BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Canadian-based “You’re Welcome Edmonton Award” has seen a product of St. Kitts-Nevis for the first time nominated to be eligible to win the prestigious hotel’s service-based award.
Renee Stevens of Sandy Point, St. Kitts has been entered into the history of Edmonton Marriott as the first Kittitian nominated for this award, signifying her excellence displayed in the service industry. Stevens, a former employee of three years at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, was transferred to Edmonton Marriott, Canada in October of 2007 where she was able to hone her skills and steadily climb the ranks of the service sector there.
In November of last year, the ambitious Sandy Pointer earned the title Employee of the Month at the Edmonton Marriott and was since identified as an ideal candidate to receive the You’re Welcome Edmonton Award.
According to Stevens, she began working as a Guest Service Agent and within a year was given the opportunity to be a Certified Trainer for the front office, making her responsible for training all new staff and equipping them with the necessary skill and knowledge to deliver the “Marriott standard”.
In early spring, nominees were interviewed to share their service expertise and experiences via predetermined questions. The meeting was then scored based on their responses to specific questions and nominees with the highest tabulated scores in their specific job categories would be selected as award finalists.
“I am very honoured to be the first Kittitian and the only Kittitian be nominated for the Welcome Edmonton Award. My interview with the Alberta Tourism Board was very successful and I am very confident enough that I will win the award and make the hotel proud of my accomplishments,” Stevens told SKNVibes.
The young Stevens informed that her goal is to continue marketing herself and the Federation’s tourism product, adding that it is her dream to return as the General Manager of the St. Kitts Resort. Stevens stated that she intends to continue taking advantage of Marriott’s structured programmes and courses as she continues to strive for excellence in order to reap success.
“The motto from the Sandy Point High: Scholastic Perseverance Harvests Success (SPHS) is my daily motivator that encourages me to work hard and achieve nothing but the best. I am very proud of my achievements and the contributions that I have made thus far. It is not an easy road but knowing what one wants and being very determined, he/she must be successful in the end,” Stevens told SKNVibes.
Stevens thanked her family and mentors, Waveny Henry and Fabian Bornefeld of the St. Kitts Marriott, for their support and guidance. She encouraged her former co-workers to “continue being proud ambassadors of the Marriott, learn as much as you can, elevate yourselves and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities of working for a multi-national company!”
The actual Award Ceremony is slated for tomorrow (Apr. 22) at Edmonton’s Winspear Centre for Music, and has been described as the “Academy Awards for the Service Industry”. The ceremony includes red carpet treatment, talented emcees, entertainment and anticipation and excitement to see if the Award would be claimed for the first time by a Kittitian.
