AmericInn Inn The News

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.