SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (October 31, 2018) – On Monday, October 22, Saratoga Casino Hotel employee, Sarah Kittle, received a prestigious award for superior customer service in the hospitality industry. Kittle received the award for ‘Outstanding Manager/Supervisor’ at the Stars of the Industry Awards Gala presented by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. The ceremony took place in Verona, NY and recognized 13 top performers across the state’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Kittle was nominated by her supervisor and Director of Hotel Operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Matthew Cudemo. Cudemo pointed towards Kittle’s strong leadership and interpersonal skills as the primary contributors in her ability to lead the hotel’s 27-person housekeeping team. Sarah Kittle has been cited by her peers and Cudemo on multiple occasions for being a resounding team leader who facilitates the daily communication needed to lead a team through the meticulous attention-to-detail guests come to expect in a luxury hotel.
“Sarah is an invaluable asset to our organization who goes above and beyond every single day for her team and our guests,” said Cudemo. “We stress the importance of superior customer service for each of our guests, and Sarah is able to rally her team to not only meet those expectations, but exceed them.”
Kittle began her tenure at Saratoga Casino Hotel in June of 2016, just weeks before the $40-Million Dollar hotel’s grand opening. As Lead Housekeeping Supervisor, Kittle worked to ensure the hotel’s housekeeping staff would be ready to meet the demands of a busy summer season. Shortly after the hotel opened, Kittle was honored within the organization when she won the company-wide ‘Supervisor of the Quarter’ award at the start of 2017.
For her NYSHTA award nomination, Cudemo also noted an instance where one member of Kittle’s housekeeping staff was diagnosed with a form of terminal cancer. Kittle took it upon herself to make weekly visits to this employee’s home, and personally led a fundraising effort that raised over $5,000 for the employee and their family.
“Every year, the state’s hospitality industry nominates its most outstanding employees,” said Mark Dorr, NYSHTA President. “After reviewing the nominations, the judges agreed that Sarah was the best of the best.”
