The 'Big 6' Promotions

'Monte Carlo or Bust'

Holmes wholesale Services brought the excitement of Monte Carlo to Belfast in November with a casino night in the prestigious surroundings of Belfast Castle. Select Holmes customers, key suppliers and media representatives were among the 160 guests that attended the casino night that was held to conclude an exclusive “Monte Carlo or Bust” trade promotion.

At this invitation-only event, the customers had a chance of winning one of ten great prizes, one of which was the headline prize of a trip for two to the Monaco Grand Prix in 2008.

Prior to the casino night, Holmes customers could earn “Holmes Dollars” each time they purchased from designated suppliers in a “Monte Carlo or Bust” trade promotion and customers were encourage to maximise their spends to earn one of the limited places at the casino night. The top-spending customers from each Holmes depot were then invited to the casino night with a partner to try their luck on one of the many roulette, black jack or Chinese craps tables available.

To win one of the main prizes, guests used their winnings from the casino to bid for sealed envelopes in a blind auction at the end of the night. Following an exhilarating auction, Iris McAllister, owner of Open All Hours in Belfast was confirmed as the winner of the trip to the Monaco Grand Prix in 2008.

Prizes were presented on the night by Neil Donnelly, General Manager of Holmes Wholesale Services and he commented, “Once again, our annual casino night was an overwhelming success. Our guests appear to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we have enjoyed this opportunity to meet key customers and suppliers in a very relaxed environment. Although the wholesale sector remains fiercely competitive, our ongoing programme of added value loyalty promotions for trade customers has enabled us to achieve a genuine point of difference in our market.

Iris McAllister (centre) of Open All Hours in Belfast, winner of the Monte Carlo or Bust Star Prize – a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix in 2008 – is pictured with Holmes Wholesale representatives (left to right), Ian Bryson (Marketing Manager), Garry Williams (Depot Manager), and Neil Donnelly (General Manager).

Customers enjoying the Casino Night held at the Belfast Castle.

Niall Patterson (centre), XL Stop & Shop in Cloughmills, Co. Antrim was among the prizewinners at the Monte Carlo or Bust casino night. He is pictured with Neil Donnelly, General manager (left), and Gordon Leonard, Depot Manager, Ballymena.