Southwest Gas plays hard during citywide competition
LAS VEGAS—Employees at Southwest Gas Corp. in Las Vegas have been working hard—dodging balls, shooting arrows, swinging bats, swimming, playing chess and even fencing.
It’s just another day at the office—considering that the utility is participating in a citywide Olympics-style competition.
The City of Las Vegas Corporate Challenge is an event the city has sponsored since 1985 and now attracts 18,000 participants from 125 southern Nevada-area companies, including Southwest Gas, who compete in more than 40 events.
Corporate Challenge is not only good for employees’ physical and mental well-being, but it “also builds relationships throughout the company and with coworkers who may not normally work with each other on a regular basis, by interacting through this program,” Kathleen Ashley, Southwest Gas’ Corporate Challenge coordinator and management assistant, System Integrity, told American Gas. Events are held from March through May.
About 200 Southwest Gas employees participate every year. Events such as the 5K race and the walk race have upwards of 40 participants from Southwest Gas alone. Some enthusiastic employees participate in more than 20 events each.
“Our employees enjoy being involved,” Ashley said. “This year, for the first time, we hosted a Corporate Challenge Pep Rally to build enthusiasm in our employees. Our President and CEO, John Hester, spoke to endorse participation in the annual events and to continue to build the camaraderie these types of occasions allow. We enjoy the opportunity to spend time with our colleagues outside of work in friendly activities.”