R.O.S.E. Award Winners: LaPorte County, Northwest Indiana

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R.O.S.E. Awards

Winners

R.O.S.E. Award Winners

2012 March ROSE Winner

Angelique George - Angelique George enjoys her job as a server at Ryan's Family Steakhouse in Michigan City. You can tell just by the way she deals with customers, many of whom are regulars who eat there several times a week. It's that enjoyment, which comes through in the friendly way she greets those customers, that allowed her to win the Visit Michigan City LaPorte Convention and Visitors Bureau Recognition of Service Excellence (R.O.S.E.) Award for the month of March. "I usually get to work an hour early so I can talk to my customers," George said. "I have a lot of regulars and I like to give them hugs and to go out of my way to make their experience good. Taking care of them is the main thing." The nomination that won her the March ROSE was glowing, lauding George for her dedication, friendliness, professionalism and genuine interest in her customers. "It's wonderful to get this (award)," she said. "What a wonderful compliment about me. I've never had that before. Working hard does pay off." Winners receive a framed certificate, a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside, and are invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon held each spring with the Porter County tourism bureau. Winners are also invited to ride in classic cars in the LaPorte Jaycees July 4 Parade and the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade.

2012 February ROSE Winner

Denis Jedrysek - Denis Jedrysek doesn't get the opportunity very often to make an impression on visitors to his hotel, but when he does, the night auditor at Microtel Hotel in Michigan City makes it pay off. The overnight manager won the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau's monthly R.O.S.E. Award for the month of February thanks not only to interaction with customers, but to his willingness to pick up the slack at the hotel when it's needed. "Usually after a good night or fun, the customers come in to go to their room really tired, and I'm the face they see," Jedrysek said. "I want to be friendly to everyone and make their stay a good one. I'm always there if they need help, and late at night, a lot of times they do." Jedrysek was nominated for his friendliness with customers, but also for his willingness to come in on off days and off times when other employees can't make it in. The job, his nominator said, is all encompassing and Jedrysek embraces that aspect of the job. "I'm pretty proud (of winning the ROSE) as someone who doesn't get recognized often," he said. The R.O.S.E. Award is given to local people in the service industry who are nominated by customers who fill out a R.O.S.E. card, available at stores and restaurants throughout LaPorte County. Winners receive a framed certificate, a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside, and are invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon held each spring with the Porter County tourism bureau. Winners are also invited to ride in classic cars in the LaPorte Jaycees July 4 Parade and the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade.

2012 January ROSE Winner

Becca Henry - Becca Henry was surprised when she was honored Tuesday with the Visit Michigan City LaPorte Convention and Visitors Bureau's January R.O.S.E. Award. The help she gave the customer who nominated her for the award, after all, is nothing different than how she treats people every day. "It's rewarding," said Henry, who works one day a week at the pharmacy and her other shifts at the service desk at the Kmart in LaPorte. "It feels good to help people. And she was really calm through the whole thing. It was great to help her." Henry was awarded the January R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) thanks to a nomination from a customer Henry helped find Kmart reward points that had been lost in the company's computer system. After working with on-site supervisors and corporate representatives for several minutes to no avail, Henry realized she held a special telephone number she thought might work. She called the number, got a corporate official on the line and immediately was able to find and reinstate the customers' points so the customer could complete which she called in the nomination a "rather sizeable purchase." "I just like helping people so I really wasn't doing anything different," Henry said. The R.O.S.E. Award is given to local people in the service industry who are nominated by customers who fill out a R.O.S.E. card, available at stores and restaurants throughout LaPorte County. Winners receive a framed certificate, a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside, and are invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon held each spring with the Porter County tourism bureau. Winners are also invited to ride in classic cars in the LaPorte Jaycees July 4 Parade and the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade.

