Chase, general manager of the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis for the past ten years, began his career in the lodging industry 28 years ago as a bellman for the Marriott in Bloomington. Chase then left the lodging industry for a time while he served in the Vietnam War, but upon his return, he began working for the Marriott in Portland, Ore. Chase also opened a property in South Bend, Ind. and before returning to Minnesota, spent seven years at the Marriott in Albuquerque, N.M.

With Chase's many years of lodging experience, he shared his goals for the Association in 1999 at the annual meeting with the membership. "First, I want to focus on the technical advancement of our Association. By mid-January, we'll be rolling out our new Association web site. I am certain that it will become one of the most important tools we have to keep our members current, connected and cared for," said Chase.

Chase also focused on the need to increase marketing dollars for the Minnesota Office of Tourism. According to Chase, "We haven't had a funding increase in Minnesota for over a decade-while states all around us are becoming better funded each year. Our Office of Tourism spends only $2 million a year in advertising, while Michigan spends $6.6 million."

Finally, Chase encouraged hoteliers to get involved in grassroots efforts and the Association's annual Hospitality Day at the Capitol. "For the last five years, I've actually brought a busload of my line managers and executives to the Hospitality Day at the Capitol event every March. They get to hear about our issues and actually visit legisla-tors at the state Capitol. They leave with an excellent understanding of the political process and how they can make a difference," he stated.

Chase has served on the Minnesota Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors for eight years. He has also served on the Hospitality Minnesota Board of Directors, Hospitality Legislative Committee, Hotel Nominating Committee, Hotel Finance Committee and HOPAC - our Hospitality Political Action Committee.
 

Other Officers Elected During the Annual Meeting Include:

• President-Elect: Bill Foussard - Best Western Americanna Inn, Saint Cloud
• Vice-President: Steve Scherer - Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Duluth
• Treasurer: Tom Loughlm - Hilton Minneapolis & Towers, Minneapolis
• Immediate Past President: David Brott - Baymont Inns & Suites, Brooklyn Center
• AH&MA Director: James Sadler - Sadler Properties, Rochester

• Steve Dubbs - CSM Corporation, Saint Paul
• Kevin Molloy - Kahler Corporation, Rochester
• William Morrissey - Morrissey Hospitality Companies, Saint Paul
• Greg Parsons - Northland Inn, Brooklyn Park
• Torn Sullivan - Hobart Corporation, Minneapolis
• Pam Thorsen - Thorwood Historic Inns, Hastings
• Jim Polinsky - Radisson Inn Plaza, Rochester

• Mike Brunkow - Radisson Hotel South & Plaza Tower, Bloomington
• Kirby Payne - American Hospitality Management Co., Minneapolis
• Sheryl Persons - Tharaldson Enterprises, Fargo
• Michael Roddy - Marriott Hotel, Bloomington
• Brian Thuringer - Madden's on Gull Lake, Brainerd
• Kenneth Weldon - Americlnn International, Deephaven
• Steve Barrett - Inn on the Farm, Brooklyn Center
• Allan Falk - Super 8 Motel, Zumbrota
• Gene Foster - Saint James Hotel, Red Wing
• Roberts H. Pace, Jr. - Central Group Management, Saint Cloud
• Scott Uttley - Holiday Inn Select International Airport, Bloomington