To help evaluate the worth of association membership, we solicited comments from the people who should know best -- professional innkeepers. Most reported positive experiences; some said just the opposite.
One organization that received consistently positive reviews is the Professional Association of Innkeepers International. In the words of one innkeeper:
"When we first opened our inn, we were looking for a highly organized resource to go to for questions, answers, information and ideas. We definitely went to the right place. PAII is outstandingly professional, updates materials, sends out a marvelous newsletter, and because they're always seeking to become better themselves, they help us to be better too."
Many of the following comments are culled from a thread that appeared on the About.com Bed and Breakfasts Forum, while others were sent via email.
Rickie Hart of Marquee House in Salem, Oregon
I have 10-plus years in the B&B industry, starting in Southern California with an association with PAII. I've had my own inn for six years, and before that I was an innkeeper for the Shelbourne in Seaview, Washington. I'm active in the hospitality industry: Member of the Salem Area Lodging Association, Oregon Lodging Association, serve on the Board of Directors of the Salem Convention and Visitors Association, and am currently the President of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.
The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is just celebrating it's 10th anniversary. The original group has expanded to every geographic area, and we currently have 81 members. Our influence in the hospitality industry also continues to grow. One area we're particularly proud of is being a co-sponsor of the Pacific Northwest B&B Conference, being held this year in March, in Victoria, British Columbia.
Membership is open to Oregon inns which are appropriately licensed and which meet Guild standards for health, safety, and hospitality. The inn must pass a physical inspection upon initial application and be re-inspected at least every 2 years. Current OBBG dues are $125 plus $30 per room. There are also fees for application ($25) and initial inspection ($50).
We approach the inspection process in a very professional manner. Inspections are conducted, by appointment, by our Managing Director, under the guidance of our Membership Chairman. A Quality Assurance checklist is shared, in advance, and the M.D. and innkeeper walk through the list. Dialogue is important, especially on items concerning kitchen set-up and food preparation. Subjective items, such as inn decor, are handled on an inn-by-inn basis.
The biggest benefit to any B&B, beyond the professionalism, is the opportunity to have their marketing dollars go farther. Very few individual inns, if any, could produce and disribute a marketing piece comparable to the OBBG Destination Guide. The traveling public has access to all of our information through our 800 number (1-800-944-6196) and our Web site. We have a program in place where they may request information for specific geographic areas in Oregon, and, of course, the Destination Guide is free of charge. Utilizing our Guild members is a way they can be assured of a quality experience!
Bill Smollen of the 1902-08 Stained Glass Manor in Vicksburg, Mississippi
President, Bed and Breakfast Association of Mississippi
There are three big reasons to join an association: save expenses (in all forms), increase business, learn from each other. If our members don't recover their dues in two to three months, we haven't done our job!
Christy Collins of The Village Inn in Stone Mountain, Georgia
We are members of PAII and Georgia Hospitality and Travel.
Becoming members of PAII was the best thing we ever did! They have a wealth of information that applies to us; from marketing and guidebooks, to conventions, to their newsgroup (which I find very helpful!) Besides all of the advice they give, we are offered discounted long distance, discounted credit card processing, discounts with various vendors who are PAII members. This alone made joining worthwhile.
We haven't gotten much out of our membership to GHTA. They have a special bed and breakfast department, but I still haven't figured out exactly what they do for me. Yes, I get to be in their directory, but what else? We get the minutes from their general meetings and all you hear about are the big guys -- Holiday Inn, etc. We're going to keep our membership, though. Primarily because I don't feel that we know what they have to offer! (With PAII, you can't help but know what they have to offer. It should be simpler with GHTA.)
We are not members of our county's Chamber of Commerce. We could not justify the $400 annual fee for absolutely nothing. Even if you are a member you have to pay for every meeting and every piece of literature. Maybe not all chambers are like this, but DeKalb County sure is!
Glyn Dykins of Cartwright House in Oriental, North Carolina
We have been a member of a state association in North Carolina but, due to the size of the state, found participation very difficult. Traveling and running an inn were not compatible. The association, covering the whole state, was split up into three regions, mountain, central and coastal.
The main body of the Association officers were made up from the central and mountain regions and many of the coastal inns felt they were getting less representation and little benefit from their membership. The association's prime interest seemed to be more in promoting itself rather than the inns it represented.
We have now resigned from that particular association and plan to start one that will serve the coastal region. This new group will be associated with a tourism promotion group that will enable us to collectively advertise our presence to those primarily interested in visiting the coast.
NOTE: This article was originally posted in 1999.
