It may be a job most people do not think about regularly, but one man in Nashville, Tennessee is being honored for his efforts to do it well: Herman Patton is a greeter for Alamo Rental Car.
Patton des his part in a huge piece of Nashville's tourism economy, which raked in more than $6 billion last year.
According to the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Corp, most of the 14 million people who visited the city last year said they would come back to Nashville.
Nashville is at the top of friendly city lists across the world, and the Convention and Visitor’s Corp is saying thank you to the city's hospitality workers who make that happen with an honor called the Hitmaker Award.
Patton is being honored after he was nominated for finding a California man’s lost bag with valuables in it like a computer and family pictures.
“It just makes you feel good because you’re making a difference in this world. People may come with different things on their mind and might want to talk. It’s just two or three minutes to get to someone’s car, but it’s a world of conversation for them,” said Patton.
Patton is on the front lines of Nashville’s tourism industry.
“I love what I’m doing. People travel the world and pay all their money to do this and everything. They come from England and Switzerland to German. They come from everywhere and I get to see them for free! I love what I’m doing," Patton said.
Patton’s manager Nai Spencer says he gets compliments on him daily.
“Herman brings a positive and upbeat attitude every day. His energy is contagious. He personalizes every transaction and turns every transaction into an interaction with every customer” said Spencer.
The Convention and Visitor’s Corp hopes the Hitmaker Award not only honors employees like Patton for outstanding service but also encourages it among other tourism workers.
“There are two things that are universal. Kindness and a smile. And that’s what Nashville brings to you,” said Patton.
At the end of the year, each month’s Hitmakers are honored at a luncheon. If you have had a good experience in Nashville and want to nominate an individual, visit https://www.visitmusiccity.com/hitmakers .
