Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/513060
Events 45 maltatoday, Sunday, 17 May 2015 Emirates airline announced its con- tinued support of Emirates Team New Zealand, which is among the challengers for the 35th America's Cup, to be decided in June 2017. President of Emirates airline, Tim Clark, said the airline's decision was recognition of the success of the team in helping build the Emir- ates brand globally, as well as sign- aling further commitment to New Zealand. "Emirates started its New Zealand services in 2003 and has been nam- ing rights sponsor of Team New Zealand since 2004," he said. "Our re-commitment for the next Amer- ica's Cup challenge, lodged by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squad- ron in August last year, is testament to the spirit, skill and strengths the team has shown. "Our investment in Team New Zealand is one of the reasons Emir- ates has continued to soar in brand recognition, holding the top brand value among all airlines and now being inside the top 200 companies globally on brand value." Competition in the next Amer- ica's Cup begins in July 2015, with the first event of the America's Cup World Series, in Portsmouth, Eng- land with racing on July 25- 26. There will be America's Cup World Series events in 2015-16 with AC45 catamarans, and the America's Cup Qualifiers, Playoffs and Finals in a new AC Class catamaran will be held in 2017, with the final races in Bermuda. Emirates Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said the re- sponse to securing funding for the challenge had been encouraging. "We have made considerable progress because the Emirates Team New Zealand brand is an in- ternational leader, well recognised in the sport. Emirates airline has been with the team since 2004 and their decision to stay with us is im- portant," said Dalton. Dalton paid tribute to the many sponsors and suppliers – includ- ing Emirates - who have stood by the team in the hard times since the end of the 34th America's Cup in 2013. Emirates flies three A380 serv- ices daily from Auckland to Dubai and beyond via Australia, as well as offering a daily Boeing 777-300ER service from Christchurch. Emirates currently operates daily scheduled flights between Malta and Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus. Banif Bank's staff took part in a Music Quiz and Karaoke night, with thirteen teams going head- to-head in a battle of musical know-how and vocal talent (or lack thereof). With several themes includ- ing 'Around the World', ''Movie Soundtracks' and the crowd- pleasing 'Mighty 90s', the quiz spanned several genres and gen- erations - thereby appealing to the tastes of the many music-lovers in attendance. Questions ranged from the amusingly easy to the perplexingly mind-boggling, as the competition progressed from the group stages to the grueling knockout ties. Af- ter a closely fought final, Mosta Branch United walked away with the prize. The event was held at Extra Time in Mosta, and the intimate space did not allow much room for stage fright as several wannabe rock-stars and pop idols gave their renditions of popular classics. There were the usual karaoke fa- vourites 'Hey Jude' and 'Somebody to Love', the more upbeat 'Greased Lightning' (complete with dance number) and 'Achy Breaky Heart'. It was the roof-raising perform- ance of 'Country Roads' by the Warriors that outdid the rest, with the whole room singing along thanks to their contagious enthu- siasm. This was the first event hosted by this year's Banif Sports and So- cial Committee - a group of five volunteers elected by fellow col- leagues and responsible for organ- ising a number of events through- out the year for Banif staff, friends and family. "We're thrilled with the level of attendance at our first event," said Simon Grech, chair- man of the Committee. "It was a great chance for eve- ryone to let their hair down and mingle in an informal environ- ment. We've got loads of events lined up which will help our team get to know each other a little bet- ter outside the office. What we know now for sure is that most of us are better off sticking to bank- ing rather than singing!" It is not ever y day that one gets honoured with the firing of can- ons at the Saluting Batter y in Valletta. Members of the Frank Salt Real Estate team were treat- ed to this ceremony last Satur- day at the closing of their annual team-building event organised by the company. On the trails of the Knights of St John and the cit y's architec- ture, the team delved into the challenge at hand, solving the perpexling riddles prepared by the organisers. The route took them all around Valletta, all the way from Hastings Gardens and Cit y Gate to Fort St Elmo and the Lower Barraca Gardens. Throughout the course the teams covered most of the icon- ic sites that the European Capi- tal Of Culture 2018 has to offer, answering trivial questions and performing daring tasks along the way. Team building activities are no novelt y to the company's cal- endar of events. With Malta's largest team of propert y people, team building and social activi- ties play an important role in the company's calendar. The Marsascala branch team ultimately won the challenge, followed closely by the San Gwann branch team. 'Our team is composed of over hundred employees, all coming from different walks of life.' says Joseph Lupi, Managing Direc- tor, " but as a team, we overcome such situations and turn them into opportunities. We are a growing family business, and we want to make sure that our em- ployees feel part of this family." "This was a great opportunit y to combine work with fun" added Sandra Aquilina, HR Manager. "We are constantly promoting properties in Valletta and the three cities. We believe that with such properties, one does not only buy the structure but also the heritage that they convey. This event helped us get a better understanding of the streets of Valletta and the gems that this glorious cit y has to offer." The event was organised in collaboration with Outdoor Liv- ing Malta. For more informa- tion about taking up a career at Frank Salt Real Estate one may visit w w w.franksalt.com.mt. Banif's music quiz and karaoke night a hit Frank Salt Real Estate honoured with firing of cannons at Saluting Battery in Valletta The usually placid and inviting pool area of Casa Antonia in Balzan took a more lively turn on Saturday when the resident mothers there were treated to a special Mother's Day celebration that included singing to accomplished piano playing, and delectable eats. And of course the sumptuous Garden Party was given the perfect touch, for the mothers who have made Casa Antonia their residence were joined for the occasion by their loved ones, their family mem- bers. The enjoyable do followed the home's successful Open Weekend. The event, on a breezy but sunny spring morning as Saturday turned out to be, was enlivened by Larissa, who thrilled her audience to time- less classical and jazzy hits that must have evoked lingering memo- ries of the Fifties and the Sixties, with Franco playing the piano as the accomplished musician that he is. And what better way to comple- ment such memories than the deli- cious selection of 1960s style finger food, which was followed by a vari- ety of sweets – white and milk choc- olate éclairs, flavoured macaroons from Whisk Macaroons, and im- qaret, the delicious date confection whose aroma so sharply whets the appetite, while pink prosecco was offered all round. Pot pourri pouch- es made in-house were distributed to all mothers. Sarah Cassar, Casa Antonia Gen- eral Manager, said: "Being Mother's Day, our residents loved reminiscing about their siblings and their own children – how they used to play, to dress and what they loved to bake for the family. At Casa Antonia, we love to celebrate special occasions as they extend a sense of homely feel- ing that is so much appreciated by our residents." Casa Antonia, a 130- bed facility, has established itself as one of Malta's top nursing and resi- dential homes. Further information can be ob- tained on telephone no (+356) 21496277 or via email to info@casa- antonia.com.mt, or visit the website: www.casa-antonia.com.mt A Mother's Day celebration at Casa Antonia The Winning team composed of members from the Marsaskala branch team. From left: Martin Brightwell, Marisa Noles, Joseph Baldacchino, Nicky Sammut, Clifton Barbara, Maria Vella, Sue Wridgway and Clayton Balzan. Emirates renews commitment to Emirates Team New Zealand