Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans has been selected as one of the city’s Top Workplaces by The Times-Picayune and Nola.com.
Employee satisfaction levels were reflected in the long tenure of Convention Center employees. The staff of 300 full-time employees has 2,737 combined years of experience – an average of nine years per employee, with median tenure of seven years. In comparison, the U.S. Department of Labor reported the national median employee tenure in 2014 at 4.6 years.
The Convention Center’s Event Services Managers have even greater longevity. Between the 10 managers, the average tenure is 15 years, with four managers achieving tenure of 28 or more years.
New Orleans’ Top Workplaces are determined solely on employee feedback. Employees expressed, among several others, their highest satisfaction level for the Convention Center’s pay rates, which are competitive with national wages, and benefits package.
“It’s a testament to our employees’ satisfaction that the Convention Center has been honored as a Top Workplace. When we implemented the SPICE Customer Service Program seven years ago, one of the goals was to make the Convention Center a place where employees would sincerely feel good about doing their jobs, and in turn create a positive experience for our guests,” said Bob Johnson, president/general manager, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The acronym SPICE stands for:
S – Serve with flexibility and a sense of urgency;
P – Perform with pride and passion;
I – Identify issues and provide solutions;
C – Convey a positive attitude;
E – Exceed expectations always.
All 500 full-time and part-time employees are required to attend regular training on the five Customer Service Standards that are the guiding philosophy of the program. These standards are reinforced during a daily “SPICE Rack” meeting. During the Spice Rack, employees are encouraged to recognize fellow employees for exceptional acts of service. The Convention Center also holds motivational, educational and teambuilding events for employees during the year, to reinforce the program.
“Our efforts have been successful, and the guests, our clients, have taken notice. The Convention Center has received numerous industry awards and letters from clients praising the heightened level of service. Our employees truly make a difference in our success,” Johnson added.
The employee survey was conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement.
For more information about the Top Workplaces lists, visit topworkplaces.com
For more information about job opportunities at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, visit mccno.com/business-opportunities/career
