The Northern Territory Government would like to congratulate the winners of the Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Awards announced tonight at a gala cocktail dinner in Alice Springs.
Kaye Eade, Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory said that the Chamber was very impressed with the quantity of businesses nominated across all categories this year.
“It is great to see a number of new and emerging businesses doing so well,” said Kaye Eade.
“The judges took considerable time to pick the winners, over two hours. The Chamber appreciates all the support received from sponsors to bring the event to fruition”
Department of Business Chief Executive Officer Michael Tennant presented the award for Best Business and was equally impressed with the shortlisted finalists and businesses.
“This event recognises positive and hardworking individuals and businesses for their achievements in delivering good customer service in the Territory,” Michael Tennant said.
“The Department of Business and the Central Australia Development Office are proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of this event.
“Fostering and rewarding a high level of customer service is important to maintaining Alice Springs as a tourism destination of choice for tourist and a great place to live for locals.
“A good customer service interaction can be the difference between a visitor viewing their Territory experience positively or negatively. It can also be the difference between a good day and a bad day for a local, and the difference between economic success or failure for a business.
The awards consist of three categories, individual, emerging business and business, with nominations coming from clients or customers in recognition of outstanding customer service they have received.
Winner of the Emerging Business award Alice Veterinary Centre had numerous nominations praising their staff for attending their calls on all days of the week and out of hours. One nomination recounted a callout to attend to a dog that had been attacked by a goanna late at night.
Simon Jenkins from Alice Springs Travel and Cruise received the Best Individual award and was praised by many clients who said he was friendly, courteous, very thorough and worked within their set budget. One client said that even though they didn’t book their travel with him, they contacted him when they were having issues, and Simon sorted out their problems. A service they were not expecting, but were extremely grateful for.
The Best Business title was awarded to Kennards Hire. A customer recounted that when they needed to hire heaters for a private function, they were offered exceptional service including the option to trial all of the heaters before committing. The business also arranged for all of the heaters to be delivered upstairs and collected them after the function, taking them back down the stairs again.
Kerry Noll from the Outbush Store also received a special commendation, with numerous nominations from customers and clients stating that she is a pleasure to deal with, although they usually walk out spending more money than they intended to. As Kerry works in a store supplying souvenirs, her customer service skills are vital to our tourist trade.
“Congratulations to the all the winners of this year’s 2015 Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory Customer Service Awards.
Emerging Business - Winner: Alice Springs Veterinary Centre
Finalists
o Morton Bros Contracting
o Baney Electrical Services
Best Individual: Winner Simon Jenkins
Finalists
o Mary Hair - Alice Springs Convention Centre
o Tracey Coulson - BP Alice Springs Transit Centre
o Robin Cross - Charles Darwin University
Best Business: Winner Kennards Hire (presented by Michael Tennant)
Finalists
o Business Cents
o Desert Palms Resort
o Alice Audiology
Special Commendation award to Kerry Noll, Outbush Store
Media Contact: Wendy Pritchard - 0418 761 698