Dec 2014 Newsletter

INNterviews
MAINE INNKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
Representing Maine’s Bed & Breakfasts, Camps, Cottages, Hotels, Inns, Motels & Resorts
Volume 593
December 2014
93RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
HELD AT POINT LOOKOUT RESORT
The 93rd Annual Maine Innkeepers
Association (MEIA) Meeting and Conference
was held November 5 and 6 at the Point Lookout
Resort & Conference Center in Northport. The
event was in the top three of modern times in
attendance (1989 and 2005 were the only better
ones) and the natural beauty and wonderful
views from the top of Ducktrap Mountain
were a perfect backdrop for the conference.
An early season blizzard did nothing to deter
attendance! The conference officially kicked off
with a legislative report by Greg Dugal and Pam
Cahill, from our legislative advocacy company,
speaking about the outcomes of the elections
held the day before and an update on the
collaboration between our Association and the
Maine Restaurant Association. The cost for our
two day conference remained less than $200 for
the SEVENTH year in a row!
The legislative report was followed by
our annual best practices session with our
very own Chair, Jeanne Carpentier from
Emerald Hospitality. This was followed by a
presentation by Dorothy Havey of the Belfast
Area Chamber of Commerce and Staci Coomer
of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of
Commerce talking about new developments
on the Belfast waterfront and in locations
within Knox County and also detailing the
collaborative efforts undertaken by the two
chambers along with other members of the
MidCoast Chamber Council to promote the
MidCoast region. Our final seminar featured
Shannon Kinney from Allied Member, Dream
Local Digital. Shannon spoke about Social
Media and Online Marketing for Hospitality
Professionals. Attendees were then invited to a
wine tasting, which was graciously sponsored
by Bettina Doulton and the staff at Cellardoor
Winery. Bettina brought two whites, two reds
and a dessert wine to taste and had over 75
people in the room enjoying her wines. In the
evening, guests were treated to hors d’ouevres
and cocktails with our Allied Members on the
veranda followed by a delicious Asian Fusion
dinner buffet prepared by Point Lookout
Resort chefs. After dinner, we were entertained
by North of Nashville. The duo consists of Jay
continued on page 3
THE MAINE INNKEEPERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES ITS
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA)
is pleased to announce that Jeanne Carpentier
has been re-elected Chair by the MEIA Board
of Directors for her second term in 2015 and
that Jim Ostrowski of the Inns at Blackberry
Common in Camden will serve as past chair.
Jeanne Carpentier is also the President of the
93rd Anniversary.............................................. 1
2015 Officers & Executive Committee................. 1
Hotel Jobs Offer High Wages.............................. 2
Awards...........................................................4-5
Understanding PCI-DSS...................................6-7
Silent Auction Contributors..............................8-9
Members In The News...................................... 10
Northeast Ocean Plan...................................... 11
INNterviews
Maine Innkeepers Association Education
Foundation and Jim Ostrowski has served on
the MEIA Board since 2003.
One new addition to the Executive
Committee is Chip Gray from the Harraseeket
Inn in Freeport. Chip also serves on the Board
of the Maine Tourism Association and Freeport
USA. Other changes include elimination of
the American Hotel & Lodging Association
(AH&LA) Representative position due to
restructuring of the AH&LA. Sue Ferrell from
Down East Village in Yarmouth steps down
after many years as Treasurer of MEIA and Bob
Smith from Sebasco Harbor Resort, former
AH&LA representative, takes her place. Peter
Daigle succeeds Gus Tillman as Senior Advisor.
Tillman passed away in October after many
years as Senior Advisor and many more years
as a Board Member. Scott Cowger takes over
for Peter Daigle as Legislative Chair. Cowger
is well suited for this position as he served in
both the Maine House and Senate.
2015 Executive Committee
Past Chair – Jim Ostrowski, Inns at Blackberry
Common, Camden
Chair – Jeanne Carpentier, Emerald
Hospitality, Freeport
First Vice Chair – Jean Ginn Marvin,
Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport
Second Vice Chair – Jamey Kitchen, Hampton
Inn & Suites, Thomaston
Treasurer – Bob Smith, Sebasco Harbor Resort,
Sebasco Estates
At-Large Member – Alvion Kimball, Orland
House B&B, Orland
At-Large Member – Chip Gray, Harraseeket
Inn, Freeport
At-Large Member – James Harmon, Moontide
Motel & Cottages, Old Orchard Beach
Senior Advisor – Peter Daigle, Lafayette Hotels,
Bangor
Legislative Chair- Scott Cowger, Maple Hill
Farm B&B Inn, Hallowell
1
HOTEL JOBS OFFER HIGH-WAGES,
BENEFITS, CAREER ADVANCEMENT,
INDUSTRY SURVEY SHOWS
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and WageWatch, Inc., today released
a survey that shows the hotel industry offers good, high-paying jobs with benefits and a fast track
to senior positions within the hospitality sector.
