Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2006
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It’s What’s Up Front That Counts
Host Awards recognize excellence in hospitality
Atlantic City is continuing to grow with new amenities, new attractions, new conventions and new rooms for visitors. Whether it's the non-stop entertainment, beach bars, shopping, restaurants or the casinos, you can find what you're looking for in Atlantic City, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. But while Atlantic City is "Always Turned On" with all these new amenities, it is still the people who work in the city day in and day out who really make Atlantic City shine. They open the door for the couple visiting from Ohio. They deal the next winning poker hand. They make sure everyone's dinner is served just right. They make sure Atlantic City is the vacation destination to be remembered by the 33 million people who visit each year.
That's why nine years ago the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority created the Atlantic City Host Awards—to recognize and honor those workers who go above and beyond the call of duty each day. Each Host Award nominee represents the best of the best. And each 14-karat gold, custom-designed lighthouse lapel pin given out every year distinguishes award winners as beacons of hospitality.
Close to 300 people in the hospitality industry are nominated by managers each year. The Atlantic City Host Awards Committee narrows the field of nominees down to five finalists in each category and the winners for each category are announced during a banquet, to take place this year on Wednesday, May 10, in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.
Even more people can win this year, because the number of categories for the Host Awards has increased. The normal 19 categories have been redefined and expanded to include 22 different categories, including Best Casino Games Personnel, Best Casino Support Personnel, Best Public Area Personnel and Best Cashier.
Managers, do you know a server in a restaurant or casino who consistently personifies exemplary customer service? How about a retail associate or valet? Well, here's your chance to reward someone for doing more than just his or her job. Employees, here is your chance to shine. Remind your managers how great your hospitality skills are so you can get the recognition you deserve. Host Award nominations are due by March 24.
Of course, one of the highlights of the Host Awards is the presentation of the "Spirit of Hospitality" award honoring an outstanding individual who has made a significant long-term contribution to the hospitality industry. Last year's Spirit of Hospitality award winner was talk show host, columnist and local celebrity Pinky Kravitz. Past winners include James A. Crawford, former executive director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority; Don Guardian, executive director of the Atlantic City Special Improvement District; and Atlantic City historian and author Vicki Gold Levi. Who will it be this year? You'll have to wait until May 10 to find out.
New this year is a program book that will allow for advertisement space to be purchased, for businesses to support nominees. Purchase space in the Host Awards program book and give a "shout out" to all the nominees and the winners. Those interested in advertisement space should contact Host Awards Committee Chairwoman Jacqueline Carole.
Yes, what keeps visitors coming back to Atlantic City are all the attractions we have to offer. But what else keeps them coming back are the special people honored each year who make Atlantic City feel like a home away from home for millions of visitors. It's time once again to recognize each and every one of them at the Atlantic City Host Awards.
For more information regarding the Host Awards or for a nomination form, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com and click on the Host Awards logo, or contact Jacqueline Carole at (609) 449-7174 or e-mail jcarole@accva.com.
