Service award program revamped, reinstated
A new and improved version of the Butler County Service Excellence Awards will honor those in the service industries who provide exemplary assistance to customers.
The county Tourism and Convention Bureau announced Tuesday that the award program has been redesigned and made more equitable since it was last carried out in 2017 and 2018.
“Recognizing exceptional customer service is paramount to enhancing the Butler County visitor’s experience,” said Jack Cohen, tourism bureau president. “By focusing on the fundamentals of a great customer experience, we want to cultivate an environment where excellent customer service is recognized and rewarded county wide.”
Tourism bureau spokesman Jeff Marinelli explained that instead of the public nominating those in the service industry as in past years, the tourism bureau has divided the county into seven districts and created a panel of seven “Ambassadors of Excellence” who will each be assigned a district.
Each ambassador has some expertise in the service industry and has been chosen by the tourism bureau, he said.
The ambassadors will visit businesses in their assigned district, and those employees who provide exceptional service will be nominated for the award when they are given a pin by the ambassador, Martinelli said.
Ambassadors will not identify themselves until a pin is given to an employee.
All nominees will be announced at an awards dinner on Saturday, Sept. 17, and will receive a $25 tourism bureau gift certificate and certificate of appreciation, said Martinelli.
One grand prize winner will be awarded $500 in gift certificates and two runners up will receive $250 each in gift certificates.
“Butler County is a special place with special people,” Cohen said. “When employees display outstanding customer service skills, they should be recognized because they are a reflection of what we’re all about.”