The survey findings come as the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment report for August–
released this morning – is expected to show sustained job growth in seasonally adjusted
Accommodations segment of the Leisure and Hospitality sector. Labor data has seen month
after month of growth, recovering from pre-recession highs, and is at its highest level since 2008.
The survey, released by AH&LA and WageWatch, shows that overwhelmingly, most job titles in
the lodging industry pay above minimum wage. More than half of respondents have starting rates
above the minimum wage for eight out of 10 job titles surveyed. These hourly-positions offer a
fast-track to upward mobility and serve as a gateway for new workers to enter the lodging industry.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SURVEY INCLUDE:
Nearly 40% of respondents pay 100% of their workforce above the minimum wage.
Almost half (45.1%) pay 75% or more of their employees above the minimum wage.
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85.8% of the respondents provide medical insurance benefits to non-exempt workers. Nearly 62%
who offer employee healthcare benefits, subsidize basic individual plan premiums at 60% or greater.
80% of minimum wage workers are eligible for promotion in less than a year and 100% are
eligible in less than 2 years.
“The hotel sector is clearly the bright spot in our nation’s economy and this survey underscores
what we have known all along: Hotel jobs are good jobs, with high wages, benefits and the
opportunity to advance quickly into a life-long career,” said Katherine Lugar, President and CEO
of AH&LA.
“Hotel employees are the backbone of our industry. That’s why it’s especially troubling that
in cities like Los Angeles, small business hotel owners are being singled out by union-backed
extreme wage initiatives that will hurt those seeking to get on the ladder of opportunity.”
Randy Pullen, President and CEO of WageWatch, Inc., said, “The Survey findings show
that the hotel industry is a leader in job creation, advancement opportunities and high wages.
Current efforts to significantly increase entry level wages could be disruptive and have negative
and unintended consequences for the entire hotel wage scale. The pervasiveness of local, extreme
wage increases will impact the entire wage structure of a business, which will undoubtedly slow
or stifle further job creation in a local market.”
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2
(Continued from 1)
Basiner and Andrew Martelle and North of
Nashville provided incredible entertainment.
They were sort of a cross between Waylon
Jennings and Mumford & Sons.
Thursday kicked off with a breakfast buffet
at the top of Ducktrap Mountain at Point
Lookout’s premier conference space. The
Summit is a mountaintop executive retreat,
commanding one of the most spectacular
panoramic views in the entire state. Our opening
seminar was also at the Summit featuring Judy
Z. King. King presented “Simply Service” which
detailed how to secure and retain guest loyalty.
Judy is the founder and principal of Quality
Management Services and her seminar was very
well received. Breakouts followed to include
Judy King again presenting “Interviewing to
Get the Right People” and Ebb Walton from
Nancy Marshall Communications instructing
attendees on marketing funnels. Lunch featured
keynote speaker Mark Woodworth, President
of PKF Hospitality Research, LLC. Mark’s
presentation included a Lodging Market
Update. Woodworth spoke about projections
for 2015, both for Maine and the United States,
effects of the national economy on the lodging
industry and an update on supply of new
overnight rooms.
After lunch, attendees were invited to visit
with exhibitors in the veranda exhibit area.
As has become an annual tradition, there was
a raffle in the exhibit area and a punch card,
which allowed conference attendees to win two
great prizes if their totally completed card was
selected. The grand raffle prizes for the Thursday
afternoon event were two Rokus. The afternoon
breakout sessions included Using Search Data to
Capture Leads and Make Sales and Reputation
Manager Software Explained presented by Tracy
O’Clair from Constant Contact, a Remodeling
Seminar for Inns hosted by Phil Kronenthal
from the Black Point Inn and Lynn Pepin from
Gawron Turgeon Architects and a presentation
by Anne-Marie Storey of Rudman-Winchell in
Bangor on various leave laws. The afternoon
breakout sessions also included a cracker barrel
for Allied Members of the Association. Thursday
evening featured the Awards Dinner, which as
always honors those members who have given
their all for the industry. This year’s Awards
Dinner was held in the Islesboro Ballroom.
