Spotlight Interview – Dirk Talsma | Rapport Guest Services
Dirk Talsma is the Managing Director of Rapport Guest Services and Chair of the Corporate Receptionist of the Year Award. The Corporate Receptionist of the Year...
Read Full ArticleThe Corporate Guest Services Awards will replace the Corporate Receptionist of the Year Award to reflect the expanding role of guest services in the corporate sector.
The rebranded awards will celebrate professionals in the guest services sector and introduce a new award: “Leader of the Year”.
The “Receptionist of the Year” prize replaces the Corporate Receptionist of the Year Award, which will continue to celebrate front-of-house professionals.
The evolved Corporate Guest Services Awards will recognise a wider range of guest services and visitor management professionals, including receptionists, client service representatives, team leaders, managers, and supervisors. More categories are set to be added in the coming years.
“Building on the success of the Corporate Receptionist of the Year award, we’ve rebranded as the Corporate Guest Services Awards to reflect the industry’s evolving landscape."
–Dirk Talsma
Chair, Corporate Guest Services Awards
Dirk Talsma, Chair of Corporate Guest Services Awards, explained the change: “This year, we’ve made exciting changes to the competition to highlight the incredible opportunities that exist in the Corporate Guest Services industry and to truly celebrate the vital role of Corporate Receptionists and Reception Leaders.
“Building on the success of the Corporate Receptionist of the Year award, we’ve rebranded as the Corporate Guest Services Awards to reflect the industry’s evolving landscape.
“Corporate Receptionists and Leaders do much more than greet guests—they provide the final 5 per cent that elevates a client’s entire experience. The standout competitors will be those who are passionate about people and dedicated to making every interaction exceptional.”
Picture: a photograph of Dirk Talsma. Image Credit: Rapport Guest Services
Corporate guest service providers can nominate exceptional individuals from their teams, submitting one nominee per category.
Nominations are open from 10 April 2025 and close on 16 May at midnight.
Charleigh Churchill, 2024 Winner of Corporate Receptionist of the Year, reflects on her experience in the last year: “Winning Corporate Receptionist of the Year was a defining moment in my career. It reshaped my perspective, showing me that being a receptionist isn’t just a stepping stone—it’s a meaningful and impactful profession.
This recognition gave me a deep sense of purpose, fuelling my journey to becoming a Guest Services Team Leader. Today, I lead with passion, helping my team see that every interaction matters and that delivering memorable guest experiences is a career in its own right.
Beyond the award, I’ve had the honour of serving as a national ambassador for receptionists, mentoring others, and inspiring them to recognise the true value of their work in shaping guest services. The experience has strengthened my confidence as a leader and reinforced that service-oriented roles are essential, respected, and transformative.”
Picture: a photograph from 2024's Corporate Receptionist of the Year ceremony showing the finalists. Image Credit: Rapport Guest Services
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 16 April 2025
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