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 2012 winner receives a $1,000 credit to use in any of the Department of Tourism’s cooperative advertising programs in 2013.
Two George S. Mickelson Great Service Awards were awarded for 2012.
“We thank these leaders for their commitment to excellent customer service,” the Governor said. “This dedication to hospitality and customer satisfaction makes South Dakota a place worth remembering.”
Presented to
South Dakota State Parks,
Department of Game, Fish and Parks
Governor Dennis Daugaard and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2012 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award
to staff from the South Dakota State Parks
at the 2013 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
South Dakota State Parks has been working for several years to get all of its 62 separate entities approved as Great Service Star designees.
In 2012, they reached 100 percent, even though they must annually train 1,000 permanent, seasonal and volunteer staff members.
South Dakota State Parks recognizes its employees for outstanding service by rewarding them with family picnics, holiday gatherings, game nights and awards.
They also believe that our guests’ good experiences make them lifetime ambassadors for South Dakota.
And,
Presented to
Holiday Inn City Centre
Governor Dennis Daugaard and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2012 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award
to staff from the Holiday Inn City Centre of Sioux Falls
at the 2013 Governor's Conference on Tourism.downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
The Holiday Inn City Centre, Sioux Falls, trains its employees on every aspect of customer service with its in-house Stay Real program.
This allows the associate to experience what a guest would experience from check-in to check-out – giving them a sense of how to better serve the hotel’s real customers.
Employees are recognized for their efforts through quarterly associate parties and the annual weeklong Celebrate Service Event, in which associates are honored with gifts, meals and awards.
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 2012 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:
Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Sioux Falls; Black Hills Central Reservations, Deadwood; ClubHouse Hotel & Suites, Sioux Falls; Comfort Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Rapid City; Country Inn & Suites, Watertown; Pioneer Auto Show & Prairie Town, Murdo; Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City; Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rapid City; Redlin Art Center, Watertown; Reptile Gardens, Rapid City; Wylie Park, Aberdeen; and Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Keystone.