After an amazing dinner of either New York
Sirloin, Statler Breast of Chicken or Crispy Fried
Gnocchi, we began the Awards ceremony with a
new tribute. Peter Daigle said a few words about
our Senior Advisor, Gus Tillman, who passed
away in August. Daigle also announced that
the Maine Innkeepers Association Hall of Fame
Award would be forever named after Tillman, a
well-deserved honor for a man who contributed
so much to the industry and association. This
year’s award winners were given their due to
include David Dudley, Gus Tillman Hall of
Fame Award, Marian Burns, Mira Monte Inn,
Gus Tillman Hall of Fame Award, Leeanne
Hewey, Vacationland Inn, Special Service Award;
Tony Payne, Clark Insurance, Allied Member of
the Year and Representative Richard Malaby,
Crocker House Country Inn, Community
Service Award. The evening’s coveted award,
Innkeeper of the Year was presented to Alvion
Kimball of the Orland House B&B in Orland.
For more information on these individuals and
their awards, please read further into this edition
of Innterviews. After dinner, BMI provided the
music of the legendary John Ford Coley for all
of us to enjoy and he was amazing!
Friday morning consisted of a meeting
of the newly elected Board of Directors.
The group elected their officers and these
individuals are noted later in this edition of
Innterviews. We would like to thank our many
sponsors of the event- Annual Conference
Sponsor, Sysco Foodservice of Northern
New England, American Hotel & Lodging
Association, Atlantic Pest Solutions, BMI,
the Boston Globe, Clark Insurance, Cross
Employee Benefits, CTM Media, Daigle
Commercial Properties, John McCarthy of
Legacy Properties- Sotheby International
Realty, Maine Tourism Association, Migis
Hotel Group, Pine State Beverage, Point
Lookout Resort and Conference Center,
Nelson & Small and Time Warner Cable.
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INNterviews
3
GUS TILLMAN HALL OF FAME AWARD
DAVID DUDLEY – OCEAN POINT INN
This award is presented to a retired tourism professional who, over a period of ten years
or more, contributed though personal involvement and interest to the betterment of the
Association and the lodging/hospitality/tourism industry in the State of Maine.
The inscription on the award read: “David has been an incredibly valuable member of
the Board for many years. David served in a leadership capacity as President in 1988 and
was recognized as Innkeeper of the Year in 2001. David testified at the Legislature on many
occasions and could be counted on to assist in achieving the Association’s legislative goals.”
David has been a part of the lodging industry for many years and has given back to the
industry that he loves by serving on the Maine Innkeepers Association Board of Directors
for approximately 30 years. David served on the Executive Committee and ultimately
became the volunteer leader of the Association as President in 1988. David was honored Laura Honey, David Dudley, Greg Dugal
as Innkeeper of the year back in 2001.
David and Beth and his partners have owned and operated the Ocean Point Inn since 1985 when Warren and Mattie Barnes sold the inn to
them. The inn has operated as a lodging property since the turn of the last century and celebrated its 116th birthday in 2014. David and his
partners were long time employees of the Barnes’ and seemed to be the perfect fit to take the inn to the next level.
GUS TILLMAN HALL OF FAME AWARD
MARIAN BURNS – MIRA MONTE INN & SUITES
This award is presented to a retired tourism professional who, over a period of ten years
or more, contributed though personal involvement and interest to the betterment of the
Association and the lodging/hospitality/tourism industry in the State of Maine.
The inscription on the award read: “Marian has been an integral part of our leadership
team for many years. Marian was honored with Innkeeper of the Year in 1994 and served as
President of the Association in 1998. Marian received the Association’s Community Service
Award for her work with Hospitality for Habitat, which has raised over $100,000.”
Marian opened the second Bed and Breakfast in Bar Harbor in a “Summer Cottage” that
was going to be converted into a funeral home. With the help of her friend, the other B&B
owner at the time, Marian learned to become an innkeeper. 34 years later Marian still greets
her guests with a smile and story and is one of the most revered innkeepers in Bar Harbor.
Marian also received the “Townsperson of the Year” award from the Bar Harbor Chamber Marian Burns, Alvion Kimball
of Commerce.
In recent years, Marian and her friend Katherine Barr, decided that the Maine Innkeepers Association should embark on a charitable endeavor
with the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. With that thought, Hospitality for Habitat was born and eleven years later it continues to bring
in a larger sum of money year over year for local Maine chapters of Habitat for Humanity. This program has raised over $120,000 over its eleven
year run and it continues to grow in strength year after year. It is truly a testament to the generous heart that beats in this woman and the great
mind she used to benefit this association for many years
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
TONY PAYNE – CLARK INSURANCE
This award is presented annually to an allied member of MEIA that is active in the hospitality
industry and has made a significant contribution to it on behalf of the supplier community.
The inscription on the award read: “Tony and the staff at Clark Insurance truly understand
the hospitality industry. They are always there for us with answers to member and staff
questions and are true supporters of the Maine Innkeepers Association and its events.”
