Employees of several Camana Bay restaurants raised the bar for customer service and responsible serving of alcohol after attending a Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) session on Monday, 28 May, 2018. National Drug Council (NDC) Prevention Officer Simon Miller led the session held at Camana Bay, aimed at coaching attendees on the effects of alcohol consumption, and offering training on how to gauge patron behaviour and to choose appropriate responses.
With more than 15 food and beverage outlets, Camana Bay is a popular spot for dining and happy hours. “It is important to us that Camana Bay remains a safe and enjoyable environment for all of who live, visit and work here, so offering the TIPS training programme to our bars and restaurants is just one initiative that we believe supports these goals,” explained Linda Podlaski, vice president of property management at Dart Real Estate. “The work that the National Drug Council has done over the years with this programme has been a valuable addition to the hospitality industry in the Cayman Islands and we are delighted to work with the NDC team.”
Consisting of a training session lasting between three and five hours and a final certification examination, the NDC introduced the training programme to the Cayman Islands 14 years ago.
“There was then, and continues to be, a concern with respect to the sale of alcohol to, and consumption of alcohol by, minors, as well as alcohol-related accidents, injuries and deaths,” explained Brenda Watson, programmes manager at the NDC. “Also, changing socioeconomic factors have fuelled a demand for services in the hospitality industry – in particular the number of licensed establishments serving alcoholic beverages.”
On successful completion of the final examination, attendees receive a three-year internationally recognised certification. “This helps them to balance outstanding customer service with responsible alcohol sales for their guests,” explained Ms. Watson.
The NDC has offered training to establishments on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac since the inception of the TIPS programme and has two certified TIPS trainers on staff. The overall aim is that participants work to maintain a safe and responsible environment for their customers. “It is our hope that participants will return to work with an increased sense of confidence, security and professionalism,” Ms. Watson said.
The NDC works to address increasing community concerns including driving under the influence, underage drinking, incidents of violence under the influence, and increased levels of intoxication. Ms. Watson believes acceptable standards for serving and selling alcohol in the Cayman Islands will become “the norm” with managers and bartenders of liquor-licensed establishments being TIPS-trained and certified, and will ultimately help prevent alcohol-related tragedies.
ABOUT CAMANA BAY
A destination within a destination, Camana Bay is a vibrant town located in the heart of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory.
Situated on 685 acres between Seven Mile Beach and the North Sound, this mixed-use, master-planned community is one of the first examples of New Urbanism in the Caribbean. Developed by Dart Real Estate in collaboration with an award-winning team of visionaries, Camana Bay offers a one-of-a-kind mix of thoughtfully designed residential, commercial and public spaces, world-class shopping and dining, as well as family-friendly entertainment, events and attractions.
For more information on Camana Bay, visit CamanaBay.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
ABOUT DART REAL ESTATE
Dart Real Estate is a development company based on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory.
The company’s flagship development is the 685-acre mixed-use, master-planned town of Camana Bay, the Caribbean’s first and only community founded on the principles of New Urbanism. Dart Real Estate also manages Regatta Office Park, Flagship Building, Island Plaza and the Cayman Islands Yacht Club. It developed the residential neighbourhoods of North Creek and Salt Creek. In addition, the 26-acre Dart Nursery propagates and supplies native plants and trees for all of its developments and properties.
Dart Real Estate’s portfolio continues to grow with the addition of world-class Seven Mile Beach developments, including Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, The Residences at Seafire and an upcoming five-star resort and residences.
Dart Real Estate strives to enhance the quality of life and to create opportunities for all in the Cayman Islands through purposeful placemaking, meaningful connections and lasting experiences that transcend bricks and mortar.
For more information, visit dartrealestate.com and keep up with the latest developments on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.