When it comes to customer service, Emma Levin is at the top of her game—so much so that in 2015 she received the Hospitality Hero award from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The award recognizes those in the industry with exceptional customer service skills. Levin was a cocktail server at Tropicana and had only been with the property for three years when she received the award. Today, she’s still with Tropicana and her hard work has helped her rise from server to her current position as food and beverage assistant manager.
“Customer service, if you have it, you have it,” Levin says. “Always treat people like you want to be treated. Everyone is a VIP. Customers love the personal touch.”
It’s that personal touch that she continues to bring to the job every day, whether she’s overseeing the new Trago Lounge, helping out at the pool or assisting with the theater and casino beverage operations. “I never really sit down,” she says. “I like to be hands-on.”
The path to get where she is today wasn’t always easy, Levin says. When she moved to the U.S. from the Philippines more than 25 years ago, she started out as a driver for Domino’s. After years of hard work, she made it all the way up to management. But when she moved to Las Vegas eight years ago, no one would give her a shot in the food and beverage industry.
“Until Tropicana,” Levin says. “It was a group interview and they ended up hiring me. Tropicana, they gave me a chance and I am thankful to them for where I am right now. They opened so many doors for me. And who knows how high up I could go one day.”
Blueberry Lemon Drop
Trago Lounge is Tropicana’s newly remodeled space for those that want to enjoy specialty cocktails and classic cocktails with a twist while kicking back inside swank surroundings that have a modern, speakeasy-type feel. Open 24 hours a day, Trago offers weekly drinks specials, so always check with the bartender. But if you’re unsure of what to try, we suggest you start off with the delicious Blueberry Lemon Drop. This delight is a blend of Skyy Infusion Pacific Blueberry vodka, Cointreau, muddled blueberries and fresh lemon and lime juices, and is finished off with a sugar rim.
