Quest NZ Announces Winners Of Awards For 2005
The Quest group of serviced apartment hotels now has 16 locations throughout NZ, and at the annual conference of the
Quest International Group in Melbourne last week the NZ group made these awards to recognise the talented people within
the group.
Winner, Franchise of Year : David Compton
David and Gay Compton of Quest Newmarket won the Franchise of the Year award for New Zealand.
In winning this award, quite apart from David_s commitment and contributions via the Franchise Advisory Council and
other activities associated with the Group, they have shown an outstanding understanding of their business, its
customers, its target markets and to delivering consistently a Quest experience with its team. They have created a
Newmarket team that focuses on client satisfaction and plans the business to measure and achieve an "Ongoingness" in the
guest experience. David and Gay are a great example of success for us all.
David comments:
"I am very pleased at the recognition of the Quest Newmarket team which is young and relatively inexperienced. The front
desk team is about a year old and the housekeeping team about 2 years old. I am thrilled that they have bought into the
vision to the extent they have.
My vision of customer service has 3 elements to it;
The Quest processes which have been developed from years of working in the Serviced Apartment business,
The guests we have are a real pleasure to serve,
I recall the downside of business travel from my own experience and try to minimise this for our guests.
The size of the property, the number of long stay guests and high level of repeat guests create a very neighbourly
atmosphere which new guests enter and quickly join.
There is a noticeable relaxing into the "home away from home" culture that is engendered by well run serviced apartment
accommodation and a growing call for it from business people who are travelling regularly. The décor and furnishing at
Quest Newmarket supports the "home" feel with deep armchairs, DVDs that allow guests to bring and play their own music
and DVDs which can be hired from a nearby outlet. Good gym arrangements and parks for walking or running in are really
appreciated by those who are used to hotelling in the CBD when they travel. A wide choice of restaurants and bars are
within walking distance as are the offices for most of our guests.
We have tried to integrate the Quest experience into the Newmarket experience through working with local businesses and
endeavouring to capture the chic but casual atmosphere of the locale."
Employee of the Year _ New Zealand : Ngawai Walden
Ngawai Walden - Quest Auckland won the Employee of the Year - New Zealand, Ngawai's prize was received on her behalf by
Greg Cohen. Ngawai has been with Quest since it first commenced operations in New Zealand back in 1997 at Quest
Auckland. She is a very positive example of someone who has grown on the journey in ability and confidence, and is a
fine ambassador for the "Quest Way" In February 2006, Ngawai will take up her new role in the Quest Group by taking on
the Management of the Quest on Queen operation. Well done!!
Greg Cohen, owner of Quest Auckland, comments:
"It has been a pleasure to nurture such a dedicated young person, Ngawai is a wonderful host and exerts the Quest way.
Her commitment to customer service the hospitality industry and The Quest brand is second to none. we look forward to
watch her grow and become the youngest Manager in the Quest group with opening of her own property Quest on Queen March
2006."