St. Johns Man Named Executive Director, Select Registry Distinguished Inns

Association Veteran To Head Network Of Award-Winning Inns End Quote

(1888PressRelease) July 27, 2010 - MARSHALL, Mich. - William R. Carlson of St. Johns, Mich., has been named executive director of Select RegistryTM, Distinguished Inns of North America (http://www.selectregistry.com) based in Marshall, Mich. In his new role, Carlson will oversee strategic planning and marketing initiatives that build upon the organization's 40-year history as the premier association of critically acclaimed inns, B&Bs and small boutique hotels across the U.S. and Canada.

"We're delighted to welcome Will to Select Registry," says Bill Moncrief, the organization's president. "His leadership skills, combined with his impressive track record of success in marketing and association management, will be tremendous assets. We're confident that under Will's direction, Select Registry will continue to grow and that travelers' awareness of Select Registry as the industry's benchmark for quality will be strengthened."

Before joining Select Registry, Carlson was the president and owner of Webzone Marketing, LLC, also in the city of St. Johns. The firm integrated website development, Internet marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns to help small businesses develop and improve their online presence.

Previously, Carlson was managing director of the central Michigan-based Flower Promotion Organization (FPO), a joint venture between American and Colombian growers to expand the market for fresh-cut flowers sold in the United States. He oversaw FPO's multi-million-dollar website development and marketing campaign and led the organization in developing and maintaining a high-traffic consumer website. Carlson created and oversaw successful radio, television and print advertising and public relations campaigns. Under his leadership, the FPO launched a number of initiatives - including a consumer hotline, e-newsletter and online encyclopedia - which drove traffic to the website and stimulated demand for fresh-cut flowers.

Concurrently, Carlson served as executive director of the Floral Trade Council, also based in central Michigan, where he managed U.S. Congressional affairs and trade programs in support of domestic flower growers. Carlson was instrumental in the formation of the 1998 Congressional Flower Caucus, which sponsored legislation in support of domestic growers. He also led successful fundraising campaigns on behalf of the industry and played a leadership role in the formation of the FPO.

Carlson began his career in 1988, serving first as an aide to U.S. Congressman Bob Carr and later as a legislative aide for Michigan's Rep. Tom Alley. In these roles, Carlson managed successful media and community relations campaigns. In 1993, he served as manager of the Barbara Mason Campaign for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. Carlson played a key role in developing the political platform and oversaw the production of radio and television commercials, as well as direct mail campaigns. He built positive press relations, obtained endorsements from major associations, managed scores of volunteers, and directed a highly effective get-out-the-vote campaign.

Among Carlson's many honors, he is a recipient of the National Service Award from the Michigan Floral Association. Additionally, he was named one of the "20 Innovators of the Past 20 Years" by Greenhouse Grower Magazine, which also lists him in its prestigious "40 Under 40 Industry Leaders" ranking.

Carlson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is a member of the Michigan Society of Association Executives. For many years, he has also chaired both the Website Committee and the Future Trends Committee of the Garden Writers Association. In his spare time, Carlson enjoys travel, spending time with his three children, gardening with his wife and tinkering with new technology.

About Select Registry
Marshall, Michigan-based Select RegistryTM, Distinguished Inns of North America represents 400 of the finest country inns, luxury B&Bs, and unique small hotels across North America - the very best the industry has to offer. Established more than 40 years ago, Select Registry sets the standard for excellence, with the longest, continuously running inspection program in the B&B industry. Inns applying for membership receive rigorous inspections, as do existing members on a periodic basis. Independent inspectors with years of hospitality experience arrive unidentified, spend the night and evaluate the inn. No other online directory or organization of innkeepers has a comparable inspection program, establishing Select Registry as the benchmark for quality. Each member property is unique and showcased in the Select Registry guidebook. With more than 400,000 copies available as gifts to guests, the guidebook is the largest publication of its kind in the travel industry. For more information, visit http://www.selectregistry.com.

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