R.O.T.Y. Competition 2008

51 Buckingham Gate
Competition Winner: Smita Appadoo-Crowne Plaza Docklands and 2nd place Winner in the International competition in Cannes

This year a huge total of 39 candidates entered the prestigious competition. This is the highest number of applications, which means this competition is getting bigger and more professional by the year. Equally important is that it is not just the London properties that are entering but we also had two Scottish entries in 2008.

The First Stage interviews with the board of judges from the AICR Committee were held at London Marriott Park Lane on Mondy 10th and Tuesday 11th November. During these 2 days the judges interviewed 14 out of the 39 candidate forapproximately 25 minutes each based on both their application form and their role as a receptionist, seven receptionists made it to the next round.

The announcements of the 7 finalists were held during an afternoon on the tea at the Landmark London on the 17th November and congratulations must go to all candidates who were entered into the competition.

The candidates who went through to the represent their hotel at the finals however were

Charlotte Cooper-Dixon	Andaz
Smita Appadoo	Crowne Plaza The Docklands
Renee Bowden	London Hilton on Park Lane
Ariane Klein	Intercontinental Park Lane
Jonathan Vazquez	Intercontinental Park Lane
Vicky Hughes	Loch Lomond Golf CLub
Nancy Gentsch	The Gleneagles Hotel

The above seven finalists made their way to 51 Buckingham Gate on Monday 1st December where the finals were being held.

The Savoy Educational Trust kindly sponsor this annual event.

The final seven were put through a tough selection of specifically designed questions and a role play that aimed to test how each individual handled situations under pressure as well as testing them on their customer service handling skills.

The Judges who very kindly gave up their expertise and time again were as follows:

Julia Sibley	CEO, Savoy Educational Trust
Ian Hurst	General Manager Crowne Plaza St James & 51 Buckingham Gate
Duncan Couper	Front Of House Manager, Pennyhill Park
Helen Morris	Business Manager, Portfolio
Markus Mormels	Winner of the AICR UK Receptionist of the Year 2007
Corinne Bellaby	(Role play) Project Consultant in Hospitality & Leisure
Paul Fizia	(Role Play) General Manager Tophams Hotel

This year was a clear indication that the competition is getting stronger as it took the judges quite a while to come up with a decision for the winner and the runner up’s.

The decision made was announced during the cocktail award ceremony held at The Royal Garden Hotel with great support and turnout of many AICR members coming along to hear the results.

Finally, Smita Appadoo the ROTY winner 2008 is put forward to represent the AICR UK section at the International Receptionist of the Year Awards with a chance to win the coveted David Campbell Trophy. This competition was held in February 2009 at the Cote d'Azur. Smita Appadoo performed fantastically and was placed second in the International AICR Receptionist of the Year Award