AmericInn Inn The News

Did you know that the major automobile producers have dozens of new models of electric cars coming out next year? The community in Elk Horn, Iowa does and that is why they are working together to install eight charging stations throughout the community of 800 residents.

The stations allow customers to swipe a keyfob and then plug-in and charge their electric vehicles. Users may locate the charging stations and even determine whether or not they are currently occupied using Google maps.

The recent opening of an electric vehicle charging station at AmericInn’s Elk Horn, Iowa, property marks the first official hotel in Iowa to host a public charging station. Elk Horn is located off of Interstate 80 between Omaha and Des Moines.

“AmericInn is thrilled to be home to one of the first electric vehicle recharging stations in Iowa,” said AmericInn Lodge & Suites co-owner Lisa Riggs. “We believe the station exemplifies the lengths we will go to meet the convenience and comfort needs of our guests.”

The stations will no doubt be an added bonus for overnight guests with electric vehicles that need to charge for hours. Not only is the Elk Horn property the first Iowa hotel and first AmericInn hotel to have an electric vehicle charging station but it is also part of the first set along the I-80 corridor between Chicago and Denver. The other charging stations in the set are also in Elk Horn and are hosted by the Danish Windmill, Elk Horn Service Station and World Cal, Inc. The ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations are led and funded by Elk Horn, Iowa-based renewable energy company Iron Eagle Technologies, Inc.

Key members of the Elk Horn electric vehicle charging station project at the gas hose cutting ceremony on November 12, 2009 (from L-R): Lisa Riggs of the AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Elk Horn and Danish Windmill Manager, Doug Parker of Liberty Labs, Inc., Brian Crowe from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, Robert LaPlant of the Electric Car Company, Mike Howard of Iron Eagle Technologies, Mike Carberry of the Iowa Renewable Energy Association, and Janell Hansen of the Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company.

Sara Piekarski, General Manager of AmericInn Lodge & Suites in Fergus Falls, Minn., is being honored by the Minnesota Jaycees as a 2009 Outstanding Young Minnesotan along with nine other motivated Minnesotans.

Piekarski will receive her award at the Minnesota Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans and Outstanding Young Farmers banquet on Dec. 5.  The Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans (TOYM) program acknowledges the efforts of young leaders who are 18-40 years old and who have contributed to Minnesota through service, thought and influence, community involvement or entrepreneurship. Started in 1950, the TOYM program is Minnesota’s only statewide recognition program for outstanding young leaders.

Piekarski, 32, was chosen for her leadership within the Fergus Falls travel and tourism industry and her passionate commitment to community shown through countless volunteer hours with Walk MS, Relay for Life and others.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments Sara has achieved since joining AmericInn in 2001,” said AmericInn International, LLC Director of Franchise Services Jim Bridger. “Not only have her exceptional management skills earned her this prestigious recognition, but her involvement in the Chamber of Commerce, Special Olympics and Jaycees have made her a valuable resource to the entire community.”

Her role as an AmericInn manager, Piekarski said, has pushed her to improve her leadership skills in working with employees and community organizations like the local Conventions and Visitors Bureau. She also volunteers with the Noon Kiwanis and the local Jaycees chapter. A recent Fergus Falls Daily Journal article about Piekarski’s award characterized her as a “people person.”

Piekarski is no stranger to top honors. Earlier this year, she was awarded the regional STAR award by the Minnesota-Dakotas Kiwanis Club for helping others in her community, being a business leader and overcoming obstacles. She was also recognized in 2006 as a top manager by the Discover Lodging Management Group.

(Cross-posted from SleepBetterAmerica.net)

Dr. Christopher Drake, who is the resident sleep expert for Americinn’s Sleep Better America campaign, is quoted in the Sept. 30 issue of the Orange County Register, one of the largest daily newspapers in California. The article, “The A, B, Zzz’s of helping kids sleep,” which also ran online, is featured on the cover of the paper’s “Life” section. Journalist Carine Nadel chronicles her experiences with her own kids’ sleep and asks Dr. Drake the following questions:

1. How can we help our children get to sleep and stay asleep?
2. What can be done for children who suffer from frequent nightmares?
3. What if you have children sharing a room and one has sleep issues?
4. Should parents banish naps?
5. For parents who might use your suggestions or need other topics addressed, do you have any other information?

For Dr. Drake’s answers and other helpful articles for parents go to OCRegister.com and click on “OC Moms.”

