Golden Heart Academy topic for Fairbanks chamber luncheon

Submitted by Scott McCrea
Phone: 455-2857
03/03/05

The presentation will focus on a new customer-service academy aimed at helping keep the "heart"? in the Golden Heart City.

Entitled the TVC Golden HEART (Hospitality Education And Retail Training) Academy the two-day customer service training academy is geared towards local retail and tourism industry employees. In addition to customer service skills, the academy offers seminars in cultural awareness and sensitivity, Fairbanks history, local attractions, Alaska nature/wildlife, teambuilding skills, and more.

The academy will prepare front-line employees for Fairbanks’ year-round visitor industry as well as the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in October. "Providing visitors, both in-state and out-of-state, with superior customer service is crucial to repeat visitation and economic success,"? said TVC Applied Business Professor Charlie Dexter, one of the academy’s instructors.

TVC plans on offering four academies this spring. The first academy will take place April 27-28, and May 18-19. The academy will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. both days at the Tanana Valley Campus Center at 604 Barnette Street.

The academy has received praises from local tourism industry and Department of Labor officials, as well as the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Academy seminars will be taught by faculty from TVC as well as subject matter experts from within the community. The cost of the academy is $140 per person. The cost includes 14 hours of instruction, learning materials, a certificate and Golden HEART pin upon academy completion, and a certificate for the employer stating that they are a participant in the academy. Scholarships and funding for qualified applicants are available through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

CONTACT: TVC Marketing Coordinator Scott McCrea at 455-2857 or fnsjm@uaf.edu.