Employer Spotlight

" Every summer, for the past seven years, Tucson Guide has provided its readers with a comprehensive list of Best of winners, from best places to dine and shop at to the best attractions Tucson and Southern Arizona have to offer. In the past, we’ve polled local celebrities, hotel concierges, and our own writers, but for our eighth edition, we decided to ask the folks who know Tucson best—Certified Tourism Ambassadors! Their response was amazing, and we were thrilled to receive such a mix of favorites among Tucson’s best. We were equally excited to see that the results consisted of mainly Tucson and Southern Arizona businesses—we like to promote local as much as we can, and it turns out, CTAs do, too. "

" I just completed the CTA training program on Wednesday, and enjoyed it a great deal. For a newcomer like me, this was an added benefit that helped accelerate my acclimation to a new city. Best of luck as you roll this out to additional cities! "

" The CTA classes were very beneficial for the participants from Old Tucson Studios. Our staff gets asked numerous questions that relate to tourism in the area, and it’s great to have this solid foundation of knowledge. We wholeheartedly support the precept behind this program and appreciate that the Tucson tourism industry is embracing the synergy that comes from each of us being ambassadors for the entire area. "

" The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa and the Tucson Ambassador Program have become great partners. We currently have 16 associates who have completed the program including our Concierges and Front Office Managers and we strongly support the education and knowledge they have gained and can share with our guests. We have encouraged our third party vendors to send their associates as well so they can benefit form this education of the community. We will continue to send associates and encourage businesses to do the same. "

" We know that our associates having current tourism information at their finger tips allow us to offer excellent customer service. This will bring repeat business to not only the bookstores but the entire southern Arizona community and cannot help but increase the positive experience for our visitors. Not only has the opportunity to participate in the Tucson Ambassador Program been a benefit to our organization, but our Associates know how to readily find Tucson information: they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to attend the certification session. "

" By incorporating the CTA Program as a requirement for the Front Desk and Activities Department we have seen a dramatic increase in customer service as well as area awareness. This has also helped in our employees career progression. "

" We selected a core group of Yellow Customer Service employees including the vital taxi starters that contact our customers at main points; our bus station and our train station. Our CTA’s have a swagger, a smile, and a renewed sense of “Baltimore City Pride”. From extending ourselves to help stranded or wandering tourists in our city, to thanking patrons for visiting Baltimore and encouraging them to come again soon; our starters, customer service staff and drivers have gone to the next level. Thanks again for the program. We are looking forward to enrolling hundreds more. Travel safe. "

" Mike Schneider was surprised and pleased with the “very high quality” of information in the Milwaukee CTA Program. Mike was so “sold”, that he put many of his employees through the program. Their phone reservationists and drivers have commented that they enjoyed their CTA class and materials and feel that they have benefited greatly from both. Airport Connection pays the certification fee for each employee and gives them $50 cash for completing the program! They also pay the annual renewal fee for their CTA’s. He feels that the cost per employee is exceptionally reasonable…actually a bargain! "

" Stacie Lancaster, Lead Guest Service Agent at the Hampton Inn – Milwaukee Airport, has been a CTA almost a year. “I thought I knew my city!” she said. “But I learned so much about our history, our cultural and ethnic heritage, and the geography of our region that I didn’t know. I fell in love with the program!” Stacie is so enthusiastic, that she started recruiting other employees at her hotel. She says all employees could benefit from becoming CTA’s – even maintenance staff and housekeepers. Her enthusiasm helped her General Manager make the decision to put all new hires through the program! "

" Robin continually demonstrates a commitment to excellence and customer service. In addition, she finds new ways to develop her staff and maintain professionalism. She is always stepping it up! She signed up the the majoritiy of the Front Desk staff, as well as, the Executive Directors for this program! We love her dearly, what a gift we have for a Manager! "