In late August, the new AmericInn of Wichita South located on 4848 South Laura Street officially opened. This AmericInn property is the first location in the city of Wichita for the hotel brand. There are currently five AmericInn hotels in the state of Kansas.

Formerly a Holiday Inn Express, the AmericInn of Wichita South will be managed by Frontier Lodging of Aberdeen, S.D. and locally managed by Amanda Ayesh. Many amenities have been enhanced to meet AmericInn’s strict standards for quality and guest satisfaction. The hotel has 52 smoke-free guest rooms, a complimentary hot breakfast with eggs, sausage and waffles, free wireless high-speed Internet and an indoor pool and hot tub to offer guests fun and relaxation. A new AmericInn loyalty program is also being introduced to offer Wichita residents and travelers cash incentives for booking their stays.

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and is known for its aviation and western heritage. The new AmericInn of Wichita South is located near the Sedgwick County Zoo, Rock River Rapids and Old Town, which is a revitalized warehouse district with turn-of-the-century buildings, brick streets, lights and boardwalks. The area offers visitors shopping, dining and entertainment activities

During a down economy, there is an increase in poverty, a lack of food and homelessness, meanwhile charities are experiencing a decrease in donations. AmericInn is taking notice and donating more than 60,000 bath amenities to the Twin Cities’ Dorothy Day Center and Sharing and Caring Hands. Both charities focus on helping homeless and near-homeless individuals by offering food, shelter, showers and clothing free of cost.

Over the past year, Sharing and Caring Hands based in downtown Minneapolis has provided more than 10,000 showers, 2,800 beds and 240,000 meals to Twin Cities citizens who have no other access to bathing facilities, shelter and food. Mary Jo Copeland, founder of the Sharing and Caring Hands says, “For 25 years we have been helping the poor, relying completely on volunteers and donations. So often basic hygiene is the first sacrifice when you’re trying to save money. Our guests are always welcome to shower and have a clean place to eat and sleep.”

AmericInn staff with Mary Jo Copeland, founder of Sharing and Caring Hands

AmericInn successfully completed its first-ever online “Free Room Night” Sweepstakes, which ran from June 1-30, 2009, awarding 30 lucky consumers across the country with one free night’s stay at any AmericInn location of their choosing. One winner was chosen at random each day throughout the month of June.

A few sweepstakes recipients even wrote to thank us and tell us how they’ll benefit from a free AmericInn stay during the next year:

“The gift certificate will be used when my sister and I go to visit my other sister and my husband, both living a few hours away in different nursing homes, in different towns. Staying at an AmericInn will help us have the time to spend with them without having to rush back home. It will also make the finances a bit better for a two-day trip to see them. What a lovely surprise!” – Carol

“I wanted to take the opportunity to thank AmericInn. I could not take a long vacation this year, so I was very excited to win your contest and look forward to my visit.” – Debra

Through the push of public relations, social media outreach, emails, online banner ads, search engine marketing and reciprocal linking from the home page of our Web site, AmericInn received over 65,000 entries for the “Free Room Night” Sweepstakes. Once at the sweepstakes Web site, thousands of consumers redirected themselves to AmericInn’s site to learn more about the national hotel chain.

The Pioneer Press named Paul Kirwin, President & COO, a “Mover.” Here are a few highlights from Kirwin’s interview:

Tell us about your responsibilities: Crafting a new four-year strategic plan that will bring Northcott Hospitality which builds, owns, licenses and operates hotels and restaurants, including the AmericInn, Perkins and Houlihan’s brands to a new level of success as we look forward to celebrating Northcott’s 50th anniversary in 2010.

What experiences have prepared you for this new position? Working at Carlson Hotels Worldwide as president for the Americas and Asia Pacific. Prior to moving to Asia, I was president of Country Inns and Suites by Carlson, where I helped grow the brand from eight to more than 400 locations in multiple countries. My leadership involvement at Carlson with Country Kitchen and TGI Fridays now mirrors my work at Northcott with the Perkins and Houlihan’s brands.

What song title would characterize your life right now? ‘A Change (Would Do You Good)’ by Sheryl Crow, because my wife and I are now completing a two-year transition from Asia, joining Northcott, moving into a townhome and becoming empty nesters.

What is the best part of your job? I love building entrepreneurial companies that have breadth and Northcott has no fewer than four business units. We own and operate restaurants, build and operate hotels and develop the AmericInn hotel brand in 22 states. I love having a lot of balls in the air.

