Wearing T-shirts inscribed “Hello, Hello, Are You Ready?” on the front, and “We Jammin’ Still” on the back, Executive Committee and Staff members rubbed shoulder to shoulder in celebration of the reopening of Four Seasons Resort & Residences Anguilla.
The event was a mass Pep Rally on Wednesday, October 16, on the eve of the reopening the following day, October 17, when the first guest for the 2019/2020 season arrived at the attractively refreshed resort with its well-manicured gardens.
“We are opening tomorrow!” Resort Manager, Mr. Billy Ceuto, known for his motivating skills, shouted to the large gathering at the Peep Rally – and received an equally exciting response. He continued: “This, ladies and gentlemen, is by far going to be the greatest season that this resort has ever seen. We are opening with a massive bang. I have only been here eighteen months but I can tell you this resort looks better than it ever has. Do you know why? It is because you are all here. The soul is back in this resort; the family is back. It is like a family reunion right now. I just want to say thank you for all that you did from the beginning of last season until we closed in August. It was a great ride but it is going to be even better this year.”
Mr. Ceuto mentioned to a big planned ‘Sutton wedding’ at the resort in a couple of weeks. “It is going to be magnificent,” he went on. “Then there will be Thanksgiving, Festive and then into 2020.” He took the opportunity to welcome a number of newly-hired employees as well as some management persons – on transfer from other Four Seasons properties – including Mr. Tony Curry, the new Director of Residences.
The Resort Manager took much delight in welcoming to the microphone Four Seasons’ Regional Vice President, Mr. Theirry Kennel, who was in Anguilla for the reopening of the resort following Hurricane Irma. “It is great to be back on the island,” he stated. “It is just phenomenal to see the condition the resort is in today, and you guys are well ahead of the pace.”
He commended the employees for their dedication to the resort and their exemplary and well-mannered disposition. “It is something phenomenal to see, and it is this that makes our visitors come back to Four Seasons,” he said. He also commended them, the musicians and Rodi, the singer and dancer, for their spirit of merriment displayed at the Pep Rally.
“I just love that spirit about you,” he added. “On behalf of Four Seasons Corporate and everyone else, our hearts are with you. God bless you all for a great opening.”
Later on, General Manager of Four Seasons Anguilla, Mr. José Adames, took pleasure in welcoming to the rally Anguilla’s famed international entertainer, Bankie Banx, and his son, Omari Banks, who is closely following in his footsteps as another leading entertainer on the island -and performing abroad. Separately and together, they performed several of their favourite songs, much to the enjoyment and participation of the appreciative and large audience.
The Anguillian newspaper, which was invited to the Pep Rally, requested Mr. Adamas to comment on the event. “It has been a wonderful afternoon,” he replied, over the entertaining music and shouts of excitement. “Thank you for being with us. We are so excited over the new season and more excited for the staff because we are looking forward for them to do well and to benefit from the increased business on the island. Anguilla is becoming bigger and better than ever – and the best is yet to come.”
He disclosed that there were between 550 and 600 employees at the resort – to whom he was grateful for their hard work and dedication.
Around him, near and far, the crowd was thick, resilient and delightful. They sumptuously feasted at the food and drink tables, danced to the overpowering musical rhythms – and happily interacted with fellow employees and members of the Executive Committee. The Pep Rally continued for several hours, leaving the employees in a highly motivated mood for work on the following day, Thursday, October 17.
