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VocationVacations® - Hilton HHonors® Rewards



Pro Wrestling Ringside Manager
American Wrestling Association
Various Cities
Reward Code: VVWRST
Hilton HHonors® Points: 520,000

Would you rather wrestle in the big ring rather than feeling you have to wrestle through every day at the office? Would you like to know what really goes on behind the scenes at a professional wrestling match before it’s time to “shake hands and come out fighting?” Do you fantasize about being in the spotlight before 10,000 screaming fans who are waiting to hear what you have to say? Wonder or fantasize no more. Sign on for a VocationVacation® with AWA Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and you will learn what it takes to “get ready to rumble!”

The American Wrestling Association (AWA) dates back to 1960 when Vern Gagne, an accomplished wrestler himself, and Wally Karbo, a well-known wrestling promoter, founded the organization with the goal of bringing a unified approach to the business of wrestling. In 1996, the Association was renamed AWA Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and became a tour-based destination event company.

Dale Gagne, former director of talent and events for the original organization and the current President and CEO of AWA Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., was instrumental in launching the new AWA which offers family-friendly wrestling events in 27 sanctioned markets throughout the United States as well as in Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Focusing on small-to-medium-size markets, AWA is committed to it fans and to presenting reasonably-priced entertainment for the entire family. Audiences at AWA events have the opportunity to meet the wrestlers, shake their hands, ask for an autograph, or snap a photo. “We want our fans to have fun with our ‘characters’,” says Gagne. “There are always good guys and bad guys whether it is wrestling match, a Shakespearean play or a television mini series. The fun comes in seeing who is the smartest or the strongest and comes out on top when that ‘final bell’ rings.”

Currently, AWA represents between 26 - 30 wrestlers and has an impressive roster which over the years has included – Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Nick Bockwinkle and Curt Hennig, to name a few.

Headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, the AWA home office houses a small staff of four who are supported by more than 30 employees across the country who fill a variety of roles in the company. “In our business, you had better be prepared to be flexible, enjoy people, and be a naturally fun person,” says Gagne. “The business is more difficult that it may look and is not for everyone.”

Every staff member plays a critical role in the success of an event. From the event coordinator who gets the show to town, to the personal assistant who gets the talent to the show, to the ring announcer who gets the crowd into the show, everyone “goes to the mat” for the audience. In addition, AWA is committed to making a connection with the communities where its events are held. “It is important to us to give back to these communities and our loyal fans who live there,” says Gagne. To this end, AWA donates a portion of the proceeds from each event to a local non-profit organization.

Gagne has a real passion for wrestling and loves what he does and is proud of the quality of entertainment AWA brings to its fans.” I have been in the business since I was 16 in almost every capacity, including a wrestler. Unfortunately, that part of my career was quite short as I lost my first and only match in 30 seconds,” laughs Gagne. But that didn’t tarnish his admiration for the sport. “Wrestlers are tremendous athletes who move with grace and strength. To me, wrestling is poetry with guys in tights.”

While on your Ringside Manager VocationVacation, you’ll be mentored in some or all of the following activities:
  • Develop an understanding of crowd psychology and how it applies to a live professional wrestling event
  • Be given a “character” to develop, research and integrate into a live event
  • Learn the process of giving effective interviews, promos and drawing “crowd heat”
  • Work directly with talent management and show producers
  • Accompany a wrestler to the ring during a live professional wrestling event
  • Develop and showcase improvisational skills
The American Wrestling Association's VocationVacations dream job holiday includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job
  • The ability to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®), an online personality assessment designed to identify interests and skill sets
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor
Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holiday weekends

To redeem HHonors points for a gift certificate or a VocationVacation, call your nearest Hilton Reservations & Customer Care Office and provide the appropriate Reward Code and your HHonors account number.

Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles®, and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions.

Suggested Accommodations:  Varies by event location

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:
A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacation cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases.  Grounded Nomads, LLC dba VocationVacations encourages all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling.