The Voice of Innkeeping Issue 2 Vol. 1 March 2016 | Page 27

Rick Wolf - Vice Chair

The B&B Team, Kennebunk, ME

AIHP stands for and exists to serve our Innkeeping community, but what is important to me?

“We are passionate about our work and work tirelessly within our own businesses and the association too.

AIHP is involved with advocacy, education and community/networking...and for the moment, I would like to focus on this last element...community and networking.

Having just returned as a speaker from the Bed and Breakfast Association of Arkansas' annual meeting, it is abundantly clear how important networking is to our individual and collective successes.

Innkeeping is a career choice made of passion, an entrepreneurial spirit and the love of giving. It is also often a lonely business, even with a full house, where we as Innkeepers, past-present-future (and Allied Partners too) need the support and giving that we give every day to our guests and clients.

But this just doesn't happen magically! It does happen when we are involved…on the local, state and national level. We see our peers, we learn and share from and with each other, we forge bonds and friendships that are lifelong. In short, we become better at what we do and enjoy the satisfaction of being together as the professionals we are.

So? Please get involved and join us in Nashville this April. You will leave more informed, enthused and comfortable knowing your family of Innkeepers and AP's is there for you!”

Heidi Lanford - Secretary

The Iris Inn, Waynesboro, VA “My vision is for AIHP to provide inclusive opportunities to innkeepers for thought-provoking conversations, learning and having fun!”

Dallas Renner Treasurer

Retired Innkeeper, Hilton Head Island, SC

“I love being involved with AIHP. Being an innkeeper is such a rewarding profession, but it isn’t easy! One needs to have a support system in place, and AIHP provides just that.

Having friends and making new ones in the profession to bounce ideas off of and share stories of what works and what doesn’t helps keep me at the forefront of what’s happening in the industry. I also use AIHP as a professional resource to learn more about new trends in travel and tourism.”

Nancy Malikie

Gibson Mansion, Missoula, MT

“My vision and goal as a board member is to assist the B&B industry in joining forces with ALL property sizes to be a collaborative voice in the lodging industry. This would enable us as an association to be a

conduit to listen and hear from all size properties and take that direction and action to the Lodging industry as a whole, something we could never do as individual properties.

As an Innkeeper of a 4 room property I see the need for an association that not only will be an advocate on my behalf to the larger industry, but just as important to be a reliable and knowledgeable resource. I see AIHP being that leader in our industry by keeping its members current on what travelers are seeking in a lodging experience, while also informing and educating us on how to best reach those travelers.”

The Voices of our

AIHP Board of Directors