Brooklyn Park Hotel Worker Named ‘Hospitality Rockstar’
Stephanie Gulner was in her year-end meeting on Thursday.
“We were talking about budget and end of year and how much we’ve all accomplished in all of our departments,” said Gulner, who manages the food and drink outlets at Minneapolis Marriott Northwest hotel in Brooklyn Park, which includes the hotel’s restaurant, Wadsworth, and its café.
Then the unexpected happened.
Gulner was pulled out of her meeting and treated to a pleasant surprise.
Minneapolis Northwest Tourism announced that Gulner was this year’s recipient of its “Hospitality Rockstar” award.
“Totally emotional. I’m honored. Taken aback,” was Gulner’s immediate reaction.
Hotel management nominated Gulner for the honor.
“Stephanie is a leader that any property would die for!” her nomination read. “They truly don’t make em’ like Stephanie anymore. Stephanie loves to have fun, but also get things done.
Gulner says the key to her industry is keeping it fun.
“Hospitality in my world I believe is we get to know people and adjust to whatever people need,” she said. “I feel like if you make people feel like they’re welcome and that they belong, they’ll always come back because they feel like they’re at home.”
In addition to the surprise, Gulner also received a $500 visa gift card for her hospitality service.
