Hello, members.

In a secret ballot vote, Richard Svendsen of Starlight Pines Bed and Breakfast in Flagstaff was elected to serve for 2009 as AABBI's first representative to the board of the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association.

Richard, who is leaving AABBI's Board at the end of 2009 as our Treasurer, is excited about the opportunity to continue supporting AABBI and promises to represent our industry strongly alongside our AzHLA colleagues.

There were five candidates for our AzHLA board representative and I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm from every one who came forward for the job.

I am very excited that, for the first time, Arizona's Bed and Breakfast community will have an equal voice at the table along with our larger hotel, motel and resort colleagues.  This increased visibility and input can only work to improve our businesses and the regulatory and economic climate for tourism in Arizona--in a time where it's desperately needed.

I give Richard my full support and challenge him to do great things in growing our new relationship with AzHLA.

Jeff DiGregorio, President
Arizona Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns
c/o The Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast Inn
204 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Az. 85701
(520) 670-9022
stay@RoyalElizabeth.com