2011 december - patrick wright - microtel

2011 December ROSE Winner

Patrick Wright - The wall behind the front desk at Michigan City's Microtel Inn & Suites is filling up quickly thanks to host Patrick Wright. On Thursday, Wright was awarded with his 6^th R.O.S.E. Award, an honor given by the Visit Michigan City LaPorte Convention and Visitors Bureau to local customer services agents who are nominated by customers. Winners receive plaques they can hang on the wall of their business. "I really didn't do anything," Wright said Thursday with a smile. "It's just the way I do things. I listened to (the customer whose nomination put Wright over the top). She had a bad day and I helped her out. It's just what I do." Wright was nominated by a customer who was driving through the area from Canada when she got a flat tire. She went to a local store to buy a new tire then drove to Microtel to spend the night. She said Wright helped her e great deal, was very friendly and even upgraded her to a room with a Jacuzzi because, as he said, "she was having a pretty bad day." With six R.O.S.E. Awards under his belt, Wright is four away from becoming a R.O.S.E. Ambassador, which means the CVB will use him as a spokesman for the program and for quality customer service and how to be a solid front-line employee. R.O.S.E. winners are given a $100 bill folded into a rose corsage, along with a plaque. They're also invited to ride in a classic automobile in the annual Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and LaPorte July 4^th Parade. Winners are also invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon, a joint venture held by the tourism bureaus from LaPorte and Porter counties.

2011 November ROSE Winner

Jennifer Cress-Castillo - Although it has eluded her until now, the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau's R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Award has been Jennifer Cress-Castillo's radar for a while. It's always been something she's wanted to win, because it fits perfectly with the way she does her job. The Lakeshore Coffee barista won her first R.O.S.E. Award for the month of November, and said this week that the award is important because it's a way to show the care she and her fellow Lakeshore Coffee employees show to their customers. "We've coveted this award. It shows the pride we take in serving our customers because we love our customers. They're like our extended family," she said with a smile. "We try to make Lakeshore Coffee a home away from home for our customers and for us. Cress-Castillo received her first R.O.S.E. Award thanks to some great nominations, including one from a customer who was impressed by her friendliness and local knowledge. According to the nominator, Cress-Castillo recommended the customer go apple picking and located directions and an address for the orchard. "It's not really a job," Cress-Castillo said. Our customers show they care about us by coming back. And that's because we care about them." For winning the R.O.S.E. Award, Cress-Castillo received a framed certificate, as well as a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. R.O.S.E. winners are invited to ride in classic cars in the annual Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the LaPorte Jaycees July 4^th parade, and are invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon in March. R.O.S.E. winners are also eligible for the Lt. Governors Hoosier Hospitality Award.

2011 October ROSE Winner

Patrick Wright - Patrick Wright is now halfway to becoming a R.O.S.E. Ambassador, despite the fact he only received his first Recognition Of Service Excellence award less than six months ago. Wright, a host at Michigan City's Microtel hotel, was awarded his fifth R.O.S.E. Award this year - this time for the month of October - thanks in part to a sparkling nomination submitted by two hotel guests who lived in the same town Wright grew up in. "We came in town to visit the area and do a girls weekend. My friend and I wanted to do some adventuring and start planning our retirement. We stayed in a local hotel and he was working at the front desk, so we asked him several questions about the area and the lifestyle. To our surprise, he grew up in our town and was once friends with my son," the nominator said. " So to have a point of view of someone who had recently moved to this area was such a delight. He had so many ideas, and places for us to see. He suggested we go sightseeing and look at places from the Door Prairie Barn, LaPorte antique stores, to the Historic Lighthouse and Washington Park. He told us about all of the local orchards and wineries. He said the best apple cider was from Garwood Orchard and he was correct. We have really considered planning our retirement to the La Porte County area. He was so helpful and knowledgeable of the area. Thank you for ALL of the information and help this past weekend. He is also right when he says..." LaPorte County may not be a tropical paradise, but it is the next best thing... real life living!" To become an ambassador, R.O.S.E. winners must win 10 awards. Ambassadors spread the word about the award and about great customer service, but are no longer eligible for the honor as 10 is the pinnacle of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau's award process. The CVB awards front-line customer service reps for their good work based on nominations submitted by customers. A panel of judges from the community then votes on nominees and picks a winner. Honorees are given a framed certificate and a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. They're also invited to ride on floats in the annual Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the annual LaPorte Jaycees July 4^th Parade. They're also invited to the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon and they could be made eligible for the State of Indiana's Hoosier Hospitality Award.

