Message from Tim Lam

 

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am so thankful and grateful to all of our current students and alums who have filled the halls of the school with joy and happiness. I have heard that many students are preparing themselves to apply for hospitality employment. I encourage our students to take advantage of the career advice and services offered throughout the semester. Interview and resume preparation are just a few of the complimentary workshops that our offered to our students. I also encourage students to attend the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) class. This is an amazing credential to achieve. 

 

Being a part of TISOH is my dream, my passion and my career. This will never be a job and is all thanks to the wonderful people I meet daily that truly enrich my life. 


Sincerely, 

Tim Sig
TISOH Executive Director

TISOH Halloween scares up some spooktacular costumes

Students transformed into their alter egos for a wonderful potluck and Halloween celebration. The delectable goodies were definitely a treat for all. 

Jingle Bell Jam - Saturday, December 6 - Register today!

Celebrate the holidays with your TISOH family at the Jingle Bell Jam on Saturday, December 6th from 6pm to 9pm at The Commissary at Downtown Grand! 

Admission is $25 per person. Our hip event venue, The Commissary by Executive Chef Richard Sandoval, is located in the fabulous Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino.  Enjoy the musical entertainment and comedy of piano man Frank Salerno from acclaimed piano bar "Don't Tell Mama" and Bellagio's Baccarat Bar.  His unique renditions of pop artists from Pharrell to Bruno Mars will make you sing-along in stitches.  Menu highlights include holiday cheese board & charcuterie platter, apple cider-brined turkey & charred haricot verts, hot chocolate bar, holiday desserts and more.  This is the perfect mixer to mingle with alums, faculty, and industry friends while enjoying great food and entertainment.  All are welcome. Not to be missed!


 

To RSVP, please visit: https://tisohalumni.eventbrite.com

 


 


 

Have you ever thought about becoming a Concierge or learning about what it takes to be successful in the field? 

 

Do you display one or more of the traits listed below? If so, explore your option in entering one of the most sought out careers in hospitality. 

 


 

 

 

 

#1  Do you have a passion for helping others?

 

Are you the person who helps others while they are lost or new to an area?  If so, being a Concierge is all about familiarizing your guests to the wonderful attractions, events, and meals that Las Vegas has to offer.  


#2  Are you a problem solver?

 

Do you know how to get things done when others cannot?  Problem solving and negotiating are two very important traits when entering the Concierge field.  Guests may want the impossible.  A Concierge can often make the impossible possible.


#3  Are you a mover and shaker?

 

Networking is critical to building contacts in the Concierge industry.  Do you enjoy trying new things and exploring the nuances of the city?  If so, Concierge may be your calling!


#4  Are you creative and artistic? 

 

Guests may ask for the most unique requests.  Some of the more bizarre requests may include hiring a dancing chimpanzee, creating a fiesta with a live mariachi band, preparing engagement proposals, and much more.  If you have a vivid imagination and passion for executing remarkable memories, the Concierge industry can certainly accommodate that need.


#5  Can you smile on a rainy day?

 

Attitude is everything in the concierge industry. Being optimistic about all requests and feeling gratified by the happiness of others is a very important concierge trait. 

 

Ready to get started?  Explore the Art of Concierge certificate program or the Executive Diploma in Hospitality Operations with Emphasis in Hotel Operations and Concierge Services.

NACE Las Vegas Gala celebrates 2014 Honoree Michele Polci

Congratulations to Michele Polci CMP, CPCE, NACE Las Vegas 2014 Honoree, celebrated for her many years of dedication, service, and achievement within the NACE family.  In this glittering event hosted at the scenic Skyview Rooms at Bally's Las Vegas, the who's who of the events / catering world were at attendance to honor one of their own.  

Congratulations to all of the evening's award winners and nominees, including TISOH's Patti Shock CPCE, CHT for winning the coveted Legacy Award and to Michael Testagrossa CPCE, CHE, for winning Member of the Year. TISOH salutes Michael as he leads the Las Vegas NACE Chapter into the next two years as its able president.  TISOH wishes the new board best wishes as they keep up the good work in making this Las Vegas Chapter one of the very best.

Student Highlights


 


 


 

Bianka earned her certificate in Conference Management and Event Planning. She is currently the Creative Services Coordinator for Hello Las Vegas!

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra earned her certificate in Wedding Coordination & Design. She is currently an Assistant Wedding Consultant at the Wynn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelsie earned her certificate Conference Management and Event Planning. She is currently an Event Coordinator at California State University San Marcos. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna earned her certificate in Conference Management and Event Planning. She is currently the Sales Coordinator for Hilton  Lake Las Vegas Resort.

