Hospitality Summer Games in Santa Barbara builds teamwork and is a showcase for service
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Striving to be the best at guest services on all levels, the hotel and hospitality workers are taking part in the "Hospitality Summer Games" in Santa Barbara.
Ten teams were involved.
They are competing at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort in the rotunda area.
The agility and performance competitions involved service duties they are required to do at various levels for their guests.
This includes balancing trays of drinks on a course, a bed making race, creative cake decorating, golf putting and a talent show.
This competition is building teamwork and also having the workers meet their counterparts from other properties.
Hotel Californian General Manager Warren Nocon said, "we want them to understand how much they are valued not just by the guest, hopefully the guest is showing that to them, but by their management, by their directors, by their owners, by the community of Santa Barbara."
After taking part in an event, Hotel Californian Employee Riley Mayo said, "I love it. I think it is a good way to bring people together especially for everyone in the industry and it's a fun time."
The winner of the bed making, Yesi Jaime from the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachside Resort spoke through her supervisor, Johel Minaya who said, "she says because she feels really good. She's an expert and she loves her job."
The event is taking place after Labor Day, the traditional end to the summer tourist season, even though summer is not over until later this month.
It started in 2018 after the mudflow disaster and a slow down in the industry. It was to boost the employee morale across the board but after that, the pandemic hit, causing another set back.
Judges included Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez and Eric Friedman along with Goleta City Councilmember James Kyriaco.
The teams competing were from:
Hotel Californian
Mar Monte by Hyatt
The Leta
Rosewood Miramar
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachside Resort
Ojai Valley Inn
El Encanto a Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Inn
Kimpton Canary Hotel
Visit Santa Barbara
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