The relationship with Clark and the Maine Innkeepers Association goes back for years. Clark
Insurance was founded in 1931, and has been providing helpful insights and outstanding
service to each of its personal and business customers in Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond
ever since. By focusing on their customers, this employee-owned agency has been recognized
as one of the top 5% of agencies of their size in the country for financial performance
When Tony Payne came on board with Clark, he was no stranger to the board or the
Association having served as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Maine’s Future. Tony Bob Smith, Tony Payne
is a graduate of Hobart College and is responsible for the agency’s business networking and communications planning. He is the vice chair of the
University of Southern Maine Board of Visitors, a former town councilor in Falmouth and is active in numerous civic and non-profit organizations.
Last year Clark Insurance purchased Turner Barker Insurance, who had always been our primary go to for property and casualty insurance,
as well as, workers compensation insurance for both the association and its members. Turner Barker had always been very supportive of our
association in the persons of Doug Allen and Joan Hopkins so it is a fitting award for both companies.
Maine Innkeepers Association 4
SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD
LEEANNE HEWEY – VACATIONLAND INN
This award is presented annually to a person who has actively contributed to
the hospitality industry as a whole.
The inscription on the award read: “Leeanne requested that her state
legislator introduce a bill that would exempt innkeepers from being landlords.
Not only did she introduce the bill, but it sailed through committee and the
Legislature with Leeanne’s and her employers’ compelling testimony.”
Leeanne is the General Manager of the inn owned by Cheryl and Ross
Bradford. She started out doing marketing for the inn and that talent landed
the inn in an episode of Hotel Impossible. Leeanne’s career in marketing has
also been rewarded with a national award from the Cable Advertising Bureau
in 2006. Leeanne also serves her community by assisting with underwriting
and development for the Lighthouse Radio Network, a Maine faith based
radio company.
Leeanne’s affiliation with the Maine Innkeepers Association is her service on
the Annual Meeting and Conference Committee. She also requested that her The Bradfords, The Heweys, Peter Daigle
representative to the Maine House, Arthur Verow introduce a bill to exclude
licensed innkeepers from landlord-tenant provisions of Maine State Statute. The bill sailed through committee was successfully passed by both the
House and Senate and signed by the Governor. This has been and will continue to be a tremendous help to inns, hotels and motels with long term
guests that run afoul of innkeepers rules and laws.
INNKEEPER OF THE YEAR
ALVION KIMBALL – ORLAND HOUSE B&B
This prestigious award, presented annually to an active Innkeeper who
has significantly contributed to the development of the Maine Innkeepers
Association, was presented to Alvion Kimball by Connie Russell of the Samoset
Resort.
The inscription on the award read: “To an Innkeeper who has been
instrumental in growing the tourism industry in Maine, specifically in his
beloved Downeast Acadia region. Alvion is blessed with a quiet leadership style
that has served him well. He has been a true leader in our Association.”
Alvion’s greatest strength is his community mindedness. On the home front,
Alvion is very involved. He is the founder of Lights of Orland, trustee at the
Orland Methodist Church, Board Member of the Bucksport Bay Chamber
of Commerce and Past President of the Bucksport Garden Club. Alvion is an
Eagle Scout and was the recipient of the Hans Honders Community Volunteer
of the Year Award, as well as, being named the Bucksport Chamber Business
of the Year.
Connie Russell, Alvion and Cindy Kimball
Kimball has also served his community and his industry at the Regional and
State level by participating as a member on the Downeast Acadia Region Tourism (DART) Board for many years and has most recently served as
its liaison to the Regional Assistance Committee (RAC) that oversees the regional grant monies. Alvion also served on the Maine State Tourism
Commission and has served on the Maine Innkeepers Association Board since 2007 and on the Executive Committee since 2010.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD MALABY – CROCKER HOUSE COUNTRY INN
This award is presented annually to lodging operators who have taken part in community activities, and who have made a contribution
personally, or in the name of the industry or property, to the community.
The inscription on the award read: “Richard has given so much to his community and his beloved State of Maine. His passion as a legislator gives
the lodging and hospitality industry a reasoned voice that it has seldom had in the Maine House of Representatives. Richard has been gracious to
introduce several bills on behalf of the Association with great success.”
Richard was honored for many great achievements to include being the founder of the Chef ’s Celebrity Gala in 1993 to benefit the Breast Clinic
at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital now in its 21st year and having raised over $700,000. Rich was also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, chair of the Hancock School Board, 2009 Hancock Citizen of the Year and 2014 national winner of the Senator
John Heinz Memorial Award presented by the National Adult Day Services Association for outstanding legislative contribution to further the
cause of adult day services and the elderly.
Malaby was also elected in 2010 to serve the citizens of District 34 in the Maine House of Representative and has a seat on the very influential
Health and Human Services Committee. Rich was recently re-elected to that seat and was unable to attend the awards ceremony.
