Mayhem Ball: Belgian rail operator criticised over Mayhem Ball VIP teambuilding

[NewUsername 11,828]

This is a headline today on the radio and in newspapers in Belgium :
 

MINISTER REBUKES INFRABEL OVER EXCLUSIVE LADY GAGA CONCERT TICKETS: “SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT ITS RELEVANCE”

Belgian rail infrastructure company Infrabel should keep its corporate events far more modest, an irritated Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke says. The state-owned company recently took 200 managers to a Lady Gaga concert, allegedly with “expensive VIP tickets for everyone,” according to the left-wing PTB/PVDA party. 

[...]

Infrabel’s top management invited 200 managers to Lady Gaga’s concert [...] . It was a unique outing: the American pop star — known for hits such as Poker Face and Abracadabra — caused a massive rush for tickets, which sold out within hours. Standard tickets ranged from €70 to €200, but in this case VIP tickets were involved, said PTB MP Farah Jacquet. Including parking and catering, those tickets reportedly cost between €300 and €600 each.

[...]

The unusual “teambuilding activity” [...] rubbed Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke [...] the wrong way. The minister plans to send a letter to Infrabel stressing that such events should be much more restrained. “I have serious doubts about the relevance of this choice,” Crucke said in Parliament. “Such an event does not seem to me the most appropriate way to achieve internal cohesion objectives — certainly not in a context where exemplary public spending is essential.”

 

“ESSENTIAL VALUES”

Infrabel itself downplayed the controversy surrounding the Lady Gaga tickets. According to the company, the initiative did not cost more than previous teambuilding events, such as attending the Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting or a Cirque du Soleil performance. [...]

The company added that the choice of a Lady Gaga concert was deliberate. “The artist is known for her commitment to inclusivity, respect for diversity, innovation, and openness — values that Infrabel also upholds. These values are essential to ensuring a work environment in which everyone feels respected and encouraged to give their best.”

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binnenland/minister-tikt-infrabel-op-de-vingers-voor-exclusief-lady-gaga-concert-ernstige-twijfels-over-de-relevantie/122044841.html

Edited January 8 by NewUsername

[thatfoxyfeeling 13,436]

Is it taxpayer's money they used to shout 200 managers to Gaga? If not I don't see what the problem is. 

[Nite 5,913]

And my last team building event was sitting in a canoe

[Varys 30,918]

13 minutes ago, thatfoxyfeeling said:

Is it taxpayer's money they used to shout 200 managers to Gaga? If not I don't see what the problem is. 

Yes it’s taxpayers money 

[RAMROD 118,664]

Man, that is corruption in new level 

[Bronco 29,939]

24 minutes ago, thatfoxyfeeling said:

Is it taxpayer's money they used to shout 200 managers to Gaga? If not I don't see what the problem is. 

Its a government owned company so yeah its tax payer funds. 

[SimonBaetens 9,847]

The fact I couldnt get tickets and they did is… interesting.

[Auralegends 9,255]

16 minutes ago, SimonBaetens said:

The fact I couldnt get tickets and they did is… interesting.

This....

(Pre)sale was such a mess and then you read these stories

[Killa 19,015]

Oh Just great. 

[River 130,219]

I mean, if the country is giving them a certain budget for a team building event without limiting their choices, what is the problem here exactly? it's not like they stole this money from the taxpayer.. they were given this money as part of the yearly budget.

[TheEmperor 50]

Gaga staying relevant in my flop country without doing absolutely anything 

[TheEmperor 50]

2 minutes ago, River said:

I mean, if the country is giving them a certain budget for a team building event without limiting their choices, what is the problem here exactly? it's not like they stole this money from the taxpayer.. they were given this money as part of the yearly budget.

Meanwhile we got a budget of around 60 euros per person. And I'm also working for the government  I'm not in the management tho

[PartySick 176,367]

My socialist bones are rattling

[Horny Chicken 11,368]

Who is the gay responsible for this? 

[Ophelia 5,627]

Mayhem ball Antwerp was a mess? wbk