Tourism Red Deer is introducing a new platform for its Red Hat Awards, which celebrate the hospitality and tourism industries.
The redesigned awards will still acknowledge great customer service but will introduce other important elements, such as outstanding partnerships and packaging, as well as product enhancement and promotion.
Eight awards will be presented: Leadership Awards for accommodation, event/attraction/festival and restaurant; a Marketing Excellence Award; a Marketing Partnership Award, and Service Excellence Awards for accommodation, event/attraction/festival and restaurant.
The Leadership Award is designed to showcase a tourism business’s focus on customer service, new programs or product enhancement.
The Marketing Excellence Award will recognize those that have been innovative in promoting their business and to honour one of Red Deer’s tourism partners that have enhanced the experience of Red Deer and its reputation through their marketing efforts.
The Marketing Partnership Award will focus on marketing program activities or campaigns.
The Service Excellence Award will be given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.
Tourism organizations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to put forward their own nominations for these awards. Consumers will still be encouraged to participate by acknowledging and nominating businesses or individuals that have delivered an outstanding experience during their stay in Red Deer.
Nomination forms will be available through all tourism partners in Red Deer and Red Deer County.
The project or initiative must have been implemented between November 2010 and November 2012.
Forms for the public nominations can be accessed at www.TourismRedDeer.com.
Full details and nomination forms for industry participation are available at TourismRedDeer.com/Industry.
Nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.
The awards will be handed out the third week of May 2013 in conjunction with National Tourism Week.
Along with the awards event, Tourism Red Deer will organize a free interactive workshop designed to teach hospitality and tourism staff some of the best things to know about Red Deer.
Participants will discover Red Deer’s interesting history, be able to identify local landmarks and become aware of attractions and services available to visitors.
Participants will earn a “Red Hat Experience Expert” pin and certificate acknowledging their unique local knowledge.
Red Deer attractions will provide facility passes so participants can discover first-hand the many experiences, facilities and attractions available to visitors.
Participants will track their visits so they can earn a Red Deer Experience Superstar certificate and become eligible for the Experience Expert Grand Prize, which will include a weekend luxury package of hotel, spa and dinner certificates.