Author: Erin Crane, Manager, Conferences, University of Lethbridge
“Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”
Abraham Lincoln
Let’s face it, if you seek recognition and want to be praised for a job well done conference planning and hotel management are not the jobs for you!
Our efforts are focused behind the scenes, making sure everything is happening when and how it should. We plan, we implement, we troubleshoot and then we pick up the pieces and put it all back together again when things don’t go as anticipated. It takes a special kind of person to do this job and with that comes the need for enough confidence and self-awareness to know that it could not be done without you.
That being said, we cannot lose sight of how important recognition is to us and to the people who work in our departments. My team has been lucky enough this year to receive numerous accolades for our successful conference and hotel season. It has reminded me how inspiring and motivating it is when your efforts are recognized and praised.
Recognition is not only a great motivator for staff but it can also be a great marketing tool. What better way to advertise your business than in an article where they talk about how your facilities and how your efforts made a difference and an impact on an event. It is the best testimonial you can have.
There are many ways to show recognition so I’ve listed a few for you to consider:
- Seek out city wide awards for tourism and customer service. Attached is a link to our local awards. http://www.exploresouthwestalberta.ca/blog-detail.asp?ID=674. Check with your Destination Marketing Organization or Chamber of Commerce to see what your city offers.
- Create your own in-house awards. Our student team developed a recognition award last year that was awarded at our monthly meeting. Each staff member had to write down an outstanding effort made by someone else on the team. Each one was read aloud and the person who had the most, won the recognition award. This was a great system as everyone who had done something outstanding was recognized even if they didn’t walk away with a prize.
- Nominate yourself or someone on your team for your internal University awards. Even if you don’t win it is nice to be nominated.
- Don’t forget that CUCCOA has awards that are presented at the National Conference. Please nominate someone and pass on the recognition.
Erin Crane, Manager, Conferences, University of Lethbridge
Telephone: 403-329-2417
Email: erin.crane@uleth.ca
