American Hotel venue manager Harry Ripon thinks it would be great to win a couple of awards, having been finalists the past few years in multiple categories.
“We have a great rooftop space, so for me, to be able to win the best rooftop experience would be ideal,” he said.
“Live entertainment is something we pride ourselves in, consistently offering top-quality, live entertainment to our guests every weekend.
“We pride ourselves on providing a good customer experience and doing that consistently.”
In the 2022 AHA awards, the American took out the award for ‘Outstanding achievement in training’, an award the hotel is up for again in 2023.
“We invest a lot of time into our training,” Mr Ripon said.
“The way we can be most beneficial with our training is to document it.
“That enables us to be consistent in what we are training all the different staff.”
Everyone working at the American plays a part in the venue’s success, from the corporate staff to the shift supervisors and cleaning staff.
“I am a big believer that at the American we all have the same common goal,” Mr Ripon said.
“Whether you are the supervisor on a Tuesday night or the cleaner on Wednesday morning, everyone plays a pivotal role in our success.
“We all work as one united team, and I think everyone is on the same playing field.
“We are trying to get the same job done and do it well.”
The American is a finalist in best pub bar regional, best speciality bar, best live entertainment, best rooftop experience, best gaming venue regional and outstanding achievement in training.
“To be recognised, not just as the venue manager, but as the entire team, everyone involved in the business, the awards represent and reflect all the hard work that they all put in,” Mr Ripon said.
“All the work that goes on behind the scenes to make what everyone sees when they come in, that makes it pop, and creates such a good feeling when you walk into the American.
“There is a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes, so it is great to be rewarded at the state awards.”
The Australian Hotel Association (Vic) state awards for excellence will be held at the Palladium at Crown Melbourne on May 15.
29°C