It’s Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos. What Are Your Plans for Super Bowl Sunday?

fanswatchinggameIt’s that time of year again; Super Bowl XLVIII is scheduled for this Sunday! If you aren’t working and are looking for a place to watch the game, there are plenty of options and places to join the party all over Las Vegas. It doesn’t matter which team you’re rooting for, if you prefer snacks and a pint at the pub, or cheering loud with the casino crowd, there’s something out there for everyone. Check out this extensive list of parties all over town, provided by Vegas Chatter.

If you’re working during the big game, remember to be extra careful in checking identification, and in observing customers. Special events like the Super Bowl can lead to high energy levels, increased excitement and celebration, and sometimes overindulgence. For a list of ways to focus on responsible service, refer to our blog post, “Are You Doing All You Can to Help Prevent Drunk Driving?

As a reminder, if you need to renew your TAM® Card before Sunday, our office offers TAM® classes and exam proctoring six days a week. Register on our website or visit our new office fifteen minutes before the start of class to register at the door, walk-ins are always welcome!

Remember, kick-off time this Sunday will be at approximately 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Where are you going to watch the game? If you’re working, is your establishment doing anything special for the day?

© 2014 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Las Vegas Restaurant Week Returns

restaurant_weekLas Vegas Restaurant Week is returning to town once again from August 23rd through August 30th.

Now in its seventh year, this event continues to be a resounding success and an opportunity for restaurants and diners alike to help Three Square, southern Nevada’s food bank, combat hunger. Restaurant Week offers up the chance for diners to check out some of the most popular eateries on and off the strip if they haven’t had the chance (or the budget!) just yet. Additionally, a portion of proceeds from each meal sold at participating restaurants will go to support Three Square Food Bank. How cool is that?

What does that mean for Las Vegas’ servers, bartenders and kitchen staffs? Prepare to be VERY busy! Expect crowds of hungry diners eager to sample cuisine from the dozens of participating restaurants. Diners are heavily encouraged to make reservations, so that removes the element of surprise for many establishments.

If you are a service professional at a participating restaurant, there are a few things you can do to manage the crowds, maximize your tips, and wow your guests. For starters, make sure you can explain to guests a little bit about the Restaurant Week program and how it will help the community – your guests will feel good about participating in a worthy cause, and your restaurant also gets kudos for the same. Additionally, make sure you are familiar with the prixe fixe menus and are able to answer questions about Restaurant Week options (ex – menu substitutions, exclusions). Need a little more advice on how to keep your cool during this busy period? Make sure to read our blog post, “Feel Like You’re Stuck in a Pressure Cooker? Managing Stress on the Job.”

To learn more about Las Vegas Restaurant Week, Three Square Food Bank, and participating restaurants, you can visit the event website here.

Is your establishment participating in Restaurant Week? Which restaurants are you most excited to dine at?

© 2013 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

A Recent String of DUI Crashes on Las Vegas Roads are a Cause for Concern

drunk_drivingOn August 1st, a suspected impaired driver struck and killed a teen driver on a motorcycle (Fox5). This marks the 59th traffic-related fatality in Las Vegas Metro Police’s jurisdiction so for in 2013, and the 12th related to impaired driving. Then, on Saturday night, an accused drunk driver caused a chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles, including a limousine carrying ten passengers (News3). While the total number of DUI arrests is down this year so far compared to 2012, each arrest is one too many. Drunk driving is a serious problem that can harm not only the impaired driver, but also others who share the roads; passengers, pedestrians, and innocent bystanders.

As a service professional, what can you do help prevent customers from driving while impaired and keep things safe? The first defense for sales professionals is a thorough knowledge of local and state laws, and mandatory alcohol awareness training from TAM® of Nevada. For more tips on how to help prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel, check out our blog post “Are You Doing All You Can to Prevent Drunk Driving?

Let’s all work together to make the second half of 2013 safer for the Las Vegas metropolitan community.

Resources

© 2013 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Have Questions About Your TAM Card? We’ve Got Answers!

Frequently Asked QuestionsHere at TAM® of Nevada, we’re dedicated to excellent customer service, and educating our customers about the ins and outs of beverage service compliance here in Nevada. We’re open six days a week to teach classes and answer your questions. We often find ourselves providing details to our customers on several of the same topics. Here are the answers to some of your most burning questions:

  1. Can I also obtain my Sherriff/Work Card at the TAM® Office? Unfortunately, no. We are the only location in Nevada where you can obtain an official TAM® Card, but you’ll need to go elsewhere for your other employment requirements. A Sherriff/Work Card may be obtained from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. For more information on Sherriff’s Cards, refer to the LVMPD website.
  2. What forms of picture I.D. are accepted for proof of identification at the TAM® Office? You’ll need to show us a picture I.D. before completing your proctored exam and picking up your card. Luckily, we accept several forms of I.D.! In addition to Nevada and out-of-state driver’s licenses, passports, and state ID cards, please refer to our website for a completing listing of valid forms of identification.
  3. What if I lost my TAM® Card or changed my last name? We often hear from students who have lost their TAM® Card, or changed their last name after marriage and were directed by their HR Office to update their TAM® Cards. If you originally obtained your card from TAM® of Nevada and it was not expired, there is no need to repeat the class! You may obtain a replacement TAM® Card at our office at a cost of $10. Please visit us during business hours, and bring photo identification. We’ll take your picture and print your new card right away.
  4. My TAM® Card is expired. How do I renew my card? Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “shorter” class for students who need to renew their alcohol education cards. State law mandates that students must complete the ENTIRE program following specific topics and curriculum every four years in order to remain in compliance. Plan on dedicating about 3 hours to your course – either online or in the classroom, followed by a short exam. Trade in your old card and get a new TAM Card® today.
  5. I want to attend class tomorrow. Do I need to register online, or can I walk-in? The choice is entirely up to you! You may visit our website to register for an upcoming course, or you may review our schedule and choose one of our convenient class times without pre-registering. For walks-ins, please arrive fifteen minutes before class begins to register at the door.

Still have questions? Visit the FAQs section of our website where you may find the answers you are looking for. You may also contact us by phone at 702-545-6664, email at [email protected], or send us a Facebook message at www.facebook.com/tamnevada. We’re happy to hear from you and look forward to answering your questions!