INNterviews
5
UNDERSTANDING PCI-DSS
What’s frequently referred to as “PCI” is
known fully as the Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and was
created in an effort to keep consumer credit
card data out of the hands of hackers and
fraudsters. It’s a set of requirements designed
to ensure that all companies that process or
transmit credit card data keep their customers’
card information safe and secure.
Penalties for violating PCI standards can be
hefty. If the card brands identify that a breach
has occurred at the point of sale of a particular
business, the fines can reach up to $250,000
per violation. The fines may be hefty, but
the true cost is in the lost business to your
restaurant after a breach occurs.
If your restaurant accepts payment cards,
you’re required to be compliant with PCI DSS.
Becoming PCI DSS compliant should not be
thought of as a destination, but a journey.
The fact is that data theft becomes more
sophisticated by the day. Simply put, PCI is
all about keeping your customers’ sensitive
cardholder data safe and secure.
PCI DSS was developed—and is maintained
and managed by—the PCI Security Standards
Council (PCI SSC). The PCI SSC was founded
by the major credit card companies: American
Express, Discover Financial Services, Japan
Credit Bureau International, MasterCard, and
Visa Inc. PCI compliance isn’t enforced by the
federal government, but a few states do have
similar rules or provisions on the books. It’s
actually a global standard as well. Heartland
Payment Systems, which is endorsed by the
Maine Innkeepers Association, is a member of
the PCI Security Standards Council.
Respective to the amount of transactions
a merchant processes there are different
Control Objectives
Build and Maintain a Secure Network
Protect Cardholder Data
Maintain a Vulnerability Management
Program
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
levels of enforcement. However, the twelve
requirements are the same:
It’s important to have serious security
measures in place all along the way, and
we know how much of a pain in the neck
meeting these requirements can be. You got
into the restaurant industry to serve food, not
keep up with perpetually-evolving rules and
regulations.
If you are using a POS system, take the
following action steps today to help protect
yourself from the consequences of a security
breach:
Be sure that the required network security
firewalls are in place between your POS system
and the internet.
Ensure any ports used for remote access are
not left open and in listening mode.
PCI DSS Requirements
Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect stored cardholder data
Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open,
public networks
Use and regularly update anti-virus software on all
systems commonly affected by malware
Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Restrict access to cardholder data by business needto-know
Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
Track and monitor all access to network resources
and cardholder data
Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security Policy
Maintain a policy that addresses information security
Maine Innkeepers Association 6
Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for
system passwords. Passwords should be unique
for all users of computers and POS systems
and complex in the use of letters and numbers.
Review your internal procedures, protect
written copies and do not store confidential
customer data on computers or where
accessible by unauthorized employees.
Ensure the entire system is PCI DSS
compliant, not just the software.
Be sure appropriate antivirus programs are
in place and active. If not secure, determine
what you must do to make the system
compliant and do it or abandon the POS
system for credit card processing and go back
to a standard, dial-up swipe machine. Dialup swipe machines are not at risk for internet
security breaches.
To reduce payment card fraud risk, contract
with a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) to
validate your compliance to the PCI DSS.
This includes completing the Self-Assessment
Questionnaire, to address business and system
processes around data security, and quarterly
network vulnerability scans. Contact your
credit card processor to discuss validation
programs or visit the PCI Security Standards
Council’s website for a list of QSAs at www.
pcisecuritystandards.org.
Contact your credit card processor regarding
PCI DSS compliance and ask them to confirm,
in writing, that they are encrypting all data
during transmission and purging records daily.
If you are notified by a bank or by the
United States Secret Service that a security
breach is believed to have occurred at your
restaurant, take the following steps, which
Maine Innkeepers Association are best practices in the industry and may be
required by law.
Notify your Attorney General’s Office
Notify your Point Of Sale vendor.
Notify your credit card processor and ask
for a temporary, dial up standalone terminal,
to be delivered ASAP so you may continue to
process cards.
When cleared to do so by the Secret Service,
issue a press release in your local paper
notifying your customers that a breach has
occurred at the restaurant and that their credit
card information may have been compromised
and that they should carefully monitor their
bills for fraudulent charges.
Cyber criminals are looking towards “high
tech” methods of theft and restaurateurs must
be “on guard” more than ever in this world of
ever evolving technology.
7
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500.1005.14 Maine InnKeeper.indd 1
3/12/14 6:28 PM
THANKS TO
SILENT AUCTION
CONTRIBUTORS
The Maine Innkeepers Association would
like to thank all of the contributors to our
Silent Auction. The Silent Auction is held each
year at the Annual Meeting and Conference
and benefits the Maine Innkeepers Association
Education Foundation and other ongoing
programs at the Association, as well. This
year’s auction raised close to $4,100 and we
are grateful for the generosity of our members,
non-members and Camden, Lincolnville,
Northport and Belfast area merchants, where
this year’s event was held. Thanks again!
