Business Strategy: "Be a Good Neighbor"

Establishing a strong bond with the local community is a smart business move that benefits everyone involved. It creates a positive impact that continues to grow and reap rewards over time.

One example of this is the relationship our property, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, has cultivated with local work-based learning programs.

Benefits to Students

Students involved in Margaritaville at Lanier Islands’ accredited WBL program who secure a job at the property receive academic credit in addition to their competitive pay. They have employment opportunities in a wide range of jobs, from our Fins Up Water Park to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort to the Port of Indecision Marina. These are typically summer seasonal positions, such as lifeguards, food and beverage, retail, tram drivers, groundskeepers, maintenance, dock attendants, supervisors, and more. Some year-round positions are also available to students.

Thumbs up!

Austin Anderson, speaking to high school students about careers in tourism and attractions

Each week, our managers meet with their students to mentor and complete the necessary assessments required by the school. Additionally, teachers conduct on-site visits to audit the experience and see what students are learning and experiencing.

During the school year, our Recruiting team, led by Ashley Steinmetz and Austin Anderson , donate their time and are actively involved in the schools. They participate in career coaching, mock job fairs, and technology and career events. They assist teachers with their curriculum by offering industry-specific training, role-playing and practicing job interview skills, and improving resume writing. Ashley and Austin are also frequent guest speakers in specialty classes such as culinary and marketing to provide real-world advice and information.

Recruitment and hiring

Before the start of each summer season, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands hires between 300 and 400 seasonal employees. Most of these positions are ideal for 16- to 18-year-old high schoolers and college students. Through our relationship with the schools, filling these seasonal summer positions has become significantly less stressful, with access to quality summer staff members.

Each spring, as we gear up for hiring, we schedule times to visit the high school lunchrooms. Here, we set up a booth to visit with students, answer their questions, and assist them with the job application process. We also advertise in the school with digital and paper flyers and on-site posters with QR codes directing students to apply for positions.

After many years in partnership, we are now a familiar fixture in the schools.

“During the summer, our seasonal staff can earn pins for accomplishing certain milestones, completing specific tasks, or winning a contest. I love seeing the students walking into the lunchroom proudly displaying their pins on their school backpacks, jackets, or even their shoes!”

— Ashley Steinmetz, Human Resources Manager, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Advancement and Retention

Ashley and Austin are quick to express their enthusiasm for participating in the WBL programs. They take as much pride in the success of the students as teachers and parents. Many students have spent their formative years working with us. Most of our student staff members who work one summer continue through the rest of their high school and college years. Many have made careers in the hospitality industry, with quite a few joining our team full-time and rising through the ranks to become leaders in our organization.

In fact, Ashley Steinmetz has been with the company for more than 21 years with Austin Anderson for 12 years. Both began as seasonal employees in their teens. It’s interesting to note that Ashley’s daughter is now a seasonal teen employee, too. Ashley and Austin have seen the benefits of the relationship between Margaritaville at Lanier Islands and our local schools from both sides of the equation.

Last year, they were both moved and honored to accept Hall County Schools’ Industry Partner of the Year award on behalf of Margaritaville at Lanier Islands.

Hall County Schools’ Industry Partner of the Year award

“These visits are always a great way to reconnect with last season’s staffers, but also for them to introduce their friends to us. We offer a referral bonus, but it’s clear they also have a sense of pride in being able to make a recommendation.”

— Austin Anderson, Human Resources Recruitment and Training Coordinator, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Benefits for all

Working together with the local community has been a relationship that keeps growing and improving. It requires time and commitment, but the value goes beyond the business ledger sheet or student report cards.

Students reap the rewards of real-world training and experience, mentorship, and competitive pay, along with an opportunity to build their resumes. Communities benefit from job creation, opportunities to positively engage teens in the summer months, the ability to offer augmented classroom learning, expertise to support teachers, and participation in school and local events.

From a business perspective, having access to a pool of seasonal staffers who are trained, supervised, motivated to work, and committed to staying with us over multiple seasons, or to build a career, is priceless.

And while it might sound like a cliche, any relationship that results in a win-win-win scenario is not only good for business, it’s what fuels and motivates us to continue to build our business so our local communities can thrive.