Cote Hospitality Transforms Employee Engagement with New People-First Culture and G.U.I.D.E. Mentorship Program

Minneapolis, MN - In an industry grappling with low engagement and high turnover, Cote Hospitality is rewriting the script with a bold, people-first approach. With historic properties in Minnesota and Arizona, the company is prioritizing leadership training, mentorship, and meaningful benefits to drive employee satisfaction and success.

When Agnelo Fernandes joined the organization as CEO in 2023, he brought a "people first" philosophy. Aligning with the company's mission of ‘Enriching Lives,' Fernandes repositioned the Human Resources department to People Services, and this team collaborated with property leadership on initiatives to enhance the associate experience. The company launched an enhanced engagement survey to measure its progress in listening to employees and ensuring their satisfaction, and from 2023 to 2024, the employee engagement score rose almost 10%. Participation increased to 72% at Grand View Lodge and a remarkable 85% at Tanque Verde Ranch.

In response to employee feedback, Cote Hospitality rolled out a series of people-first initiatives designed to foster employee engagement, retention, and career growth. This included:

• Prioritized hiring for cultural fit and shared values over just skillset, ensuring long-term success at its resorts and camps.
• Stable medical benefits and expanded annual holiday premium pay from three to ten days despite rising costs.
• Direct employee access to leadership through bi-annual Town Halls, to ask candid questions and provide input.
• Guiding principles centered around workplace culture, including COTE Cares, Core Values (I.C.A.R.E.), and Service Values (G.R.A.C.E.).
• Leadership recognition programs that ensure senior executives know every employee by name and actively celebrate their contributions.
• A learning management system for investing in future leaders, designed to develop young managers and foster career advancement.

Introducing G.U.I.D.E.: A Mentorship Program for Future Leaders

As part of its commitment to growing internal talent, Cote Hospitality is launching the G.U.I.D.E. Mentorship Program. This six-month leadership development initiative includes bi-weekly coaching sessions focused on six core leadership pillars, including team building, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders while aligning with the company's long-term mission.

"Our people are our greatest asset and are instrumental in delivering our mission," said Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality. "The G.U.I.D.E. Mentorship Program reflects our dedication to enriching lives, fostering career growth, and building strong connections. Investing in our people is the surest path to delivering exceptional guest experiences."

To learn more about Cote Hospitality's award-winning culture and the G.U.I.D.E. Mentorship Program, please contact Cami Black at camib@62above.com.

About Cote Hospitality

For over 100 years, Cote Hospitality has curated intimate resort and camp experiences in Nisswa, Minnesota, featuring the historic and award-winning Grand View Lodge Spa & Golf Resort, Camp Lincoln for Boys, and Camp Lake Hubert for Girls, along with Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. With a mission to enrich lives through exceptional experiences, Cote Hospitality also provides consulting services in resort management, golf, spa, technology, and food & beverage operations. Learn more at www.cotehospitality.com.