As this week marks our National Customer Service Appreciation Week (NCSW) celebration, the Central Illinois Customer Service Association (CILCSA) would like to take a moment to thank our members, business partners, friends, and promoters for support over the years.
National Customer Service Week is an international celebration of the importance of service and of the people who serve and support customers daily. In 1992 the United States Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week as a nationally recognized event, celebrated annually during the first full week in October. As such, CILCSA considers NCSW to be our social homecoming of sorts. So, as we reflect on our accomplishments and express our gratitude, CILCSA would like to share some history and lineage of our organization.
CILCSA was formed and incorporated in December of 2014 as a brainchild of a few business leaders in our community who remain passionate about the Springfield community, and its potential to become the “Friendliest City in Illinois”.
In the summer of 2015, we hosted our very first social at a local country club to create awareness of our mission with hopes that area businesses would join our cause. As a result, we generated a modest base of corporate members (six to be exact) and we offered our first educational program in October focusing on navigating challenging customers in the marketplace. The event was successful, and more area businesses joined our organization.
In 2019 our membership grew. We enhanced our website and digital communication efforts and welcomed Visit Springfield, and the City of Springfield’s continued support with marketing and promotion of CILCSA with hopes of attracting visitors to Springfield to experience a higher level of exceptional customer service.
The year of 2020 is one that no one will ever forget due to the pandemic, but our group endured, and we are proud to say that no members cancelled their support of CILCSA during this year.
CILCSA has certainly grown and accomplished many goals since its inception, thanks to the support of our 150 members and community members at large. We remain a 100% volunteer-based organization with no brick-and-mortar expenses. We take pride in knowing that 100% of CILCSA membership dues are allocated toward programs that benefit our members.
Our members recognize us as a group who delivers “quality over quantity” customer service programs that continually remind people to smile, because we are in Springfield. We promote customer service and recognize many front-line employees throughout Springfield for creating WOW experiences. But most importantly we have a lot of fun collaborating with the great people of Springfield, Illinois.
In closing, as you take a moment to thank your staff this week for providing great customer service, we hope that you know CILCSA thanks you for your tremendous support. “Smile you are in Springfield”.
Sincerely,
The CILCSA Board of Directors