I want to take a few moments of your time to ask you to help take better care of the Allied Members of the Minnesota Hotel & Lodging Association (MH&LA) and the American Hotel & Motel Association (AH&MA). It is an effort which, if not done, will cost us money, both as hoteliers and as an association.

Allied Members choose to join the MH&LA and/or the AH&MA for a variety of reasons. The three principal ones are probably enhanced marketing potential, to support our causes (as we go, so do our vendors) and because they may even have developed some personal relationships among our members. When they pay their dues and subsequently support us by exhibiting at our trade shows, donating to our PAC and paying to attend our functions, they expect something for their money. They expect us to pay a little attention to them and their efforts. In other words, a higher degree of access than non-allied members.

No, we don't have to commit to buying only from Allied Members or to give them preference in any way other than access. We certainly aren't going to buy from an Allied Member who does not offer and subsequently deliver the best quality, price and service we can obtain in the market place. We should, however, try to do two things: 

1. Get quotes from Allied Members and let them know that is why we are getting the quote, whenever we're buying a product they sell. 

2. Make our current vendors who are not Allied Members aware of the opportunity they are missing and the responsibility they have as a company deriving revenues from our industry.

Marketing as an Allied Member lets us know that a vendor is serious about serving our industry, that they want to understand it and participate in it. Allied Members get support from the MH&LA/AH&MA in the form of member lists, preferred opportunities on sponsorships and participation in events. In the case of AH&MA Allied Members their is a monthly Construction and Modernization Report and a presence on the new AH&MA internet home page. The Construction and Modernization Report is a tremendous lead list.

In some cases, member hotels and motels are franchised or chain managed and have access to tremendous buying power which smaller Allied Members cannot match. When we make them aware of those circumstances, they understand and they'll appreciate your taking the time to let them know. It is a great way to let a Allied Member know you appreciate their support and that you'll refer them to those who can't make the same deal you can.

On the other hand, you may have an opportunity to do everyone a favor by introducing an Allied Member to your national purchasing organization. Save your company and affiliates money while helping a worthy Allied Member. There is also a special group of individuals, Master Hotel Suppliers (MHS). These individuals have gone to the extra effort to take hotel courses and be tested by the Educational Institute (El) of the AH&MA to receive this designation. A person who has the MHS designation has a deeper understanding of our business than other vendors. This designation, like the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and other EI designations, demonstrates the individual's commitment to our industry and their own professionalism.

In summary, encourage vendors who are not Allied Members to become one and then give Allied Members access to you in a manner appropriate for your business and its needs.

I'm going to work harder to take care of Allied Members, won't you?