The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors a business, community, or organization that has done an exemplary job of exceeding visitors’ expectations in customer service. It marks the culmination of a yearly hospitality program that involves hospitality training, customer comment cards, an employee recognition program, and an application for the Great Service Award.
Each 2010 winner receives a $1,000 credit to use in any of the Office of Tourism’s cooperative advertising programs in 2011.
Two George S. Mickelson Great Service Awards were awarded for 2010:
Presented to
Aberdeen Parks and Recreation,
Wylie Park
Governor Dennis Daugaard presents the 2010 George S. Mickelson
Great Service Award to Aberdeen Parks and Recreation, Wylie Park,
at the 2011 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Aberdeen Parks and Recreation, Wylie Park is an organization that strives to provide great service to the smallest of visitors. They teach their employees to be role models for children, as well as how to be strong team players.
By focusing on three principles - communication, contribution and celebration - Aberdeen Parks and Recreation, Wylie Park has created a service culture that helps its employees succeed well beyond their seasonal employment.
Ninety-eight percent of their staff have taken the Office of Tourism's free on-line customer service training. Their consultant, Dee Dee Rapp, penned an e-book for them entitle Serving Little People: Strategies to Achieve Great Service with Children. The book features tips and techniques by several of their seasonal staff, as well as interviews with full-time staff.
And,
Presented to
Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort
Governor Dennis Daugaard presents the 2010 George S. Mickelson
Great Service Award to Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort
at the 2011 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort posts their service philosophy right on the front door - "Extraordinary customer service is not only our standard, it's our way of life."
To achieve this, employees participate in familiarization tours of attractions and activities in their community so they can tell visitors what there is to see and do.
New employees complete the Office of Tourism's free on-line customer service training within one week of being hired, and many of them also take part in giving back to the community through charitable organizations.
Employees who give great customer service are rewarded with Gulch Bucks, Employee of the Month parking spaces, cash, holiday family parties, ski passes and numerous other gifts.
Thank you to all of our industry members who participate in the Great Service Star program and to all industry staff who go above and beyond in the name of great service. Here are the finalists for the 2010 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award. In addition to the winners, these finalists deserve a big thank you for all they do to make our visitors feel welcome: the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Rapid City; Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City; Ramada Convention Center, Aberdeen; Best Western Kelly Inn, Yankton; Division of Parks & Recreation - South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, statewide; Custer State Park, Custer; Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain/Oacoma; and Black Hills Central Reservations, Deadwood.