My idea of a perfect vacation would be … whitewater rafting in West Virginia, skiing in Utah and ending on a beach with my family in Cancun, where I can read historical fiction by James Michener.

AmericInn’s three-day annual conference with the theme of “Hospitality with a Twist” drew approximately 500 of the hotel chain’s owners, managers and vendors to Branson, Mo from June 3-5. The theme was chosen to celebrate AmericInn’s successful growth and reputation for quiet room environments and excellent customer service. Conference attendees learned about the chain’s outlook for 2009, plans to continue franchise growth and the new “Sleep Better America” PR/marketing campaign by a brand panel presentation

Other noteworthy speakers and entertainers at the conference included Dan Coughlin, an executive coach, who talked about accelerating brands; Waldo Waldman, a former decorated Air Force fight pilot, who presented on the importance of wingmen and never flying solo; Janelle Barlow, an author and consultant, who spoke about how to appropriately handle customer and guest interaction and Rock & Roll Legend Chubby Checker performed.

AmericInn awarded the following properties and individuals with 2008 honors:

• World Class Service and Property of the Year – Greg and Stacey Raisanen, AmericInn, Belle Fourche, South Dakota

• Breakfast Attendee of the Year – Nancy Washburn, AmericInn, Traverse City, Mich.

• Franchise Partner of the Year – Tom Sheetz, owner of AmericInn hotel properties in Chippewa Falls, Wis., New Richmond, Wis., Shell Lake, Wis., and White Bear Lake, Minn.,

• Front Desk Employee of the Year – Lori Wittkowski, AmericInn, Greenville, Mich.

• Housekeeper of the Year – Vivian Wise, AmericInn, Jonesborough, Tenn.

• Innkeeper of the Year – Jim Makowsky, AmericInn, Oswego, Ill. and Virginia, Minn.

• Maintenance Employee of the Year – Tony Bakacs, Oswego, Ill.

Finally, articles about AmericInn’s convention ran on www.hotelworldnetwork.com and in Hotel Business magazine.

A recent sleep survey conducted for AmericInn Hotels found that six in ten U.S. adults (62%) had trouble falling asleep at least one night per week and nearly 10% had a tough time sleeping every single night. That’s a total of 3.1 billion hours of sleep lost in America each week or 161 billion hours per year.

So what are the leading causes of all this lost sleep in our country? The survey found economic fears (36%) lead the reasons for American sleeplessness followed by high energy prices (29%), health and medical concerns (28%), stress over politics (22%) and concerns about war and global terrorism (12%). No wonder America is having a hard time sleeping.

Here are 10 easy tips to create your own sleep haven:

1. Cut out all caffeine. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, it’s not just coffee that is your biggest sleep culprit. Avoid tea, sodas and anything with chocolate.

2. Make your bed. Ever noticed how much more comfortable a freshly made bed is? The uniform snugness of the sheets can create a cradle effect around the body and the fresh smell of clean sheets can mimic the feel of a luxurious hotel bed.

3. Leave work out of the bedroom. Keeping your bedroom free of anything work-related is key in creating a true sleep haven. That means leaving files, laptop computers or PDAs on the kitchen table, not the nightstand. This may be difficult when traveling, but try to keep the bed and side tables free of work-related clutter.

4. Eliminate outside noise. If you live in a noisy neighborhood, shut your windows and use air conditioning during the summer months. If you reside in an apartment or are staying in a hotel that doesn’t use soundproofing construction like AmericInn Hotels does, invest in noise-canceling headphones, white noise or sound effect machine.

5. Block out all light. When at home, use double thick curtains like the ones you find in hotels. Make sure you turn off all electronics in your room that emit light, including DVD players. A piece of masking tape over the display works great.

6. Avoid using alcohol and nicotine before bedtime. Even though alcohol may initially help you fall asleep due to its sedating effects, it causes severe sleep disruption during the second half of the night with frequent and long duration awakenings. Also, studies have shown that smoking before bed delays the time to fall asleep and is associated with a worsening insomnia in some individuals.

7. Banish the TV. Watching TV while in bed stimulates the mind, encouraging restlessness. Consider listening to classical music, but stay away from news or talk radio.

