Event organizer warms to experience gained at resort

In 2014, Huang Jing decided to take a bold leap into the world of winter sports, despite having no previous experience in this market.

Holding a postgraduate degree in telecommunications from the University of New South Wales in Australia, Huang joined China's fledgling skiing industry after accepting a job as a business manager at Genting Resort Secret Garden, Hebei province.

Eight years later, her decision has proved a game-changer for Huang, who worked as an organizer at the mountain resort in Zhangjiakou, where most of the Beijing Winter Olympics' freestyle skiing and snowboarding events were staged in February.

"I started working in Genting at a time when winter sports were still underdeveloped in China, and our Winter Olympic bid was still a fantasy. Look how far we've come since then," Huang said of the rapid development of winter sports in China after Beijing won the bid for the 2022 Games in July 2015.

"For me, the experience of working from the bidding process to becoming a member of the organizing team at Genting was definitely a huge asset that will benefit my career and life," Huang said.

She is now an ecosystem general manager at the resort responsible for marketing, event planning and operations, business expansion and international cooperation.

Boasting fluent English and experience in the hospitality business and international networking, Huang served as deputy protocol manager at Genting Snow Park during Beijing 2022. She supervised services at the venue's Olympic Family lounge, receptions for VIPs, training for volunteers, and made arrangements for guests to attend ceremonies.

Supported by well-trained volunteers, Huang's team welcomed and took care of more than 2,000 International Olympic Committee officials, representatives from winter sports' governing bodies and National Olympic Committee leaders at the Olympic Family lounge. The visitors watched competitions, cheered for their teams, and attended business meetings.

Although not directly involved in competition operations, Huang took pride from her work, earning high regard from Olympic organizers.

"I believe our work helped build the positive image of a warm and professional host. It also convinced leaders of the international winter sports community that China, despite being a late starter in this respect, has what it takes to master challenges such as hosting major winter sports events," Huang said.

Working on the frontline has its advantages, and Huang witnessed legendary snowboarder Shaun White from the United States in action at Genting Snow Park during the Winter Olympics.

White, 35, a three-time Olympic champion in the sport, failed to win a medal at his fifth and final Winter Games in Beijing. He finished fourth in the men's halfpipe final at Genting on Feb 11, before announcing his retirement from competitive snowboarding.

"To meet him in person, watch his last Games appearance up close, and work with my team to provide him with the service that he spoke so highly of was a lifetime's experience," said Huang, a snow sports fan.

She attributed White's easy-going personality and his interest in local culture to his growing popularity in China.

"An indicator (of his interest in China) is that he really enjoyed the food we provided," Huang said of White's favorite dishes from Sichuan province, which were served at the athletes' restaurant in Genting.

A video of White's snowboarding successes, including footage of him introducing Chinese cuisine such as kung pao chicken and Dan Dan noodles at Genting, went viral on TikTok during the Winter Olympics, prompting a group of international athletes to follow suit.

Thanks to the efforts made by Huang's team, White's connections with China are expected to grow. The Genting resort is working with him to continue promoting snowboarding by jointly hosting a training camp and competitions.

Huang said, "Following the Olympics, we are committed to building Genting into a world-famous snow sports destination, especially for snowboarders from around the world.

"We have the advantages of Olympic-standard slopes, professional operations and huge market potential. We believe that with the input from Shaun White's team, and his proven reputation as the sport's master, we can make this a perfect combination for developing snowboarding and his brand in China."

With public demand growing for fun and affordable experiences on the slopes, the Genting venue will continue working with neighboring resorts and business partners, including Bank of China, to provide more choices for ski passes, with discounts being offered, along with access to more slopes, Huang added.