The Jefferson Inn of Ellicottville named 2005 "Star of the Industry" by New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association.

"We are particularly pleased and honoured to recognize our Stars of the Industry at a time when the tourism and hospitality industry has never been more critical to the well-being of New York state's economy," said NYSHTA President Daniel Murphy. "Our stars, along with industry leaders, play a pivotal role in helping to promote travel and tourism - the state's second largest industry."

Qualifications

You may be reassured that your business is in good hands.

Business of Innkeeping:
1. Marketing: packaging, search engines, coop ads, PR
2. GMS: Rezovation, Guest Tracker, Webervations, Worldres
3. Hiring and training staff
4. Buying or selling a B&B

Donna went to school in Vancouver, B.C., but her work experience was in Ontario. Her work experience prior to innkeeping was mainly in nursing research, consultation, education, administration and case management. Donna was on the first board of New York State Bed and Breakfast Association and remained on the board for eight years as regional director, secretary, and president.

Property Aspects of Innkeeping:
1. Heating and Air-conditioning and refrigeration
2. Working with contractors
3. Construction and repairs
4. Garden design and maintenance

Jim went to school in St. Catharines, Ontario and eventually established and ran his own HVAC business for 30 years in Hamilton. His long membership in Rotary provided him with the service and organizational aspect of his skills and he was instrumental in establishing the Rotary Club of Ellicottville, N.Y.

Organizational Experience:
1. Program Planning
2. Team Building
3. Frameworks such as By-law development
4. Strategic Planning

Donna and Jim organized the 2001 NY State B&B Conference which was held successfully in Ellicottville. They attended all the NY state B&B conferences/workshops each year from 1998 to 2005 and PAII conferences in Chicago in 2002 and Providence in 2004.

Personal Information: Donna and Jim have been married 24 years and between them have 7 children and 10 grandchildren and family and friends from coast to coast. They love traveling, cooking, gardening, skiing, puttering around a house and walking their labrador, Rio. But even more that that -- Donna and Jim love people!