Several Receive Industry Awards at the 2010 Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show

Haddon Heights, NJ (PAII) March 31, 2010 – At the 2010 Innkeeping Conference and Trade Show, hosted by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) in Austin, Texas earlier this month, PAII handed out awards for exceptional service to PAII and the innkeeping industry.

Bill Oates and Heide Bredfeldt of Inn Consulting Partners received the 2010 Award of Merit, a new industry award, for their long-term and significant contributions to the industry and business of innkeeping. Bill and Heide have served the industry for nearly 30 years and played a significant role in enabling the B&B/Country Inn segment to grow through their own conferences, seminars and individual consulting opportunities. Their knowledge of the innkeeping business is tempered by a real understanding of the human component and business reality. "We were thrilled but humbled to receive the first Award of Merit for service to the innkeeping community. What makes the honor especially appreciated is that it comes from PAII. We plan to continue with you in service to inns and B&Bs.”

The 2010 Hardy-Bell Award was given to Betty Gladden, Alameda, California for her significant and long-lasting contributions to PAII. Betty has served the organization for many years as a member of the board of directors, a conference volunteer and conference speaker. Betty served as an example of a professional innkeeper and exemplified the value of belonging to your professional association. Betty said, "to be honored for something I've always taken for granted was a surprise and very flattering. I might add, being a 1st generation innkeeper, growing the industry by investing time and money in my state and national association was as important as growing my own inn.”

This year, PAII introduced the Champion Award and presented the award to three individuals or entities which have succeeded in working on behalf of a group of innkeepers and have garnered through a significant victory for innkeepers. People from all over the country in the lodging and travel industry were asked to submit nominations for the 2010 Champion Award based on their knowledge of local champions.

Chris and Andrea Greene, innkeepers at The Ruby of Crested Butte, Colorado were awarded the 2010 Champion Award for their success as small business champions. Their commitment to guest service excellence and professionalism is extraordinary, but the Greene's also work to support, preserve, and promote the B&B's and other boutique lodging options in the area. They have also been the driving force behind creating two new organizations dedicated to lodging and bed and breakfasts in Crested Butte. Chris and Andrea have created a unique partnership of the smaller properties to create not only a larger lodging option for groups such as weddings, but also to create a larger voice for the smallest of B&B's. On why they worked so hard for B&Bs in Crested Butte, the Greene's stated, "Unlike the larger hotels in our area that most people look to, through our personal attention to our guest, we are able to connect to each guest and provide an authentic experience which is why we have worked so hard to enlighten both the community and our visitors regarding the importance of the B&B industry.”

The second Champion Award was given to Jeff DiGregorio for creating a significant victory for innkeepers in Arizona. Jeff is the President of the Arizona Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns and co-owner Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast Inn. As president of the AABBI, Jeff has raised the public status and visibility of innkeepers from hobbyists to true professionals. Jeff lobbied the legislature in Arizona for a property tax fairness, which resulted in a reduction of 35 to 50 percent for B&Bs of six rooms or fewer. He has also worked to break the divide between the hotel, motel, resort community and B&Bs by forming a strategic marketing and legislative alliance between AABBI and the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association. In response to winning the award, Jeff said, "Whether for full-time income or as a part-time hobby, innkeepers are professionals. We run serious businesses with the same interests of prosperity, fairness and opportunity expected by any other businessperson. I am incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized in this way."

The third Champion Award was given to Ashland's Bed and Breakfast Network in Ashland, Oregon for their work to apply for and receive over $20,000 in grants from state and local government. The funds have been used to revamp the organization's website to ensure the most current social networking and mapping are being used for potential guests, while also establishing educational forums for members and allowing innkeepers to participate with the Southern Oregon Visitors Association in several travel shows.

For additional information on news from PAII, contact Ingrid Thorson (ingrid@paii.org) or visit www.innkeeping.org.

About PAII:

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International, founded in 1988, is the innkeeping industry's largest trade association. PAII is committed to fostering a knowledgeable, caring and conscientious community of professional innkeepers, networking with each other throughout the world. PAII provides education, communications, public relations, advocacy, networking, and research services to its membership and the greater industry. PAII hosts the world's largest annual gathering of innkeepers, The Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show, and publishes the industry's leading trade publication, Innkeeping Quarterly (IQ), which reaches over 16,000 innkeepers.