| | 8 HOSPITALITY BUSINESS REVIEWDECEMBER 2025Creating Loyalty Through Culture The hospitality industry is known for high turnover rates. Still, I firmly believe that loyalty begins with a strong culture built on a foundation of respect, recognition, transparency, and opportunity. Both frontline and salaried team members need to feel valued and heard.I focus on building genuine personal connections with team members. Regular check-ins, team-building initiatives, and recognition programs help create a sense of belonging and reinforce that every role is crucial to the company's success.We also strongly emphasize career growth. Providing clear career pathways and promoting from within ensure that employees can see a future with us, helping them stay engaged and committed.Beyond job responsibilities, we prioritize and foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that extends beyond traditional expectations and encourages deeper connection with the organization.Embedding Inclusivity as a Business AdvantageInclusivity is not about checking boxes but making everyone feel welcomed and valued for their unique contributions. At Monarch Casino Resort Spa, we treat everyone like diamonds.We partner with community organizations to build diverse sourcing pipelines, ensuring broad representation in our applicant pipelines. Our hiring process includes structured yet conversational interviews and bias training is provided to reduce unconscious bias and make more balanced hiring decisions.Tony Silva is the Talent Acquisition and Development Manager at Monarch Casino Resort Spa ­ Black Hawk, bringing over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. His leadership journey spans hotel operations and talent strategy, having overseen operations across 18 properties for Marriott and Drury Hotels. Known for his people-first approach, Tony believes leadership is less about authority and more about nurturing potential. His career highlights include growing workforce capacity by 20% in challenging labor markets, revitalizing underperforming properties, and being named the "2023 Hospitality Leader of the Year." At Monarch, he has led transformative recruitment initiatives, rebuilt Applicant Tracking Systems, and enhanced candidate experience metrics to align talent acquisition with long-term organizational goals. Tony views his role not simply as a job, but as a calling to create environments where individuals thrive and culture drives performance.SHAPING TALENT WITH PURPOSE: BUILDING HOSPITALITY'S NEXT GENERATIONBy Tony Silva, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager, Monarch Casino Resort Spa ­ Black HawkTony SilvaIN MY OPINION
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