The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors businesses, communities, or organizations that have 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 Star designation.
Each 2013 winner receives a $1,000 credit to use in any of the Department of Tourism’s cooperative advertising programs in 2014.
Two George S. Mickelson Great Service Awards were presented for 2013.
“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
Black Hills Central Reservations
Governor Dennis Daugaard and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2013 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award
to Mike Derby, Trevor Bryan and Gwyn Wathen,
representing Black Hills Central Reservations,
at the 2014 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Black Hills Central Reservations’ theme is “I Can Help You With That.” This mantra helps reinforce a hospitality philosophy and mission, which is to give outstanding service and connect people to South Dakota’s greatest travel opportunities through professional travel planning and online deals.
Black Hills Central Reservations agents undergo extensive and ongoing training which, during 20013, included 100 percent of the staff completing the Department of Tourism’s online customer service training, on-site company training and familiarization tours of local lodging properties and attractions.
Staff is rewarded with company-hosted appreciation lunches, seasonal parties, incentives, prizes and bonuses. They are also involved in community outreach programs that include fundraising and volunteering at major Black Hills events.
(BHCR is the non-corporate category winner. This category recognizes smaller hospitality businesses that do not have access to a larger corporate training program.)
And,
Presented to
Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza
Governor Dennis Daugaard and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2013 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award
to Cheryl Gabert, Luke Lester, Rocky Lester and Savannah Brecht,
representing Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Rapid City,
at the 2014 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
The Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza’s mission is to “wow” their guests.
A key element of their on-going hospitality training is having managers and supervisors work side-by-side, daily, with company associates. This empowers all employees to correct any guest issue.
The Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza has utilized the Department of Tourism’s online hospitality training, as well as their own corporate training programs. It has also hired a professional trainer to come to the hotel to provide additional guest service management.
Staff is rewarded for providing great customer service with quarterly employee rallies where service achievements and anniversaries are celebrated. The employee break room is an area where team members are encouraged to interact and share ideas for giving great service.
This award recognizes the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza for all they do to provide the best possible visitor experience.
(HIRP is the corporate category winner.)
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 2013 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: Akta Lakota Museum at St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain; Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Sioux Falls; Big Thunder Gold Mine, Keystone; ClubHouse Hotel & Suites, Sioux Falls; Comfort Suites Hotel & Convention Center, Rapid City; Country Inn & Suites, Watertown; Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse; Custer State Park, Custer; Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City; Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rapid City; Redlin Art Center, Watertown; South Dakota State Parks, Pierre/statewide; Wylie Park, Aberdeen; and Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Mount Rushmore Memorial, Keystone.