This Monday we closed all of the restaurants for our annual GABF party and the day was all about Iron Hill’s employees. I really can’t tell you how proud I am having such a wonderful staff. One of the most rewarding things I do is strive to create a company where employees can be valued and appreciated. I believe this translates directly into employees who truly believe in great customer service and I hope you agree!
Many companies have an annual Christmas party, but for someone in the restaurant business this just doesn’t work. In December we are usually the ones hosting those parties, so we created our annual party in the summer to allow our staff to celebrate everything that is Iron Hill and to give back to our employees. As usual, it was a fun night for all.
In 1997 we were getting ready to attend our first Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and we wanted to get out staff involved in the excitement of the event, sort of a pep rally, so we hosted our first party. The highlight of the night is always the GABF drawings. It is always great to see the excitement of the employees as they realize that someone is getting a free trip to Denver to attend the GABF! One employee from each restaurant is drawn to receive an expense paid trip to the GABF with the brewery staff. This year 8 lucky winners will be traveling to the GABF on September 29th through October 2nd to represent Iron Hill and experience the craft brewing community coming together to share some of the best beers brewed in the world!
Over the years, the party has changed to reflect how we have changed. It really is a celebration for our employees who are on the front lines of everything we do and are so important to our overall success. As always the staff looks great and goes out of their way to get dressed up in semi-formal attire. The first hour is a cocktail hour, followed by a brief awards ceremony then the party itself which consists of a casino night in one room and karaoke/dance party in another. Everyone is given $2,000 in funny money and can use their winnings to buy a prizes throughout the night. This year’s grand prize was a trip to Las Vegas! This year one of our server assistants from West Chester, Nick, was lucky enough to win the prize!
Great employees make for great companies, and I truly believe we have some of the best employees who truly believe in what we do at Iron Hill. Thanks to all of them for their hard work.
Here are some fun pics from the event! We’ve got one good looking staff! 2011 GABF Party
