Gold Eagle Casino and Don Hilsendager received awards for their contributions to tourism Friday at the Tourism Awareness Week luncheon.
Hilsendager, named 2010 Tourism Volunteer of the Year, has been the executive director for North Battleford Sports Museum and Hall of Fame since 1998. That is also the year he started volunteering three days a week in order to operate the museum in its current location, which is in the basement of the North Battleford Library.
Hilsendager has been working over the years to improve the display and to build up a collection of artifacts. In 2010 he helped the Olympic torch relay committee get a permanent display of the torch in the museum and hall of fame.
"Don's dedication to tourism and sports history in the Battlefords has spanned over a decade and in that time he has assisted with preparing a lasting legacy for both residents and visitors alike for years to come," said Diana Tucker, tourism development officer with Battlefords Tourism aand Convention Association.
"He continues to be a great ambassador of the Battlefords and is a fantastic example of the quality of volunteers we have in the Battlefords."
The Gold Eagle Casino received the Battlefords 2010 Employer Tourism Training Award. This is an award given every year to a business that exhibits a commitment to tourism in the Battlefords through professional acknowledgement, training and excellence.
"This year's award winner has been committed to providing professional training for their staff and remains committed to ensure all staff, from the front desk to food and beverage, are properly trained and certified," said Tucker.
Throughout 2010, the Gold Eagle Casino had the greatest staff enrolment and participation in professional tourism education in the Battlefords.
A number of national certifications were achieved including five journeypersons in the food and beverage trade and over 75 per cent of staff completed the Service Best program, an internationally recognized workshop designed to assist frontline staff in the delivery of superior customer service. An additional 44 staff completed the Serve It Right Saskatchewan program, designed to assist in the responsible service of alcohol.
Special mention went to Gold Eagle Lodge, the local branch of the Western Development Museum and Creative Interiors for providing extensive staff training.
