Kurt Campbell
Guild of Professional English Butlers, Senior Butler for MGM Resorts International
About Kurt Campbell
The Accidental Butler…
It was my great grandmother from England, who first shed light on the lifetime responsibility to always be of service to one another. The craft of Butler has been meaningful, because of its broad scope and the variety of responsibilities, which maximizes service and impact.
What began with a simple role in hospitality, along with a desire to excel and learn, quickly evolved into a 35+ year commitment to the art of service. Having always been passionate about wine, cuisine, music, art, travel and culture, I discovered that service could also be an art form in and of itself, and was a natural, if not a perfect, fit for me. Working on the Las Vegas Strip for nearly four decades is a journey I feel fortunate to have taken.
Even though I’ve traveled a lot, the best thing about working in an international destination is that the world came to me. Las Vegas has long been associated with Hollywood, which captivated me. I have seen firsthand how the city’s “Hollywood Connection” has contributed to its notoriety. For decades, it has attracted the wealthy, the famous, and the jet-set individuals from all over the world. I learned a great deal about my guest’s cultures, traditions, cuisines, and numerous international service techniques, for which I am grateful.
In recent years, Butlers are organizing with Culinary Union 226 (labor Union), because in numbers we can collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions. I was a Culinary Union member for 35 years and was glad to see our craft recognized in that way. Hotel Butler departments have become increasingly valuable. They are a small group of service professionals taking care of an even smaller group of clients with high expectations.
Essentially, the ability to deliver outstanding service and to cultivate enduring relationships with clients is, in part, what satisfied me as a Hotel Butler. It has been an exceptional chance to positively influence people’s lives by being of service to others. That, in my opinion, is where true fulfillment in life (personal or professional) can be found.
My great grandmother was absolutely right.
