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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For more information, please contact:
Mary-Ellen Willard, Director of Tourism (519) 622-2336 #2224
e-mail: willard@cambridgetourism.com
(Cambridge, Ontario, December 10, 2003) On
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Cambridge Tourism presented
three annual Tourism Industry Awards. As part of The
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce & Cambridge Tourism Annual
General Meeting, held at Whistle Bear Golf Club, Cambridge
Tourism recognized three outstanding recipients for their
contribution and dedication to the Tourism Industry.
Individuals were chosen based on nominations received from
Tourism Partners.
Carol Walsh from the Holiday Inn Cambridge
was presented with the 2003 Outstanding Long Service Award.
This individual has provided a minimum of 15 years of
exceptional service in the Tourism industry. The award
winner will have contributed to the enhancement of the
industry by upholding high standards of service through the
various positions held, throughout their career.
Carol began her tourism career in 1981, and
has been a dedicated and valued employee of the Holiday Inn
Cambridge for the past 21 years. During that time she has
held many positions including Reservations Manager,
Assistant Front desk manager, Acting Guest Services Manager,
Catering Sales Administrator and currently as Group Sales
Coordinator. She has demonstrated superior customer service
having been recognized twice with the Holiday Inn Crystal
Star Award. Over the years she has given VIP service to
famous guests including Gordie Howe, Ricky Nelson, Chris
Farley and Brian Mulroney. All of who gave her personal
notes of thanks. In fact, there’s a long list of hotel
regulars and sports teams that will only deal with Carol and
she always takes the time to personally handle their
requests. Having traveled the world herself, Carol brings
knowledge and understanding of what travelers need and what
it takes to truly achieve guest satisfaction.
First Pro Shopping Centres, was presented
with the 2003 Tourism Impact Award. This individual or
business has made a noticeable impact on Tourism in our
community either economically and/or developmentally.
There is no mistaking the impact that First
Pro Shopping Centres has had on tourism in our community. On
any given day you can see the volume of traffic coming off
the 401 and entering the First Pro Shopping Centre site.
Shopping has always been ranked the number one “thing to do”
for visitors experiencing any destination and with the
addition of this outlet-shopping venue to our community, we
have been able to attract many new visitors. Some of the
most successful chain stores and restaurants have located on
this site, including The Keg, Old Navy, and The Future Shop.
Their development has attracted investors on the Knob Hill
site to bring even more opportunity to stimulate local
tourism economy. In addition, First Pro also understands the
impact of quality customer service on repeat visitation to
our community. For this reason they have generously
sponsored a grass roots customer service program that
honours tourism individuals and businesses throughout the
area. The success of this program has created new business
for many of our tourism partners
Best Western St. Jacobs Country Inn was
presented with the award for the 2003 Best Employee Training
& Development. This company has shown a strong commitment to
employee training and development, which has been
demonstrated through the knowledge and, quality of service
provided by its entire staff.
The success of the Best Western St.Jacobs
Country Inn is directly related to its General Manager’s
commitment to training and customer service. Larry Martin
left the Stone Crock Group in 1996 to build and manage the
Best Western St.Jacobs Country Inn. Although the Best
Western Internationals customer service training was
optional, Larry immediately chose to implement their
Signature Training Services at this hotel. In addition, his
property has won the prestigious “Chairman’s Award for
Excellence” in each of 2000, 2001, and 2002. Larry
encourages all of his staff to anticipate and understand
their customer’s needs and to make every effort to meet
them. He also empowers his staff at every level to solve all
visitor concerns to their customer’s satisfaction. Larry
unquestionably leads by example. Staff agree that there is
no one more willing to go above and beyond “the call of
duty” to look after a visitor. Larry has been known to pay a
refund out of his own pocket for an unsatisfied customer who
stayed at another accommodation, to ensure that they would
make a return visit to our community. From using his van to
personally escort visitors around the area to de-icing
windshields in his hotel parking lot, Larry truly
understands the value of exceptional customer service and
the importance of investing in training for his staff.
Award winners were presented with a
personalized custom-designed Cambridge Tourism plaque.
Cambridge Tourism wishes to congratulate all of the nominees
and award winners!
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Cambridge Tourismm
750 Hespeler Road, Cambridge ON N3H 5L8 • 1-800-749-7560 •
www.cambridgetourism.com
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