez of Orange Experience, the organizer of the event, “It took months to organize this challenge, which has been a resounding success, the companies participating having given it their all. In our opinion, it is a very suitable and up-to-date way of training executives, as well as promoting the Andalusian Community. The collaboration of the Regional Department of Tourism, Commerce and Sports has been essential, and the idea is to stage further editions in other parts of the region.”
“Although it may seem like a cliché,” says Ramirez, “participating is what counts, since all the companies taking part in this 1st edition of the Andalusian Corporate Challenge have learned how to communicate more effectively, to adapt to complex situations and to develop their potential, which will undoubtedly be reflected in their daily work, as well as getting to know the many attractions of the province of Malaga.”
During the 1st Andalusian Corporate Challenge, the participants have had to tackle multiple strategies, as well as a series of activities and challenges in an outdoor training format. Informa Consultores, the consultancy firm collaborating in the event, monitored each company so as to help it optimize its work potential so as make the most the skills of its team members in each test. In a kind of simulation in which the participants had to overcome the difficulties provoked by a disaster in Andalusia, the challenges included harnessing their executive planning, strategic and organizational skills, and group motivation, to establish a humanitarian corridor for aid – adapting themselves to different surroundings and situations by means of a series of journeys, and searching for alliances in groups of four – or to simulate the building of a hospital with different items provided by the event organizers.
After a number of stages in different parts of the province of Malaga, the Caixa Catalunya’s team triumphed, followed by those of Novasoft and Grupo Unicaja (Hemera) in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
The other 31 teams taking part in the challenge included Aeriam, Aertec, Grupo Almeida, Unicaja Baloncesto, Cajasur, Cámara de Comercio, Fijitsu, Grupo Cobra, Grupo Salsa, Hemera-Unicaja, Holiday World Hoteles, Posadas España, Italcementi Group, La Perla International Living, Les Roches, L’Oreal España, Mercedes Benz, BBVA, Ron Columbus, Silken Hoteles, Tick-Tack, Uniglobal-Unicaja, and Vodka Etxart.
The organizers are thrilled with the results of this 1st edition of the challenge, above all with the level of participation. In the words of Ramirez: “The executives have shown a high level of motivation throughout the challenge, and the teams have fought for victory right up until the end.”
“The Department of Tourism, Commerce and Sports is definitely making the right move by offering companies incentives that allow them to get to know the MICE potential of our region, and to discover the diversity of a very competitive destination with modern, top-quality hotels, restaurants and transport networks, complemented by a magnificent climate, 800km of coastline, over 1,500,000 hectares of protected areas, and a unique heritage.”
According to Ramirez, it is a strategic product incorporating innovative, quality elements and actions, whose aim is to improve the competitiveness of Andalusian MICE destinations. Likewise, the strategy incorporates in a creative fashion aspects of the region’s identity that help to differentiate the destination and boost the co-ordination of promotional activities carried out by the public and private sectors, as well as attracting international event organizers, with the aim of joining forces to hone the competitive edge of the Andalusian meetings and event industry. In addition, for companies these kinds of activity help both to improve internal communications and the managerial skills of their employees.
The Andalusian Corporate Challenge has been organized by Orange Experience, with the support of the Department of Tourism, Commerce and Sports, in collaboration with the Malaga Chamber of Commerce, Informa Consultores, Viajes El Corte Ingles, Granada University, the International Business Management School and EADE.
