Wake Tech Honored with Prestigious Thad Eure Award Convention and Visitors Bureau Recognizes College for Hospitality
Training Program    

RALEIGH - Wake Technical Community College has received the Thad Eure, Jr. Memorial Award for 2009, in recognition of the College’s customer service training programs and their impact on the region’s hospitality services. The award, named for the well-known restaurateur and community leader, is the longest running and most prestigious handed out by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB). It was presented to Wake Tech President Stephen Scott today at the Bureau’s annual meeting. 

Since 2007, Wake Tech has partnered with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau to develop and deliver customer service training for front-line staff in restaurants, hotels, and other components of our local hospitality community. To date, more than 300 hospitality employees in Wake County have been trained in the art of customer service.

Last year, Wake Tech trained the staff of the new Raleigh Convention Center as they prepared for their grand opening - and afterwards as well. The training program, which focuses on strategic planning and leadership skills in addition to customer service, was developed by Jane Broden, a faculty member in Wake Tech's Hospitality program, along with staff from Wake Tech's Continuing Education division, the GRCVB, and partners from area restaurants, hotels, and visitor attractions.

”Wake Tech is deeply honored to receive this award,” said President Scott, “and proud to be in partnership with community leaders in the important work of making our community an inviting and welcoming one.
The capital city is known for so many good things - and we want quality and professionalism to be part of that.”

About Wake Technical Community College:
Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is a two-year, public institution providing education and training for the citizens of Raleigh and surrounding Wake County. Wake Tech provides a comprehensive array of learning opportunities and serves an annual enrollment of more than 65,000 students. Curriculum (for-credit) programs in more than 150 academic, vocational, and technical specialties offer two-year associate degrees in science, applied science, the arts, and general education; university transfer programs for entry into four-year institutions; and diploma and certificate programs that prepare workers to succeed at jobs in high demand in the community. Wake Tech also offers a broad scope of continuing education courses, including training for entrepreneurs and small business owners, public safety officer training (fire, rescue, and law enforcement), high school equivalency classes, and non-credit courses for personal and professional development. As the second largest community college in the state, Wake Tech provides customized workforce training for new and expanding industries and a cooperative education program that interfaces with the corporate community. For more information, please visit http://www.waketech.edu.