Hunt for tourism heroes gets underway at CATS awards ceremony

Aug 27 2009 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

EFFORTS to reward the people who have helped put the biggest smile on the faces of visitors to Chester and Cheshire got under way this week.

Local tourism board Visit Chester and Cheshire launched this year’s CATS Awards, (Celebrating the Achievement of Talented Staff) with an appeal to managers and employers in the visitor economy to take time out to nominate their hard-working teams and top achievers.

Now in their ninth year, the awards are open to any business involved in travel, tourism, leisure, retail, education and training, hospitality, attractions, events, food and drink and accommodation providers.

New categories this year include Cocktail Bartender of the Year. Those nominated will be asked to demonstrate their skills in front of a panel of experts. The winner of the Cheshire’s Most Up and Coming Chef category will be decided through a cook-off.

The Most Valuable Volunteer category has been reintroduced this year in response to demand from VCC members.

VCC Head of Business Development, Emma Clarke said: “CATS has an important role in helping managers and employers recognise, celebrate and encourage top standards across every area of service delivery.”

She added: “We want these awards to create a sense of pride amongst employees, motivate and inspire them, and at the same time help raise quality and standards.”

This year’s categories are:

Best New Entrant to the Visitor Economy

Most Valuable Volunteer; Commitment to Industry

Individual Excellence in Customer Service

Front of House Staff

Most Outstanding Manager

Team of the Year

Most Promising Trainee in the Visitor Economy

Cocktail Bartender of the Year

Cheshire’s most up and coming chef (aged 17 – 25)

Unsung hero

Exceptional Contribution to the Visitor Economy.

VCC Chief Executive Chris Brown added: “Business should seize this valuable opportunity to shout about their success and strengthen their position as a forward looking business and an employer of choice.”

Details and nomination forms are available from Pam Billington, tel: 01244 405615 or Lucy Morris on 01244 405616, or can be downloaded from www.visit chesterandcheshire.co.uk/ awards/CATS2009