The 1970's; A Real Busy Time For The Guild

It was the directors' unanimous agreement in October that the growth and development of the Guild in its stewardship of the accommodation industry was imperative to adequately assess a new direction for the 70's to keep pace in a rapidly changing industry. This resolve was put into action with the formation of nine new committees; Future Objectives, Finance and Budget, Advertising and Public relations, Training and Education, Food and Liquor, Monthly Newsletter, Transportation and Signs, Membership, and Legislation.

During the 1970's, the Guild experienced a number of organizational issues. There was a lack of interest by members to participate. In 1976, because of the fact that it was perceived that the Guild did not represent the entire accommodation industry and the fact that its profile had deteriorated over the years, during a membership drive that year, 58% of the listed members cancelled their membership and 25% did not respond at all. It seemed that many members were disenchanted with the Guild.

Gordon Henning, Penny Gott, Karl Stein, John Bentley	The Innkeepers Guild's Annual Meeting 1971 Delegates include (l-r) John Pazahanick, Lorne Nicolson, Chris Meisner and Jose Cabrita

A Turning Point

This lacklustre response to the Guild was attributed to the lack of defined goals which thwarted any direction to accomplish them. It was declared that 1976 would be a "turning point" for the Guild to definitively secure its future. The initial step was to clarify the primary issue of operators and thereby determine priorities. They were; 1) municipal taxation, 2) telephone utility charges, 3) financial health of some members, 4) transportation matters, 5) power utility costs, and 6) education and training. Other problems entailed the lack of regional directors and zone participation, the place for campgrounds, the lack of an integrated industry council, the myth that tourism is a non-depleting resource. As well, the limited signage on highways, competition from university facilities, development of resort centres, and historic sites.

A cornerstone of the proposal to re-establish the Guild as the primary voice of the accommodation sector in the Province, was a Presidential Tour of the Province for June 1976 to analyze the problems of each area and demonstrate the Guild's concern.

The formulation of regional chapters to provide a "grass roots" level of support was essential. A consultant had been hired to provide accompanying media coverage to attain a high public profile. The consultant stated' "A key to the success of the Guild in the future will be the exposure of every level through the media and announcements to service clubs and publicity on the whole. This is the face that the industry has, and thus the Guild must undertake positive activity to enhance the industry's representation to the public to attain higher visibility."

The long term recommendations involved using more of the Guild's resources; more frequent area meetings, utilization of the advice and contributions of the older Guild members devising concrete benefits such as group purchasing, reduced insurance rates, etc. It was also planned to increase the use of Guild symbols to invoke pride and familiarity, even on such items as swizzlesticks and coasters.

A program of continued close government liason with a spokesman and retention of close communication with members was imperative.

Serious action also had to be taken to counterbalance some of the financial problems. A series of money making projects were proposed, including the publishing of a book detailing "Old Inns of Nova Scotia" which would also improve the Guild's public profile.

In 1976 and 77, the Guild took on the Province in a public relations battle that resulted from the government passing an amendment to the Labour Standards Code stating that employees working on holidays must receive time off with pay or be paid double time and a half. In addition there were numerous articles in the Chronicle Herald, including the headlines "Innkeepers Seeking Better Phone Deal", "Innkeepers Set Up A New Branch (in Northumberland Area)", "Owners Blame Regulations For High Price of Hotels", "High Costs Hurting Tourism; Government's Approach Not Unified", and "Government and Industry Must Work Together".

In part, as a result of the Guild's increased public relations, the Department of Tourism made a request for the Guild's input on the main issues in a government sponsored industry conference.

The Groundwork for the Formation of TIANS

A particularly important interaction of the Guild was its support of, and participation in, the formation of the long awaited and much needed Nova Scotia Hospitality Industry Council (to be renamed the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia; TIANS).

Work had started in earnest to form a "one voice" industry organization by two groups after a meeting with Premier Regan and his Cabinet in August of 1975. The government had requested one body to represent the industry, a concept the Guild had long advocated.

This new organization which was originally advocated and actively supported by the Guild to coordinate the fragmented industry segments, develop concise future goals and have more "political clout" with the government, would also greatly alter the Guild's pre-eminence in the industry.

The Guild's Precarious Status

Following the formation of TIANS, the membership situation with the guild was still regarded as critical, as the severity of the situation was mirrored in the 1977 Conference theme, "To Be, or Not To Be".

Over the next 20 years, the Guild has been struggling for its own identity. Although actively involved in bringing issues to the floor of TIANS and other bodies, it has been in the shadow of TIANS and the original purposes and function of the guild has been forgotten by many within the industry.

President Nicholson, in his report of 1979, stated that, "In the last 40 years, the Innkeepers Guild has been innovator and originator, and after ideas are proven, others carry on with it while the Guild explores new frontiers, new ideas… We see our role to continue as industry leader, not necessarily that the Guild will be the body to perform these functions (though it can) &endash; rather the Guild should be the driving force, the instigator of other people".

A slate of suggestions for the Guild's direction in the 1980's included more interface with government agencies, support of research into a rating system for accommodation (a long time goal of the Guild), industry staff training, and a co-op purchasing program.

This effectiveness was further enhanced when a close interaction was sought with TIANS to avoid duplication of its activities.

By March 1979, the guild had decided that its annual meeting would be held in conjunction with TIANS. The Guild's office was also moved from the Roy Building and relocated to the TIANS office on Spring Garden Road.

Since 1979

Over the past 25 years, the Innkeepers' Guild has been quite satisfied existing in the shadow of TIANS as an important partner and voice in the tourism industry. The Guild has been quite successful at having TIANS champion most of the issues that face fixed roof accommodation operators in the Province of Nova Scotia.

In 1999, the Innkeeper's Guild of Nova Scotia asked the same questions that were raised during the presidency of Mr. Christopher Gowers (The Hotel Nova Scotian) in 1976, and it was decided whole-heartedly at that time that the importance of the Guild was as important on it's 60th anniversary as it was back then.

The Important Issues Seem To Bring Us Back Together Again and Again

At the present time, there are some very important issues looming for the fixed-roof accommodation sector of the Province of Nova Scotia, as a whole. In the early 2000s, the re-drafting of the Regulations were an active issue. Today, Canada Select and the grading and rating of properties is a very hot item, as are plenty of other issues, including: property assessments, destinations, marketing the product, etc.