ORANJESTAD - The Shoco Awards of Excellence program for 2010 was officially launched this month with the unveiling of the newly-revised design of the Shoco statuette. The new statuette as well as the announcement of program details was made by AHATA, together with sponsor Digicel, during a recent press conference. The Shoco Awards of Excellence is AHATA’s official recognition program focusing on excellence in service, hospitality and outstanding contribution to Aruba’s tourism industry. Whereas in the past, individual organizations were also recognized, today’s awards focus on individual accomplishments that have led to far-reaching results.
The Shoco award first received its name by merit of it being something truly symbolic of the island. The Shoco owl is one of Aruba’s natural treasures, indigenous to the island, and representing wisdom, resourcefulness, focus, vision and a keen sense of direction. The look of the Shoco award is unique, with renowned local artists Maritza Erasmus and Edwin Donato having created the design. The original design of the award was unveiled in 2005, with an updated award statue introduced in 2010.
Categories:
- Employee of the Year (Hotel as well as industry-related company)
- Supervisor of the Year (Hotel as well as industry-related company)
- Manager of the Year (Hotel as well as industry-related company)
- Young Professional of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Digicel’s Shoco Cares (community service recognition)
Criteria:
- Technical Skills
- Hospitality Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Community Service
Selection Process:
The Shoco Award Program is open to all hotel and allied members of AHATA
- Nominee process: Each organization is responsible for allowing for a nominee process within their company, the results of which are measured against established criteria to determine the final choice of a nominee.
- Filling out the application: Submissions include detailed information for each nominee (employee histories, feedback from staff as well as clients, past awards, etc.)
- Interview process: Interviews are used to verify the information provided by the application and to clarify issues and questions that have arisen during the application review process.
- Application Review: The jury pool, composed of qualified independent professionals, review all the collected data in determining the final winner of each category. The 2010 Jury members include Annelien Tromp (CMB), John Wardlaw (University of Aruba) and Carlos Albertus (B & P Interface Aruba N.V. Training & Consultancy), who are serving as judges for the third straight year.
Timetable:
- Applications Due August 20, 2010
- Judges’ Consensus Meeting September 6, 2010
- Interview Process September 8-25, 2010
- Judges’ Final Consensus Meeting September 17, 2010
- Awards Ceremony October 15, 2010
Since 2008, Digicel has been the exclusive sponsor of the SHOCO national awards program, aiding in goals of both recognizing the island’s leading tourism professionals as well as spearheading efforts to promote and recognize volunteerism through the Digicel “Shoco Cares” award.
Past winners:
Shoco winners 2009
Employee of the Year (resort): Coral Berkel, Hyatt Regency
Employee of the Year (allied): Betty Rozanda Maduro, Red Sail Sports
Supervisor of the Year (resort): Rosa Maduro, Radisson; Margriet Geerman, The Aruban
Supervisor of the Year (allied): Judella Lacle-Tromp, De Palm Tours
Manager of the Year (resort): Oriana Carotenuto, Hyatt Regency
Young Professional of the Year: Gerald Griffith, Sales Coordinator, Hyatt Regency
Lifetime Achievement: George Hoek, Manchebo
Digicel’s Shoco Cares: Lilian Martis, Costa del Sol
Shoco winners 2008
Employee of the Year (resort): Bernice Dennis, Housekeeper, Bucuti Beach Resort
Employee of the Year (allied): Robert “Roy” de Kort, Pelican Adventures
Supervisor of the Year (resort): Delano Frank Sabajo, La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club
Supervisor of the Year (allied): Igor Arends, De Palm Tours
Young Tourism Professional of the Year: Barbara Bressat, Aruba Marriott Resort
Lifetime Achievement: Francisco “Chico” Faro, Renaissance Aruba Resort (Renaissance Island)
Digicel’s Shoco Cares: Ana Arends, Divi Aruba
