The PAII conference in Austin, Texas was exciting; packed with great information, from tech stuff galore to the daily tasks that allow for more professionalism in our trade. Vendors displayed their wares, the newest trends, the best amenities, plenty of pertinent information that should not have been missed! Did you miss it? I am sorry! What you also missed was that Bill and I received the first annual “Award of Merit” an award for our long service to this industry!  I was so touched that it was hard for me to grasp its meaning. Thank you to the PAII board, thank you Jay and Michele and to all of you, who shared our special moment.

Well yes, we have been coming to these meetings for a long time…especially Bill, from the days of Mary Davies, even before Pat and JoAnn…before we were grown ups in this industry!  So many Innkeepers that I met then, are retired today, and many vendors have faded into oblivion. Norman Simpson a haloed ghost to many of you today, came to speak at one of our ”How to” seminars at The New England Inn, in Conway N.H. and Elizabeth Squires came to the Tamworth Inn in N.H. These writers’ books were crucial to where we are today.

It was PAII under Pat and JoAnn’s leadership that gathered the many pieces, that built this industry, that promoted you, protected your Inn from regulations designed for hotels, and protected historic buildings from useless restrictions. It was PAII that made Innkeeping professional as it is today, that makes our industry viable! Jay continues these toils today, to advocate for the best information and uphold our place in the hospitality continuum.  But you know, I am so grateful to all of you, thankful to have worked with so many of you,  to witness your strivings to do your best, provide the best service, use the best linens, serve regional foods, be ambassadors to your area, and love what you do. I am so grateful to be part of this industry that adds value and that values our individual efforts. Thank you, thank you for honoring that I (we) have been a part of such a great group of people! Thank you to Jay, our fearless leader, who will further lead us up the road and to Michele and all the staff. To Linda our right hand, brain, memory bank and to all the Innkeepers present or not, we thank you for respecting what we enjoy doing! And Bill, I agree that getting this Award “in the middle of our Career” is pretty awesome!

My love to all, Heide