The Bluegrass Tourism Ambassador Program (BTAP) is part of a nation-wide certified hospitality-training program started by Mickey Schaefer & Associates, founder of the Tourism Ambassador Institute. BTAP is designed to ensure a consistent message and a high level of hospitality from front line employees to ensure visitors have a positive experience in the Bluegrass. The hospitality program certifies volunteers and employees on an annual basis.

Mr. Taxi’s drivers, David Carrington, Donna Carrington, Sheila Fugate, James Gould, Jeff Harney, Keith Nutter, Jesse Slone and Randy Glover, felt that they could better serve their customers if they knew more about our community. Taking the initiative to go beyond what is required, these drivers spent three hours learning the history, demographics, events and points of interest that make our community unique and appealing.

Donna Carrington, Mr. Taxi driver said, “After spending most of my life in Lexington, I thought I knew a lot, but I found out there was so much I didn’t know. I’m glad I took this class because now I’ll be able to provide more information about Lexington and surrounding areas. Also, customers often ask me, ‘what’s going on here?’ Now I can tell them because with my CTA membership, I will get regular updates about what is going on in our community. I think everyone should take this class.”

“Having members of the industries that serve our community and tourists seek certification is beneficial to our community,” said Julie Schickel, BTAP Program Manager. “The Bluegrass Tourism Ambassador Program provides CTA’s the necessary tools to help create positive memorable experiences, a fundamental component of the program, thus increasing the probability of turning a first time visitor into a repeat visitor.”

These certifications are part of Mr. Taxi’s commitment to our customers. Earlier this year, all Mr. Taxi drivers were CPR and first aid trained by the American Red Cross. “Safety is a priority for our company. We knew that we could and should do more than just provide safe vehicles. Training our drivers in life-saving techniques provides our customers an extra level of safety in our taxis,” said Greg Kujawski, President and Founder of Mr. Taxi.



The CTA certification makes Mr. Taxi drivers valuable resources of information about our city to anyone who gets in their taxis. “These drivers are only the beginning. Our goal is that all drivers will seek the CTA certification so that any time someone gets into a Mr. Taxi, they will get more than just a ride to their destination. Mr. Taxi’s customers will get a courteous and knowledgeable driver who will represent our city and its people, businesses and attractions well,” said Michelle Sjogren, Chief Communications Officer of Mr. Taxi. “With $1.5 billion generated by tourism each year, we must all do our parts to encourage this business to return.”




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