(Members are listed in bold)
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Maine Innkeepers Association Embassy Suites - Portland
Fireside Inn
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Fishermans Wharf Inn
Glidden Point Oyster Farm
Grand Harbor Inn
Hampton Inn Freeport
Hampton Inn, Presque Isle
(Continued on next page)
8
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
“I feel like I own the place, it feels like home
here,” said Hal Nelson on his 100th visit to the
Captain Lord Mansion. “I come here to relax and
rejuvenate.”
Hal and Kathi Nelson, of Beverly Mass., first
came to the Captain Lord Mansion in June of
1983. They have now been married 40 years,
and this is their special place. “There’s something
so special about the Captain Lord Mansion, you
immediately feel uplifted when you enter, and you
truly relax because it feels like home. The Inn is
not overly done up, every room is authentic, real
and everyone here is genuinely special,” said Kathi
Nelson.
“The bond begins over breakfast,” said Hal,
“Over conservations at the breakfast table, with
delicious food, we have made many friends from
all over.” In fact, the Nelsons recently attended a
wedding in Maine for the daughter of fellow inn
guests they have become close friends with.
Kathi said, “We have been to many BnBs. Other
inns just aren’t the same. Some are very lavish, you
feel like you can’t touch anything. Rick and Bev go
out of their way to make you feel comfortable and
welcome. It’s not pretentious.” The Nelsons have
stayed in every room but two, Kathi’s favorite room
currently is Callender, previously Dana. “When we
first came here 30 years ago, there were no locks,
no clocks, no TV or phone, now every room is
spectacular and the baths are so luxurious.”
Rick Litchfield, Innkeeper with his wife Bev
Davis for 36 years, said “Hal and Kathi are like
family and friends to us and our Mansion staff.
They consider our two daughters Dana and Stacia
as surrogate nieces, they watched them grow
up here at the Inn, Hal and Kathi attended our
daughter’s wedding.”
The Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport
celebrated 200 years this past June, built in 1812 and
completed in 1814. Rick Litchfield and Bev Davis
have been innkeepers since June 1978, 36 years.
Jill and Ted Hugger, who have been operating
the Cod Cove Inn for the past year, completed the
purchase of the 28-room property from Duane
Lowe and Dorothy Jones on October 31st. The
Cod Cove Inn is located in Edgecomb, Maine at
the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 (the
Boothbay Road).
“We are proud to become the stewards of the Cod
Cove Inn,” says Ted Hugger. “Over the years, the
inn has earned a stellar reputation among travelers
to the mid-coast region. We’re anxious to continue
that tradition by providing exceptional service and
a memorable visiting experience. We’ll keep the inn
open all year to accommodate our guests.”
The Huggers bring a wealth of hospitality and
marketing experience to the inn. Jill Hugger has
spent the last 25 years in the hospitality industries.
INNterviews
Most recently, she was the General Manager of
the Meadowmere Resort, a 144-room full-service
property in Ogunquit, Maine. Prior to that, she was
employed for 15 years at the 95-room Portland
Regency Hotel & Spa, where she was also General
Manager. Ted Hugger has 30 years of experience in
branding, marketing and event management, and
since 1994 had owned and operated an advertising
agency and tradeshow development company
based in Portland, Maine.
“Dorothy and I are thrilled to have found new
owners who will be an asset to the community and
who will maintain and improve the quality of the
inn,” says Duane Lowe. “We’ve had the opportunity
to work closely with the Huggers over that past year
and we’re confident in their ability to operate the
inn and to build on the inn’s reputation. We’re
excited about their plans for the property.” One of
the first changes the new owners made when they
took over the operation of the inn in September of
2013 was to keep the inn open for business during
the winter.
Laura Honey understands service in the
hospitality industry. This woman redefined,
and epitomized, the word “service.” Why is this
statement in the past tense? Because Laura “Mrs.
H(ospitality)” Honey is retiring from Fisherman’s
Wharf Inn after 50 seasons.
Honey has talked about it for a few years, and
came close last year, but decided she just wasn’t
ready. This past April, after she “added up all the
zeros” on her birthday, she knew it was time to
move on. A self-professed “people person,” all of
her life, the inimitable Mrs. H says she will miss
the people — visitors and co-workers — the most
when she closes the inn’s door behind her on Nov.
1.
“I just enjoy the people and the kids,” Honey
said. “I love the hospitality business, it’s very
unique. Everyone has to pitch in. I’ve always felt
the kids and adults worked with me, not for me.
