Claudette Gallant bringing along lots of management experience

ABRAM-VILLAGE – April 21, 2016 – « The Acadian Musical Village in Abram-Village is aiming to restructure its internal operations to make them more efficient and profitable, » says Marcel Bernard, co-chair of the board of directors of the tourist attractions and community activities center.

« We feel we have found the ideal person to help us attain these goals: our new general manager Claudette, who has many years of experience in structural organization, human resource management and tourism management. In addition, she does a lot of volunteer work with community organizations, so she truly understands the challenges that organizations such as ours have to face. »

In fact, Gallant, who lives in Cape Egmont, has just wrapped up a 22-year career as a manager with the Island Waste Management Corporation.

Previously, she worked at the tourism complex Le Village in Mont-Carmel for four years as the manager of the handcraft shop, the hotel and the programs for Elderhostel groups. She also served for a year as interim executive director of the Conseil de développement coopératif and as director of the Evangeline Arts Centre for five years.

For several years now, she’s worked as a tireless volunteer on the board of directors of the Centre Goéland/Le Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante, which she helped to restructure.

The new manager, who will be working part time as needed, feels all of her previous experiences and lessons learned will help her rise above the considerable challenges that the Acadian Musical Village will present her.

Gallant says her principal priorities will be to develop an organizational chart of the various departments, to see if some of the positions can be combined and to put together a management team for the various departments in time for the 2016 summer season, which is fast approaching. She would want the give the opportunity to the employees to work in various departments to the attraction, according to available hours. She will conduct a major analysis of the human resources needs to ensure the hiring of an efficient and qualified staff with the intention of bringing stability for the upcoming season (which runs from mid-June to mid-September), as well as a first-class service. It is hoped her efforts will also help establish long-term stability.

PROFITABILITY

Gallant will also implement a number of recommendations contained in the report prepared by consultant Ron Robichaud, who has suggested a number of ways to streamline operations. Last year’s staff and board of directors had gotten a good start on implementing some of his recommendations.

The new manager said for this year, the majority of changes will be internal and structural. In regards to programming, she foresees no major changes this year. The « V’nez veiller » dinner-theatre and entertainment throughout the Acadian Musical Village and the main building will continue; the restaurant-bar La Trappe and La Galette Blanche bakery will continue offering their delicious foods. The gift shop the Galerie La Palette, The Musical Hall of Fame and the Terre Rouge Camp Ground will also continue to operate.

SENSE OF OWNERSHIP

Gallant said another one of her priorities will be to develop an incentive or rewards program designed to attract local people to the events and attractions of the Acadian Musical Village on a more regular basis throughout the summer season. She would like to ensure that locals feel that the Village belongs to them, that they consider it as a first destination to have a great meal, to have a drink and to enjoy a nice evening of musical entertainment with family and friends.

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CUTLINE: Claudette Gallant prepares to roll up her sleeves to take on the general manager position at the Acadian Musical Village in Abram-Village.

 

For more details:

Claudette Gallant
General Manager
Acadian Musical Village
902-854-3300