2011 September ROSE Winner

Patrick Wright - One would think with three R.O.S.E. Awards, each bearing his name, hanging on the lobby wall of the Microtel in Michigan City, that being rewarded for his customer service would be old hat for Patrick Wright. For the front desk-man at one of Michigan City's newest lodging facilities, though, winning the monthly honor - which recognizes winners for how well they treat their customers - is something he strives for each month. "I want this whole wall to be covered (with R.O.S.E. certificates). I want Microtel to be known along with (other local businesses with multiple winners) for winning R.O.S.E. Awards," he said. "It's something that I love because it shows that we really do care about our customers." Wright was nominated for the August award several times over, and most of the nominations said the same thing; that Wright's friendly demeanor and "above and beyond" concern for patrons is unlike anything nominators have seen. Nominations commended Wright for his vast knowledge of the area and his willingness to go out of his way to make sure customers have no questions about what to do in LaPorte County and Northwest Indiana. "It's just what I do," he said. "There's so much to do in this area that is just natural to want to let people know about it all." Each month, the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau awards the honor based on customer nominations. Those nominations go before an autonomous board, which chooses that month's winner. Each winner is given a framed certificate, along with a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. Winner also are invited to ride in classic cars in the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the LaPorte Jaycee's July 4^th Parade. They also are honored at the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon.

2011 August ROSE Winner

Patrick Wright - One would think with three R.O.S.E. Awards, each bearing his name, hanging on the lobby wall of the Microtel in Michigan City, that being rewarded for his customer service would be old hat for Patrick Wright. For the front desk-man at one of Michigan City's newest lodging facilities, though, winning the monthly honor - which recognizes winners for how well they treat their customers - is something he strives for each month. "I want this whole wall to be covered (with R.O.S.E. certificates). I want Microtel to be known along with (other local businesses with multiple winners) for winning R.O.S.E. Awards," he said. "It's something that I love because it shows that we really do care about our customers." Wright was nominated for the August award several times over, and most of the nominations said the same thing; that Wright's friendly demeanor and "above and beyond" concern for patrons is unlike anything nominators have seen. Nominations commended Wright for his vast knowledge of the area and his willingness to go out of his way to make sure customers have no questions about what to do in LaPorte County and Northwest Indiana. "It's just what I do," he said. "There's so much to do in this area that is just natural to want to let people know about it all." Each month, the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau awards the honor based on customer nominations. Those nominations go before an autonomous board, which chooses that month's winner. Each winner is given a framed certificate, along with a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. Winners also are invited to ride in classic cars in the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the LaPorte Jaycee's July 4^th Parade. They also are honored at the annual R.O.ES.E. Luncheon.

2011 July ROSE Winner

Brett Binversiehas managed hotels and restaurants most of his professional career, so he knows how important quality customer service is. He knows you have to make your customers’ visits positive and memorable. So when he won the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Award for the month of July, those around him weren’t surprised. The general manager at Damon’s Grill, in Michigan City, though, said the award was something he didn’t expect. “I’m proud of this and it shows how important good service is in this industry,” Binversie told a crowd at the CVB’s monthly Idea and Information Exchange, held at the Michigan City Clarion Inn last month. “But it says a lot about everyone here and how hard they work.” The nomination that put Binversie over the top in the eyes of judges was from a group that was in the restaurant representing the annual Le Tour De Shore, a charity bike event that passes through the area each year. In the nomination, the representatives thanked Binversie for his help in feeding participants and providing them with top-notch service. “Your efforts, providing a group dinner to our cyclist staying in the Michigan City area and catering a group dinner to our cyclist staying at the Indiana Dunes State Park Campground were a great help. Our cyclist said the dinner was delicious and hearty. The service was flawless,” the nomination said. “We applaud your work. No problem was too big. No detail was too small. We forgot to provide water and lemonade at the campground. You anticipated this problem and brought water and Gatorade just in case. We had later arrivals at the restaurant, you brought out extra food. We look forward to working with this restaurant on Le Tour de Shore 2012. Have a great summer.” As a R.O.S.E. winner, Binversie received a framed certificate and a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. He’s also now able to ride in a float in both the Michigan City Big Parade and LaPorte Jaycee’s July 4 Parade next year. He’ll also be honored at the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon, held each spring.

2011 June ROSE Winner

Patrick Wrightsaid he made lifelong friends with the group of guests that stayed at the Microtel Inn and Suites when he was given the R.O.S.E. Award. These guests were in the area inspecting an oil pipeline and have since moved on to Oklahoma. “I hope they come back,” Wright said after receiving his second Recognition of Service Excellence Award from the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau. This is what the guests said about the exceptional service that was provided. We are traveling workers, and are extremely impressed with him. We are away from our families for weeks at a time, if not months. He has gone way above and beyond his call of duty for us. We have been at his hotel for just over a month now. He has grown to know our names, something about each one of us separately, and even our families. He has suggested great places to eat, places to visit, things for us to do on off days, and places to buy our equipment. I am very impressed with his knowledge of such a vast area. He really knows his towns, and county. He absolutely LOVES his area. We enjoy his jokes, his wonderful demeanor. We have stayed and have gained knowledge of the area and a lifelong friend. Thanks to him. He truly is a wonderful asset and he always makes sure we come back from working all day to a few jokes or a good time. In winning the May R.O.S.E. Award, Wright was given a framed certificate and a rose boutonnière with a $100 bill folded inside. He’s also invited to ride in classic cars, representing the CVB, in the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the LaPorte Jaycees July 4th Parade. He’s also invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon next May.

