Flight Centre Travel Group has flown thousands of ‘Flighties’ to Brisbane for its annual Flichella Festival bash, themed ‘All Aussie Muster’, to celebrate the end of financial year.
Held in in Brisbane Showgrounds, almost 4,000 of Flight Centre Travel Group staff enjoyed a nostalgia-filled celebration complete with farm animals, Dagwood dogs, dodgem cars, a Ferris wheel and a slew of iconic Aussie musical acts including Tuffy, Luke Cleave, Open Season Band, Lime Cordiale, ARC and Anna Lunoe.
“Celebration is a big part of our culture here at FCTG, and Flichella is the most talked about event on the company’s social calendar,” FCTG managing director Australia, James Kavanagh, said. “It’s really special seeing interstate teams come together and reunite on the day after many a virtual meeting throughout the year.
“We actually fly everyone into Brisbane for the day to make sure nobody misses out. It’s our way of saying a big ‘thank you’ to our people nation-wide for their hard work throughout the year.
“Reward and recognition are deeply rooted in our culture and it’s one of the many reasons we’re considered such a great place to work.”
25-year tenures celebrated
In a new addition to the schedule, those with more than 25 years’ tenure attended an exclusive dinner at FCTG’s Headquarters on Friday night, alongside senior executives and the company’s founders Bill James and Geoff Harris.
FCTG CEO and founder Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner joined the event via video message given he was visiting Flight Centre stores in Canada.
“25 years of service to a company is a significant milestone and we’re proud to have more than x people that fit this criteria,” Kavanagh added.
“These are people who have, in most instances, dedicated more than half their lives to the company, so it’s important we recognise this in a special way.
“On the night, our founder Bill James said it best; ‘You don’t just work for Flight Centre; you are Flight Centre.”
The event is organised by FCTG’s own meeting and events company, FCM Meetings & Events. Flichella is made possible through the support of key partners including Europ Assistance, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, humm90, Viking Cruises, Sabre, The Ascott, Quest, among others.