 

 

 

 

 

SLS exemplifies Style, Luxury and Service during site visit

The Hospitality Leadership and Supervision class were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour at the SLS which included presentations from the concierge, housekeeping and human resources leadership teams. During our experience, the leadership team communicated the values, history, and culture of the SLS.  We would like to thank Ben Zaidi, Firooz Moradian, Shay Powell, Elba Araujo, Yassine Lyoubi and the entire SLS team for being so gracious and sharing their amazing company culture with our students.

FASTtrack class welcomes a diverse and international group

Our recent group of FASTtrack students travelled the globe from Cuba, Brazil, Costa Rica and Egypt to experience the five-week fast-paced Conference Management and Event Planning Certificate program. The program includes site visits, guest speakers from industry experts and a 30-hour practical externship.  

TISOH administrators attend ACCET conference in San Diego

The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) held their annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Hotel and Resort in San Diego, California. The topic was "A Partnership for Quality: Building on the Best". The conference included seminars, workshops, and learning sessions from the very best in their field. 

Certified Guest Service Professional

We are pleased to announce that the next Certified Guest Service Professional Program(CGSP�) class will take place on Thursday, November 20th from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The CGSP is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. The Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP�) designation provides recognition for those individuals that know how to achieve and express exceptional service by engaging with their guests and creating memorable experiences. Successful candidates will receive a certificate and CGSP� gold lapel pin, to be worn in recognition of their knowledge and skills in guest service. 

To qualify for the CGSP� designation individuals must: 

  • *Successfully complete the training seminar 
  • *Be currently employed in any hospitality position or a current student at TISOH
  • *Successfully pass the 30-question certification exam with a score of 70% or higher 

The fee is $75 to attend the course. You may be eligible to qualify for a Timothy SY Lam Foundation Scholarship for this course by visiting http://timothysylam.org/cgsp1.aspx 


 

If you qualify and fill out the application, the course is available for a $20 registration fee. Please complete the form and return it by Tuesday, November 18th. Please let Chris Tamura know if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions. 

Rodney's Corner


 Hello! My name is Rodney Nelson (TISOH alum 2012). I currently serve on the alumni association board as the Community Relations Chair. Once a month, I will give our readers different organizations to join in the hospitality industry to assist with networking and helping each other grow as a community.


Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association (SNHCA)

 

The Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association (SNHCA) was formed in 1990.  SNHCA was designed to include concierges from Las Vegas and other additional cities of Southern Nevada for membership including Mesquite, Laughlin, and Primm. To become a member, all applicants must be residents of Southern Nevada, be at least 21 years of age, classified as a full-time, part-time, steady extra, or on-call employee, must be employed at a hotel-owned concierge department with a lobby-level desk that serves a transient clientele and must work on the premises where the desk is located, must primarily perform the functions of a concierge, and must have passed probation in his or her current concierge department.


 

SNHCA donates to 20 charities and also has a foundation for members in need. SNHCA is affiliated with Les Clefs d'Or USA and has over 17 sponsors. The president of SNHCA is TISOH alum Cecilia Darr who is currently the Concierge Supervisor at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort and Casino. Past presidents include TISOH instructors Debbie Brumfield and Doug Ward. For more information on how to join, please visit http://www.snhca.com/

 
 
As a human resources professional, I receive many requests to answer questions about resume writing, interviewing, and dealing with conflict at work and job transition. Listed below are the questions along with the answers. 
 
3 LIES that can get you FIRED in the future


LIE #1
 
Faking your education

According to The Society of Human Resources Management, only 34% of employers check education credentials on background checks. Many of the major CEO's who were caught lying about their education, started the lie in the earlier years as mailroom clerks, assistants, etc.


 

Advice: If you did not earn a degree, do not list the school on your resume unless still in progress. Employers want to see completion as opposed to some schooling. Did you earn the degree? Place it on your resume. If not, do not bother. 


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LIE #2

Buying a "degree" from a diploma mill

Diploma mills are schools that are unaccredited, with credentials easy to achieve, and often give credit based on life experiences without any classes or curriculum. 


 

Advice: It is illegal for people in the state of Nevada to use degrees that they did not earn or degrees that are granted based on 10% or more of the recipient's life experience.  If it sounds too good to be true to earn a Bachelor's or Master's in a short time, it probably is. 


 

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LIE #3  

Not telling the truth about arrests or criminal history

Honesty is the best policy in this case. Often times, people will omit criminal history from their application. Many employers conduct criminal background checks and they will find out if you are telling the truth. 


 

Advice: You must read the question carefully on the application. Some applications may ask if you have ever been arrested while others may ask have you ever been convicted. Always tell the truth. You are more likely to be fired for lying as opposed to telling the truth from the beginning. 




Chris Tamura is the Student Services Manager at TISOH. Chris is a regular contributor to My Vegas magazine's career column and is featured as a career counselor on Fox 5 The More Show.
 
2015 Spring Semester

Jan 20 to Apr 15

Enroll Now
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