The Couples Tower Isle annual staff awards ceremony was short of nothing on Wednesday, April 13. It was fun-filled with great entertainment, fellowship and genuine acknowledgement for the several employees from all areas of the hotel’s operations that were recognized for their performance in 2015.
The hotel’s annual staff awards ceremony was held at the Eight Rivers Restaurant on the hotel’s property in Tower Isle, St. Mary.
The awards were aimed at recognizing the hard work of staff members in 2015 and long service by employees.
In responding to minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett’s renewal of the ‘human capital’ comment, on April 9, as he outlined the five pillars on which the tourism ministry and its agencies will seek to transform the island’s tourism sector, general manager of Couples Tower Isle, Leonard Henry explained that the human resources at the hotel were not dead, but very vibrant.
“It (the human resource) is not dead or limping along, but is very vibrant. We will continue to reward our human resources… Today we celebrate that hard work,” Mr Henry said, while lauding the workers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Gary Stephens, vice president of operations, in also praising the employees, gave special acknowledgement to those staff members who were there with the company fifteen years ago. He noted that it was their efforts that helped in making the hotel what it is today. “Couples Tower Isle is the leader in service standards and that credit is due to your hard work and fantastic job,” he said.
The guest speaker of the evening was the chief executive officer (CEO) of E-Learning Jamaica, Avrill Crawford. In congratulating the awardees and nominees, she told them that they were “aspiring”, “worthy”, “assertive”, “resilient”, “diligent”, “enthusiastic”, and “exceptional.”
Awardees of the evening came from all areas including the kitchen, photo shop and grounds.
Kirk Barriffe of the front office and Alecia Brown of the kitchen walked away with the titles of front of house and back of house star performers, respectively. They received a plaque, a cash award of $15,000, gift voucher, gift item, champagne and a weekend for two at a local resort.
Other awardees included: most active environmental warden, Simone McKenzie of accounts; junior of the manager of the year, Pollyanna Haber from Administration; manager of the year, Carlinton Dodd from the Grounds; most environmentally friendly department, Accounts; team leader of the year, Errol Sewell from the Kitchen; department of the year, Grounds; most mentioned in CSQ, Royan Marsh from Entertainment and most mentioned department on CSQ, Kitchen.
Several persons were awarded for long service. Among those was Clarence Smith from Transportation, who has served the hotel for 35 years.
Entertainment was provided by Silver Bird band, who gave instrumental versions of the latest in popular song, including Nesbeth’s ‘My Dream’, which was a hit with the audience. Dance Expressions dance group also thrilled the audience with their dance moves, while singer Jermaine Robinson ensured that the entertainment package at the awards ceremony did not fall short.
