The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors a business or organization
that has taken hospitality to the next level. Exemplary customer service is a
core component of the winner’s operation, and recipients of this award
understand that customer satisfaction is a key to success.
The 2007 winner receives a $1,000 credit to use in any of the Office of
Tourism’s cooperative advertising programs in 2008.
Two George S. Mickelson Great Service Awards were awarded for 2007:
The Redlin Art Center, Watertown, is one of 84 businesses that received the
Office of Tourism’s Great Service Star designation for 2008. That’s 84
businesses across the state that are recognized for going above and beyond the
norm to provide first-class service.
The Redlin Art Center goes above and beyond in establishing relationships with
visitors, as is evidenced by the fact that 50 percent of them are repeat
visitors. The Redlin Art Center works to establish life-long friendships with
their guests, and the staff knows many of them by name. In fact, during hunting
season, many out-of-state hunters stop in just to say hello and see what’s new.
The Redlin Art Center not only recognizes the value of its visitors, but also
the value of each of its employees, encouraging regular hospitality staff
training and attendance at the tourism conference. All employees are
cross-trained in every department, and they work together as a team to ensure
the best service possible.
Employees are regularly recognized through certificates and commemorative pins
and are featured in the local newspaper. In 2007, ten employees received the
Governor’s Hospitality Certificates.
In the words of one of their customers, “You were exceedingly kind and exceeded
all usual bounds of courtesy and helpfulness.”
And,
Presented to
Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort
Governor Mike Rounds presents the 2007 George S. Mickelson
Great Service Award to Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort.
Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort and AmericInn Hotel & Suites, Deadwood, has also
displayed exceptional hospitality and shown that exemplary customer service and
staff training are high priorities.
Their hospitality philosophy states that “customers are not an interruption of
our work. They are the purpose of it. WE are not doing them a favor by serving
them. They are doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so.”
Recognition for a job well done includes service pins and being listed in the
employee newsletter. Every month, nominations are made for the “All Star”
employee, which is awarded quarterly. Managers also award “Star Bucks” which
employees can use to purchase meals, hotel stays and gift shop items. In 2007,
47 employees received the Governor’s Hospitality Certificates, which are framed
and displayed on the property.
Cadillac Jack’s hired a professional trainer for in-house hospitality training,
and holds monthly department meetings at which staff suggestions for improvement
of customer service are encouraged and incorporated. It's no wonder that the
staff does such a tremendous job. In the words of one visitor, “Good staff makes
all the difference in how I remember and enjoy my experience.”
The 12 distinguished finalists for 2007 were…the Best Western Ramkota Hotel &
Conference Center in Sioux Falls, Best Western Sundowner Inn in Hot Springs,
Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort & AmericInn Hotel in Deadwood, Cedar Shore Resort
in Chamberlain, Clubhouse Hotel & Suites in Sioux Falls, Country Inn & Suites by
Carlson in Rapid City, Deadwood Gulch Resort in Deadwood, Great Plains Zoo and
Delbridge Museum in Sioux Falls, Lake Park Campground and Cottages in Rapid
City, Redlin Art Center in Watertown, Akta Lakota Museum at St. Joseph Indian
School in Chamberlain, and Wylie Park in Aberdeen.
