Customer Service Excellence Awards
The Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau recently presented customer service excellence awards to employees of the local tourism industry.
CCVB received numerous nominations and presented five awards at attractions and businesses.
Recipients included:
- Anthony Cusimano, guest services associate, National Comedy Center
- Anna Fales, food and beverage director, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
- Toni Bellitto, concierge, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
- Jessica Gordon, beverage manager, Truffle Honey LLC
- Bill Race, volunteer, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
CCVB created the award to recognize and foster customer service excellence within the Chautauqua County tourism industry.
“These recipients do excellent work for their employers and provide guests with great customer service,” said Andrew Nixon, CCVB president and CEO. “They also share their extensive knowledge of the local area, businesses and attractions. This ensures visitors have the best experience possible in Chautauqua County and supports the entire tourism industry. We’re proud to present the customer service excellence award to these deserving recipients, and we look forward to honoring more employees soon.”
CCVB plans to present another round of customer service excellence awards in the spring or summer months and will announce a formal nomination timeline to tourism industry businesses.
Anthony Cusimano
Anthony Cusimano serves in a variety of guest services roles for the National Comedy Center, including front lobby desk lead, guest relations representative, on-site exhibit experience representative, and bartender in the karaoke lounge.
“Tony really goes above and beyond for our guests,” his nomination from the National Comedy Center’s senior management team reads. “One of our supervisors recently watched him assist a group of elderly ladies out to their bus (all in wheelchairs) while holding an umbrella for them while he got rained on – it was raining really hard.”
According to the nomination, Cusimano provides customer service at the highest level and always has a positive attitude. He promotes Chautauqua County by suggesting other attractions, landmarks, local shops, dining options and hotels. Guests frequently mention him by name when leaving online reviews of the National Comedy Center.
The National Comedy Center is located at 203 W. 2nd St. in Jamestown. Learn more at comedycenter.org.
Anna Fales & Toni Bellitto
Anna Fales received several nominations for excelling in her role as banquet manager for the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.
“Anna has always been so accommodating whenever we’ve had a meeting of any kind there,” reads one nomination. “She is very attentive and concerned that our meal is satisfactory and that everything is running as smoothly as possible. And always with a smile.”
Another nomination reads: “Anna has always gone above and beyond ensuring that the event has the best success possible from the menu choices, creating an inviting environment, and having staff that serve with a smile.”
Toni Bellitto received numerous nominations from her coworkers at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel for her role as concierge.
“We often refer to Toni as ‘the mayor’ because she is the perfect spokeswoman for everything local,” one nomination reads. “I cannot imagine anyone could be more passionate about our county and its many communities. Toni keeps herself well-versed in both old and new attractions, restaurants and events. When a new restaurant opens, she is one of the first to try the new cuisine so that she can thoughtfully describe it down to the finest detail when recommending eating establishments to our guests. Her hospitality is unmatched.”
“Toni’s extensive understanding of Chautauqua County’s attractions, history and events makes her an invaluable resource for tourists,” another nomination reads. “She regularly provides insights into hidden gems and local favorites, enhancing visitors’ experiences and encouraging them to explore more.”
The Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is located at 10 Dunham Ave. in Celoron. Learn more at thechautauquaharborhotel.com.
Jessica Gordon
Jessica Gordon, beverage manager for Truffle Honey, consistently delivers exceptional customer service, according to the nomination from owner Matthew Dinger.
“Jessica’s ability to remain calm and composed, even during our busiest times, ensures that guests always receive prompt and attentive care,” the nomination reads. “Her warm personality and proactive approach to problem-solving enhance customer satisfaction and have garnered numerous positive reviews from our patrons. Jessica truly embodies the spirit of hospitality and is a key contributor to the success of our business. Jessica is a shining example of what it means to provide outstanding service in the tourism industry.”
Truffle Honey is located at 3943 NY Route 394, Mayville. Learn more at trufflehoneychq.com.
Bill Race
Bill Race has volunteered at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame weekly for 17 years.
“He rarely misses a shift,” said Randy Anderson, CSHOF president, in the nomination. “A rough estimate of nearly 2,000 hours have been contributed. Bill recently turned 89 years of age. I think Bill Race deserves recognition for his longevity and dedication as a volunteer in our community.”
Race not only volunteers at the Sports Hall of Fame, he’s also an inductee, an honor earned by winning 174 games as Falconer Central School’s longtime football coach.
The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is located at 15 W. Third St., Jamestown. Learn more at chautauquasportshalloffame.org.
About CCVB: The mission of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) is to support Chautauqua County businesses and the local economy by marketing to, attracting, and serving visitors to our county. We do this by reaching potential visitors and assisting them in the process of learning about, coming to, and enjoying our amazing area. CCVB is the official tourism promotion agency for Chautauqua County, designated by the County of Chautauqua and the New York State Division of Tourism/ILNY program.