2011 May ROSE Winner

Patrick Wrightcouldn’t have asked for a more glowing nomination from which to win his first R.O.S.E. Award. The Microtel Inn and Suites employee, who always welcomes guests with a smile and a friendly greeting and, most importantly, a seemingly unending knowledge of Michigan City and LaPorte County, was called “beyond believable” by one guest who will now make Michigan City a regular stop because of Wright. “It means we’re doing our job,” Wright said about his first Recognition of Service Excellence Award from the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Without everybody here, we wouldn’t be able to do this. But I’ll say that I’m really excited and happy.” The most glowing of Wrights’ many nominations praised him for his knowledge of the area and his willingness to let the guest know just about everything they’d need to know to have a good time in LaPorte County and Northern Indiana. “I have seen a lot of great customer service reps at other hotels, but I was blown away by him and his knowledge,” the nominator said. “He was so polite and funny when he was checking us in.” In winning the May R.O.S.E. Award, Wright was given a framed certificate and a rose boutonnière with a $100 bill folded inside. He’s also invited to ride in classic cars, representing the CVB, in the Michigan City Summer Festival Big Parade and the LaPorte Jaycees July 4th Parade. He’s also invited to attend the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon next May.

2011 April ROSE Winner

Tiffany Daughertyhas wanted to add her name to the long list of R.O.S.E. winners for a long time. So she couldn’t have been happier Tuesday when the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau presented her with her first-ever customer service honor. “I’ve tried for four years now,” the smiling Duneland Beach Inn hostess and marketing specialist said. “There’s a lot of talent in LaPorte County so this is really phenomenal.” Daugherty won the bureau’s Recognition of Service Excellence Award for the month of April after being nominated by customers. One nomination lauded her knowledge of the area as the couple she waited on decided to stay in LaPorte County and extra day based on events Tiffany told them about. “Winning the R.O.S.E. Award is initiative to go above and beyond each time you serve someone,” she said. “You want to connect more on an intimate level with your customers.” Like all R.O.S.E. winners, Tiffany was given a framed certificate and a rose corsage with a $100 bill folded inside. She’ll be invited to the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon next May and to ride in classic cars in the LaPorte Jaycees July 4th Parade and the Michigan City Summer Festival’s Big Parade.

2011 March ROSE Winner

Ashley Boscaccymight just have forced her bosses at Shoreline Brewery to build another wall in their north end brewpub. The one that currently houses their numerous R.O.S.E. Award certificates is almost too full to feature the award Boscaccy won this week. “It’s really a fun place to work,” said Boscaccy, who by winning the March Recognition Of Service Excellence Award from the LaPorte County CVB, became the 15th winner the brew pub has featured in its nearly 6 years of existence. “It’s good to be able to be on that wall with all of them.” Boscaccy was nominated by customers who lauded her friendliness and knowledge. Like so many R.O.S.E. Award recipients, Boscaccy, in her nominations, was making her customers want to come back to Shoreline and Michigan City in the future. The nominations also Boscaccy that she should be proud of the job she does. “It shows that a lot of people appreciate me and my work,” she said. “You don’t always get that kind of thing at other places. But Shoreline is a great place to work.” R.O.S.E. winner are awarded with a framed certificate and a $100 bill folded into a flower corsage. They’re also invited to the annual R.O.S.E. Luncheon held each spring and to ride in classic cars in the annual LaPorte Jaycees 4th of July Parade and the Michigan City Summer Festival’s annual Big Parade.

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R.O.S.E. Award Winners

2012 March ROSE Winner

2012 February ROSE Winner

2012 January ROSE Winner

2011 December ROSE Winner

2011 November ROSE Winner

2011 October ROSE Winner

2011 September ROSE Winner

2011 August ROSE Winner

2011 July ROSE Winner

2011 June ROSE Winner

2011 May ROSE Winner

2011 April ROSE Winner

2011 March ROSE Winner