8. Distract your mind. Break away from daily stresses by reading a book before going to sleep at night. Counting sheep isn’t just a silly remedy. The combination of the counting and the visualization distracts your mind and lulls or bores you to sleep.

9. Workout in the morning. If traveling, take advantage of your hotel’s exercise room. By adding an extra hour in your morning for some cardio-vascular exercise you will stay energized throughout the day and sleep better at night. Beware of working out too close to bedtime, as it can leave you over stimulated.

10. Pay attention to your eating habits. Eating right while traveling is always a challenge since many restaurant entrees are loaded with calories and served in huge portion sizes. Try picking healthier food options and you don’t have to clean your plate even if your mother used to make you. Finally, make sure you don’t eat more than two hours before bedtime, so your food has time to digest.

The comfort of your own bed is a precious thing. After a few days of traveling, most of us start missing our favorite pillow, sheets, mattress and even alarm clocks. Familiarity helps make it easier to relax. Even if you travel often and are used to staying in hotels and adjusting to new settings, you’re still likely to suffer from sleep deprivation.

A 2005 British Airways and Research International survey concluded that business travelers aren’t getting enough sleep. Out of 1,000 business travelers surveyed, 25 percent admitted to falling asleep in a meeting, and 70 percent said they felt less productive after travel.

Below are five common reasons travelers suffer from sleepless nights, followed by advice from Dr. Chris Drake, a bioscientific investigator at the Henry Ford Sleep Research Center in Detroit and the sleep expert for AmericInn Hotels.

• Work/Deadline Stress – Work deadlines must still be met even when traveling. So many Americans tend to do extra work in their hotel rooms after-hours, which can damage natural sleep patterns.

Dr. Drake’s Advice: Business travelers need to set strict boundaries. It’s healthier and more productive to take mental and physical breaks. Schedule a massage, enjoy the whirlpool, or take a walk. Relaxing before bed is important for good sleep quality. The body and mind often have a difficult time quickly switching modes. Relaxing helps stabilize sleep patterns and keep important biological rhythms on track.

• Stiffness and Drowsiness from Long Drives – Our bodies get out of sorts from long car rides, which can leave us feeling stiff, sore and groggy. Falling asleep while riding as a passenger in a car can also cause travelers to have trouble sleeping at night.

Dr. Drake’s Advice: Travelers who put lots of miles on their odometers should take regular breaks to get fresh air and stretch their legs. The worst thing to do is to sleep for long periods on a car ride. This can take away from the body’s ability to have quality sleep at night. And remember, never drive while sleepy. Start a business trip well rested, so you’ve banked extra hours of sleep. Also, do simple neck rolls, arm stretches and abdominal flexes while riding in the car, and be aware of good posture. Once settled in the hotel, hit the workout room or consider seated Pilates to reenergize and stay healthy.

• Unfamiliar Sleep Environment, Room Temperature and Lighting – Staying in a hotel is never the same as sleeping at home. A tiny sound in a strange setting can keep you wide awake. Room temperature and lighting can also make a big impact on sleep quality.

Dr. Drake’s Advice: To make hotel rooms more like home, travelers should bring their own pillow, sheets, blanket and photos of loved ones to create more comfortable sleep zones. Most hotels have thermostats in every room, and customers shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help with setting the temperature. To ensure good shut-eye, light-sensitive travelers should invest in a high-quality eye mask.

• Noise Distractions – You never know who your neighbors will be when you stay at a hotel, so upon check-in ask about your room location and if any youth groups or honeymooners are staying nearby. After driving and working hard all day, you don’t want to be awakened in the middle of the night by noisy neighbors or an ice machine.

Dr. Drake’s Remedy: Professionals who regularly travel for work should book their stays at hotels known for providing a quiet and peaceful experience. One chain is AmericInn, which uses a trademarked AmericInn SoundGuard™ construction process to create quiet room environments. Other ideas to reduce noise distractions are white noise machines or a soothing CD.

• Loneliness – Numerous hours in the car or plane, client meetings and working in a secluded hotel room makes many travelers miss family and friends. Being alone in bed without a spouse or significant other can also make someone toss and turn all night.

Dr. Drake’s Advice: Before going to bed when on the road for work, call a spouse, family member or best friend. If you’re a spiritual person, take time for prayer or meditation before bedtime. Lastly, a technique known as progressive muscle relaxation is a treatment for chronic insomnia, but anyone can learn this technique, and it can be helpful when falling asleep, especially when lonely.