As president for the Arizona sector, Kelly will work with the association�s board of directors in addressing legislative and advocacy issues within the lodging industry.  He also will act as the key spokesperson for the Arizona lodging and tourism industry.

�We are delighted to have Barney Kelly as the leader of our organization,� said Michele Eckert, executive vice president of the Arizona Hotel & Motel Association.  �As a well-respected hotelier in the community, his leadership and concern for the lodging industry in the state will help keep our association�s momentum going into 2001.�

While serving as president for the Arizona Hotel & Motel Association, Kelly will continue his role as the Arizona regional vice president for La Quinta Inns, Inc.  Presently he supervises 12 La Quinta Inns and Inn & Suites properties in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff, Ariz.

Before joining La Quinta in 1993, Kelly worked with Doubletree/Compri Hotels for two years and was manager of the Los Olivos Executive Hotel in Phoenix. Kelly�s extensive knowledge of the lodging industry stems from years of experience with Sheraton in Southern California and Marriott Hotels in Boston, Chicago, Santa Barbara, Calif. and Washington D.C.  

Since joining La Quinta Inns, Inc., Kelly has served as president of the Valley Hotel & Resort Association from 1993-94 and been on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Tourism Alliance.

Dallas-based La Quinta Inns, Inc. owns and operates 231 Inns and 70 Inn & Suites in 28 states.  La Quinta is the lodging division of The Meditrust Companies (NYSE: MT), a real estate investment trust.