I have never asked them to do anything I wouldn’t
do myself.”
Honey has more fond memories of those kids
than she can count. “I have kids here now whose
grandparents were here when I first came to work
part time in 1965. I’ve made some great friendships
here. I enjoy seeing those kids as adults years later
and sometimes training their kids,” Honey said.
Honey’s commitment to making visitors feel
welcome and appreciated has been acknowledged
by her peers within the tourism industry.
The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of
Commerce honored her in 1993, the Maine
Innkeepers Association’s Community Service
Award in 2003, the Governor’s Conference
on Tourism Food Service Award in 2005, The
Maine Innkeeper’s Association Innkeeper of
the Year in 2008, a Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Maine Restaurant Association, and
in 2014, Honey was the recipient of the Maine
Tourism Association’s Hall of Fame Award for her
outstanding leadership in the tourism industry. In
Boothbay Harbor, the Rotary bestowed its Lifetime
Achievement Award to Honey.
“It’s very humbling, very humbling,” Honey
said. “I’m just doing my job and having a great time
doing it. It’s nice to be appreciated by your peers;
it’s really something special when your peers think
you’re doing a good job.”
Bonnie Stover, general manager at the Tugboat
Inn for 36 years, said Honey is a “known and
respected fixture in the hospitality business.”
“Laura has employed generations of kids. So
many of them have looked up to and loved ‘Mrs.
H.’ She’s trained them and sent them off to college,”
Stover said. “Laura has received so many honors
from tourism groups; she has certainly made her
mark on the industry — locally and around the
state.”
Meadowmere
Resort,
a
Governor’s
Environmental Excellence recipient and a Maine
Innkeepers Community Service recipient, hosted
one of its Appreciation Weekends October 31November 2 in support of the Parkinson Foundation.
“We are excited to continue our 2014
Appreciation Weekend series and support the
Parkinson Foundation. This is an opportunity
suggested by a long time guest. We are happy
to give to the Parkinson Foundation’s efforts to
improve the quality of care for those suffering from
Parkinson’s Disease through research, education
and outreach,” said Allyson Cavaretta, Director of
Sales & Marketing for The Meadowmere Resort.
“Our Appreciation Weekends are part of being
a community – and our guests know that an
Appreciation Weekend gives back to a cause that
they care deeply about. It is the Meadowmere
Family – our team and our guests – come together
to make a difference on these special weekends.”
The Meadowmere Resort is pleased to make this
donation as part of its Gift of Service program.
Appreciation Weekends recognize returning
guests and offer the opportunity to Meadowmere
Resort guests and fans to support a charity for the
weekends and make a difference. Appreciation
Weekends occur throughout the year.
Reily Foods today named Jim Kaloyanides as
General Manager of New England Coffee. For
four generations spanning nearly 100 years, a
Kaloyanides family member has led New England
Coffee and the Nonantum Resort had been
selected as one of the Top 5 Green Hotels in the
country (and the only hotel in Maine and New
England) in the running to win $30,000 worth of
Henkel products like Dial sustainable guestroom
amenities. But only 1 hotel could win and they did.
Congratulations.
10
NORTHEAST OCEAN PLAN HAS POTENTIAL
BENEFITS FOR MAINE TOURISM
Maine’s unparalleled scenic views, coastal
and ocean wildlife, seaside beaches, and
recreational opportunities are major drivers
of the tourism economy. Decisions are being
made by government agencies all the time that
can have huge effects on these critical assets.
The number and impact of these decisions is
increasing every year, especially as demands
for different kinds of ocean development
increase. Proposals for wind farms, offshore
sand mining for beach nourishment, increased
shipping traffic, and more directly affect the
scenic, environmental and recreational assets
the tourism industry relies on.
State and federal officials in New England
are currently developing a regional ocean
plan that has the potential to help ensure the
resources most important to Maine’s tourism
industry are understood, considered, and
protected when government agencies make
decisions that would affect them.
few examples:
To cite a
Tourists and locals flock to the beach for
recreation. Sand for beach replenishment is
an increasingly significant need for preserving
our beaches, and planning for the increasing
demand for offshore sand extraction is an
explicit goal of the current ocean planning
process.
Just last month, the Regional
Planning Body responsible for developing the
ocean plan decided to create a special working
group to focus solely on planning for offshore
sand.
Recreational users are being specifically
accounted for in the ocean plan so that their
interests can be protected. New maps and
information on recreation were developed as
part of the plan that highlight where ocean
users recreate, so that government agencies can
protect those areas from conflicting uses.
Whale watching is an important economic
driver to the tourism industry.
Ocean
planning has successfully worked to adjust
shipping routes to avoid whale strikes, thereby
protecting whales and preserving businesses
who make a living on whale tours.
