PAII Announces New President and CEO

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. October 14, 2008

HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ, May 26, 2007. The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) announced the appointment of Jay Karen as President and CEO of the organization, succeeding Pam Horovitz who resigned in January. PAII is the only association representing and serving, the broad range of innkeepers nationwide, from those who own small bed and breakfasts to owners and managers of large full-service country inns. PAII was founded in 1988 by California innkeepers Pat Hardy and JoAnn Bell and has grown to a current membership of more than 2,000 innkeepers and vendors serving the innkeeping industry.

Since 1997, Jay has worked for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), based in Charleston, rising through the ranks from his first job as Conference and Trade Show Coordinator to his most recent position as Director of Partner Relations. During his nearly seven years as Director of Membership, Jay oversaw the growth of NGCOA from 4,000 to 6,200 daily-fee, private and resort golf courses worldwide.

Jay says he sees numerous similarities between the innkeeping and golf course industries, most importantly the prevalence of individual and family entrepreneurs who care deeply about their customers and their local communities. Speaking of PAII, Jay says, "At the heart of this association are people working hard at something they love: the innkeepers, suppliers, consultants, peer organizations, and everyone else tied to the innkeeping business. There is much work to be done for the industry, and it will be a pleasure to be around these people."

Jay is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and is a Certified Association Executive. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and a Master of Arts degree in History from the College of Charleston. He is married to Carrie Lyndrup; they have one daughter, Marley.

Debrah Mosimann, chair of PAII's Board of Directors, says of Jay Karen: "We are excited to welcome Jay aboard and look forward to his capable and visionary leadership. PAII is at a place in its growth that is exciting, and Jay has the enthusiasm and skills to lead the way forward." Debbie and her husband Werner own the Swiss Woods Inn in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

PAII's principal focus is providing education and networking opportunities to help innkeepers become more successful. PAII hosts an annual convention, with dozens of general sessions and workshops on every important aspect of innkeeping, and it publishes books, newsletters, and magazines, including the new Innkeeping Quarterly. In the past two decades the B&B/country inn industry has grown rapidly from a tiny niche market to one of the most important segments of the hospitality and travel industries. PAII counts some 20,000 full-time and part-time bed and breakfasts and country inns in the United States, serving millions of business and leisure travelers.

For more information about PAII, visit http://www.paii.org or contact Karen Hudgeons, Director of Membership and Member Services, at 856.310.1102 or [email protected].