The Innkeeping Blog

That’s not a typo. It’s just a long acronym. It stands for “what have you done for me lately?” I suppose we’re not always best at tooting our own horn, but we have some fantastic things going on I want to share with everyone – a few things we’ve already announced and others that will be news to members. As I travel to state association meetings throughout the country, I’m often asked by non-members (including many former members) about what PAII is like today and what we are doing. Similarly, when we talk to busy members about renewing their membership, we find many have been too busy to really pay attention to what’s happening. You pay dues to PAII – so you should know what’s happening. Here’s a short list of what’s happening now. There’s a lot more in the on-deck circle, so stay tuned for more!

Prescription Drug Program
Soon PAII members will be receiving in the mail a letter and two cards that give you access to discount prices on prescription drugs at nearly all major pharmacies. We know being self-employed doesn’t always afford you the best health coverage, including many times weak or no pharmacy coverage. With this card, you and your family can enjoy attractive savings. If you don’t want to wait for the direct mail piece, simply go to http://www.sunrxdiscount.com/paii to print your own card now. At this web site you can go ahead and check the prices you’ll pay for your prescriptions – both over-the-counter and mail order. This is not an insurance program, but rather a nationwide discount program. If you have good prescription coverage, this program might not benefit you – but do yourself a favor and check it out! I’ve been using the card myself, and have enjoyed the savings.

IQ Circulation

Beginning this January, Innkeeping Quarterly magazine will be circulated to all innkeepers throughout the United States, not just PAII members. To date we’ve been sending this leading trade publication to members every quarter, as well as a different group of 3,000 non-member innkeepers. The advertisers want the greater reach, and we believe the entire industry should be reading the timely content in this publication. We’re looking for a few good writers! If you have significant writing experience and want to contribute to the industry’s only trade magazine, please email Ingrid Thorson at ingrid@paii.org

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Associations Now is the magazine published by the American Society of Association Executives (yes…the association for associations), and covers all the latest trends and progressive thinking in association management and leadership. I was flipping through my July issue (ignore the scary cover photo), and did a double-take when I came to page 19. The magazine is featuring three blogs written by association CEOs, and one of the three is this very blog! I had no idea this was going to be in the magazine, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to all our loyal fans, readers and commentators out there (you are out there, right?) for following this blog. I’m soon going to be upgrading my BlackBerry to one that has a camera in it. I’ve come across so many opportunities recently to take photos of good and bad things that I want to blog about. Stay tuned!
Jay

As most of you know, the advent of the online guest review has made a big impact on our industry. Some days, as our board chairman says in today’s press release, it feels like the “Wild West.” Innkeepers are fearful of the impact of negative reviews, and at the same time enjoy the glow of positive reviews. Many inns, which had been heretofore hidden gems, might now be discovered on account of online guest reviews.

Our industry has been accused of being a place where fraudulent review-posting is more likely to happen than in the hotel market. PAII’s own keynote speaker at our conference suggested innkeepers leave positive reviews of their own properties, which was a shock to us as well. Innkeepers complain to us about how TripAdvisor ignores the needs of our industry. There are features and policies within the review sites that may or may not meet the needs of innkeepers, our guests and the industry at-large.

In the midst of what sometimes feels like chaos, the PAII Board of Directors felt it necessary to offer a public statement on the ethics and use of online reviews. I believe the press release and position statement explain how we are feeling, as well as provide some guidance on the matter. You should look to PAII as a both resource and voice for innkeepers. In that light, I encourage you to give us your opinions, stories, grievances, at-a-boys, etc. We want to hear from you, so that we can continue to be a valuable resource, as well as carry your message to those that have a big impact on our industry. Leave your comments on this blog, or the PAII Member Forum. The press release and statement are below.

Thank you for allowing us to serve and lead,

Jay

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In my seven short months on board as your CEO, I’ve come to learn a great deal about the challenging, yet often times rewarding, profession and life of innkeeping. I am approached by members and industry leaders in all corners of the continent about what PAII should be doing. It is important for you to know what we have decided to focus on in the coming months and years. One of the most important achievements our board and staff have accomplished recently is the adoption of a clear vision for PAII. In my column in the recent Winter edition of Innkeeping Quarterly (IQ), I share PAII’s new “Vision Statement.” It is a firm belief of mine to have in front of us and wear on our sleeves a vision of the organization we will always strive to be for our members and the industry. You can read the statement here. This statement is an over-arching philosophy for the organization. We also needed a clear set of priorities and objectives for the coming months and years. The PAII Board of Directors, along with the PAII Advisory Council and other at-large members, helped to shape the most relevant priorities of the organization. These priorities, which we consider our organizational goals, are listed below. All of the work of the staff and board are shaped and motivated by these priorities.

I hope you agree with what we have chosen to focus and spend association time and resources on. We recognize that we cannot be all things to all people, and at the same time be successful. A successful association is helping its members be more successful. In order for PAII to thrive, we must have the support and involvement of our members. To maximize your investment in PAII, we urge you to participate in PAII surveys, read PAII communications, go to PAII meetings, support PAII vendor members, participate in the PAII forum, buy books and research published by PAII, and continue to support PAII through your membership. With your help, we can accomplish the goals below.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments at jay@paii.org.

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