The DowntownDC BID’s Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs) took some time off from providing directions last week and allowed themselves to get lost in the new BIG Maze at the National Building Museum (401 F Street NW) in DowntownDC.
SAMs met at the museum for their employee of the month meeting and were offered a sneak peek of the BIG Maze exhibit before it opened to the public on July 4. The exhibit consists of a huge maple plywood-walled maze designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels which is reminiscent of a corn maze, labyrinth or hedge maze and is large enough for both adults and children to enjoy. What is different about this maze is that the 18 foot high walls become shorter as you reach the center of the maze, providing a surprising “grand reveal” of the entire structure once you find your way.
Admission is $16 per adult and $13 per child, student or senior. A discounted price is available to museum members. [For more information about the BIG Maze, click here.]
SAMs have added this temporary exhibit, on display through September 1, to their regular roster of Downtown happenings to note to DowntownDC visitors, residents and workers who inquire about local happenings.
Museum President Chase Rynd, a BID board member, addressed the SAMs as they met last week in the museum’s auditorium and thanked the SAMs for all they do for Downtown. SAMs were invited to enter the exhibit before it opened to the public and later ventured down to take pictures of the never-before-seen structure.
BID Deputy Executive Director Richard Reinhard at last week’s meeting rose to thank the SAMs for their assistance with the successful Downtown World Cup Viewing Party on Freedom Plaza on July 1, which was attended by nearly 5,000 guests primed to watch the USA v. Belgium game.
There, SAMs helped keep the plaza clean and free of litter throughout the three-hour event (which included a pre-game kickoff party) and stayed after the game concluded to help break down and clean the area.
Reinhard said the BID was able to agree to co-sponsor the event because they had no doubt SAMs were up to the task.
BID Director of Operations Everett Scruggs and Maintenance Services Manager Ron Jones echoed those sentiments and thanked SAMs for their efforts to keep the massive event running smoothly.
The end of June marked the start of the BID’s participation once again in D.C.’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which connects District youth ages 14-21 with D.C. employers. This is the 11th year the BID has served as a host employer. Interns attending the SAM of the Month meeting introduced themselves to the SAMs and staff and provided information about their backgrounds.
BID interns attending the SAM of the Month meeting were afforded a firsthand look at nearly the entire SAM staff and introduced to the important role they play in Downtown.
As part of an ongoing effort to educate the public and Downtown stakeholders about the unique duties SAMs carry out in DowntownDC, the BID communications department recently created an online video about SAMs and their evolution in Downtown. Ebony Walton, BID program and experience planner, showed the video to the SAMs at the National Building Museum so they could see their hard work come to life on the big screen.
As is customary, two SAMs were named at the July meeting as SAMs-of-the-Month for their outstanding service in June. The winners were Safety/Hospitality SAM Stephanie Haygan and Maintenance SAM Joe Cunningham. Award certificates were presented by the museum’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Brett Rodgers.
Stephanie Haygan has been employed as a SAM for three years and has quickly established herself as a model employee. This is her fourth time winning SAM of the Month, a title she most recently received in November 2014. But Haygan said the honorific remains very meaningful. “It feels terrific to be recognized,” she said. “I’d still continue to work as hard as I always do even if I didn’t [receive the award], but it’s always great when your company and employer recognize you.” Haygan said she enjoys interacting with people on the job and providing customer service, which is her background. She said she also appreciates the camaraderie she shares with her team members. Haygan is a D.C.-born District resident who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree full-time in criminal justice. Between work and studying, she said she has little time for a social life, but enjoys spending time with friends and visiting art museums.
Joe Cunningham has been employed as a SAM since 2001. He said he was originally attracted to the job because having spent the majority of his life living in D.C., he grew to love being in Downtown and wanted to spend more time there. Cunningham said the “people” are the best part of the job, “all kinds of people.” He enjoys being asked questions and being able to help Downtown visitors, residents and workers. Cunningham said his coworkers know him as someone who is “always trying to do something; always moving.” When not at work, Cunningham enjoys relaxing and watching television. His favorite things to watch? “Anything and everything.”