The ocean planning process currently going
on in the Northeast provides a meaningful
opportunity for businesses in the tourism
industry to ensure their interests are heard
and considered by state and federal decisionmakers who manage ocean uses. However,
the process needs your support to ensure it
its success. To learn more about the ongoing
ocean planning process and how you can
support it, go to www.neoceanplanning.org or
contact Susan Olcott of Ocean Conservancy at
[email protected]
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959 Portland Road, Saco, Maine, 04072
207-282-5176
11
Member Benefits
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Past Chair
Jim Ostrowski
Inns at Blackberry Common, Camden
Chair – Jeanne Carpentier
Emerald Hospitality, Freeport
First Vice Chair – Jean Ginn Marvin
Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport
Second Vice Chair – Jamey Kitchen
Hampton Inn & Suites, Thomaston
Treasurer – Bob Smith
Sebasco Harbor Resort, Sebasco Estates
At-Large Member – Chip Gray
Harraseeket Inn, Freeport
At-Large Member – James “Bud” Harmon
Moontide Motel & Cottages, Old Orchard Beach
At-Large Member – Alvion Kimball
Orland House B&B, Orland
Senior Advisor – Peter Daigle
Lafayette Hotels, Bangor
Legislative Chair – Scott Cowger
Maple Hill Farm B&B Inn, Hallowell
Jeanne Carpentier, Emerald Hospitality Associates,
Freeport
Ron Churchill, Bear Spring Camps, Rome
Scott Cowger, Maple Hill Farm B&B Inn,
Hallowell
Joshua Cushing, Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport
Peter Daigle, Lafayette Hotels, Bangor
Kim Dennis, Homewood Suites By Hilton,
Scarborough
Sarah Diment, Beachmere Inn, Ogunquit
Sue Ferrell, Down East Village, Yarmouth
Jean Ginn, Marvin Nonantum Resort,
Kennebunkport
Chip Gray, Harraseeket Inn, Freeport
James Harmon, Moontide Motel,
Old Orchard Beach
Mark Heisler, Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel,
Portland
Alvion Kimball, Orland House B&B, Orland
Jamey Kitchen, Hampton Inn & Suites,
Thomaston
Jane Lebrun, Cross Employee Benefits, Portland
Brian Leclair, Best Western Plus - Waterville,
Waterville
Matt Levin, Lord Camden And Grand Harbor Inns,
Camden
Matt Mattingly, Pine Crest B&B Inn, Gorham
Jim Ostrowski, Inns At Blackberry Common,
Camden
Ed Palmer, Marriott At Sable Oaks,
South Portland
Connie Russell, Samoset Resort, Rockport
Bob Smith, Sebasco Harbor Resort,
Sebasco Estates
Christina Thibodeau, Provider Hospitality, Bangor
Peter Twachtman, Migis Hotel Group, Portland
Woody Woodward, Highland Lake Resort,
Bridgton
INNterviews
The Maine Innkeepers Association is always striving to bring you relevant, bottomline benefits. Have you taken advantage of all of them?
Money-Saving Visa/MasterCard Processing
Real-time, Internet-based Maine Lodging Reservation Service in
conjunction with the Maine Office of Tourism
Money-Saving INNpower Energy Aggregation Program
Free Listing on Maine Innkeepers Association Web Site and Free Link to Your Web
Site
Discounted Natural Gas Program
Listing in the Official Maine Lodging Guide
Members-only Web Site Section With Online Laws and Regulations, a Cyberlobby
feature, Events Calendar and More
Annual Meeting & Conference With Exhibitors, Top Speakers & Seminars
ADA Suitcases Available For Members’ Use
Answers to Your Questions From Our Office or AH&LA’s Info Center
Free Maximum Rate Cards and Innkeeper Law Cards
Scholarship Program That has Provided $100,000+ in Scholarships over the Last 20
Years
Outstanding Networking Opportunity and Referral Network
Health, Dental, Life Insurance plus Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Care
Coverage as well as Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Maine Innkeepers Education Foundation, training future
employees and elevating our industry through a two-year high school curriculum in
lodging management
~MISSION~
We are committed to improving, promoting and
protecting the welfare of the lodging
industry in Maine. Through communication,
education, promotion and government affairs,
we help our members achieve prosperity and
deliver a quality product to the consumer.
INNterviews is published regularly by the Maine Innkeepers Association
304 US Route 1, Freeport, ME 04032
Phone: (207) 865-6100 / Fax: (207) 865-6120
Email: [email protected] / Web: www.maineinns.com
Executive Director, Greg Dugal
Director of Projects & Events, Jennifer Parlin
Administrative Assistant, Vicky Savoie
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