Honourees, nominees and
those simply attending the ceremony were greeted at the door by two
lovely little ladies dressed as Bahamian straw dolls. Once inside the
beautifully decorated Atlantis Theatre, steel
pan music from Chippie and The Boys kept the theme alive. That act was
followed by the acapella-sounds of the Dicey Doh Singers, and lastly the
unique sounds of Tony Seymour and Silbert.
And then it was time to
begin. Kicking off the event was the singing of the National Anthem and
a prayer. Then with their usual jokes and little anecdotes, and a few
dance moves to boot, the Hosts formally recognized
the 20, 30, and 40 year honourees. Over 100 dedicated and long serving
employees were honoured for their efforts in providing good ol’ Bahamian
hospitality. Among them, Senior Vice President of Administration, J.
Barrie Farrington.
40 year honouree JB Farrington
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“Forty years – many
times when I speak to some employees I say I’ve been here longer than
you’ve been alive,” said Farrington as he addressed the audience,
telling those in attendance to look to the future and
to ensure that Atlantis’ legacy is one of greatness.
“The legacy has to be
one where we and those that come after will carry on the tradition of
customer service, of being national builders, of believing in the system
that we’ve created and that we’re a part of,
and that we’re lifted up higher and make others in our country who’ve
not had it as well as we have and have had to be better. So I entreat
you, it’s with pride and joy and with humility and with a great deal of
emotion that I thank you for allowing me to spend
40 years in your midst and in some way making a small contribution to
our country and to our people and to the future.”
Twenty-year honouree
Arvin Wallace, Head Butler at the One&Only Ocean Club, added that
his experience at Atlantis has been a life changing one. “It has helped
develop me as an individual both in my professional
and my personal life. I can honestly say that I am able to take lessons
learned here back into my community for the betterment of my community.
Working here at Atlantis has afforded me the opportunity to meet people
from all walks of life, particularly influential
people like former U.S. President George Bush, form many friendships and
meet my lifetime mate. I am very appreciative for being employed at
Atlantis.”
HEART OF HOUSE - Rose Cooper, a Kitchen Baker/Cook at The Cove, and Mark Munroe, a Houseman in the Royal Towers – FRONT OF HOUSE –Imperial Club Concierge Monadu Steed Croupier Hugo Bethel; Sr. VP of Human Resources Karen Carey and on end George Markantoni
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President &
Managing Director George Markantonis focused his remarks on encouraging
staff to continue the ‘magic’ Atlantis is known for.
“We come in this room
and we know that we are surrounded by our top performers, and not only
our top performers, but people who have been through thick and thin with
us as a property for multiple ownerships.
People who have sat and done their jobs every day, looking after our
customers… in spite of what they might read in the press or hear on TV,
people who ignore wild rumours and speculation because they’re much more
focused. They have a job to do.
“These are all of you.
It’s not by accident that any of you are in this room. It is not by
accident. Please remember that. Know that those of us who are here,
because we’re a part of the organizing committee,
are very, very touched and proud to be within the same four walls as all
of you.”
Reminding attendees how
to “laff at we sef”, comedians Naughty and David Wallace had their
respective turns on the stage and kept the crowd laughing from start to
finish, while Sr. VP of Security Douglas Hanna
and the ‘Senior Executive Choir’ (yes, the senior team donned choir
robes) took the audience to Church.
(left to right): Chief Gaming Officer Audrey Oswell, winner Conference Service Manager Anthen Mortimer, Sr. VP of Administration J. Barrie Farrington and winner Purchasing’s Wardrobe Coordinator Claudette Farrington.
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And then with the beat
of the goatskin drum, the winners were announced. With this year’s event
comes amendments to the process made last year, which include an
increase to the number of Manager and Line Staff
winners. This year one Leader, two Managers and four Line Staff winners
were chosen.
First up was the Leader
of the Year category, which for a second straight year had a record
number of nominees – 7 in all - vying for the win. Sr. Director of
Laundry and Valet Operations Dale Marche captured
the win, $6,000 in cash, VIP seating at this year’s Boxing Day Junkanoo
Parade, a full body spa treatment at Albany House the ultimate in car
services, which includes complimentary gas from the service station of
his choice for one year, three car tune ups
over the course of his reign and a car cleaning every month for one year
from 5-Star Cleaning.
Up next was the Manager
of the Year category, which also featured a record nine nominees. In
the end, Conference Service Manager Anthen Mortimer and Purchasing’s
Wardrobe Coordinator Claudette Farrington reigned
supreme, taking what organizers referred to as the ‘VIP’ package which
affords them valet service (on property) throughout the course of their
reign, dinner at four of Nassau’s fine dining and exclusive restaurants,
namely Café Martinique, Graycliff, Lyford
Cay Club and Old Fort Bay, and $8,000 in cash.
Twenty-two line staff
nominees took the stage next in hopes of hearing their names called as
the winners for Heart of House and Front of House respectively. With the
sound of the goatskin drum, the Heart of
House champions – Rose Cooper, a Kitchen Baker/Cook at The Cove, and
Mark Munroe, a Houseman in the Royal Towers – and the Front of House
conquerors – Croupier Hugo Bethel and Imperial Club Concierge Monadu
Steed – claimed the title of Employee of the Year.
They each won what organizers termed the ‘Extraordinary’ package, which
includes Atlantis Laundry service, Maid-for-a-day service, a healthcare
package affording them a full executive physical at Doctor’s Hospital,
an eye exam with a qualified optometrist from
Bahamas Vision Center, Dental care from Bayview Dental, Limo service to
attend any special functions they may have, lunch for themselves and
three colleagues at Mosaic, lunch for themselves and three friends at
Virgil’s, a private party of 30 at Mario’s Bowling
and $15,000 in cash.
Oh what a night! And
the excitement did not end there. Screams from the crowd erupted as
R&B crooner of the 80’s and 90’s James Ingraham appeared on stage
and belted out some of his greatest hits! That wonderful
treat was followed by the sweet, sweet sounds of Junkanoo leading
attendees out of the Atlantis Theatre into the Imperial Ballroom for the
after party.
This year’s Crystals – Diamond Awards was held in the Atlantis Theatre Wednesday, February 8
th.
