South Dakota Office of Tourism - www.sdvisit.com
   
 

Great Service Star Program

Great Service Star Logo

About the Program

The Great Service Star Program is designed to identify and recognize businesses that complete a set of criteria for hospitality training of their employees, offer a comment mechanism for visitors, and recognize employees for great service. Participants meeting the criteria will be awarded a star symbol for use in marketing their business and to demonstrate to visitors their commitment to "Great Service".

Applicants must submit an official Great Service Star Program application form by the first Friday in October. The STAR designation is awarded for the following calendar year. One business is chosen, annually from the submitted applications, to receive the George S. Mickelson Great Service Award. The Mickelson Award is announced and presented at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism held in January.
 

Qualification

To qualify for the Great Service Star designation, your must already have the following in place:

  1. Employee Hospitality Training

    One of the following is required:

    • Attend the Governor's Conference on Tourism.

    • Complete the Online Customer Service Training

    • Attend a professional training seminar sponsored by a Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, community, development corporation or state agency.

    • Hire a professional trainer to do on-site training.

    • Use your company's corporate training program.

    • Your own training.

  2. Visitor Comment Mechanism

    Provide an opportunity for visitor feedback through the use of comment cards, evaluation sheets or on-line forms.

     

  3. Recognition for Employees

    Reward employees who have been recognized as providing great hospitality service in one or more of the following ways:

    • Nominate employee for a Governor's Hospitality Certificate.

    • In-house recognition such as newsletter, bulletin board, employee of the month.

    • Present awards or recognize employee at a staff gathering.

    • Develop other ways to recognize and reward employees.

Previous Great Service Star Recipients

Use the links below to view previous Service Star recipients.

 

FOR INFORMATION

Please contact Eileen Bertsch for more information at 605-773-3301 or  Eileen.Bertsch@state.sd.us.