277:, Washington, Guertin recorded the names and locations of motels less than a gas tank apart from each other. He used the information collected to create a guide provided to the growing number of interstate travelers on trips. Members were initially recruited by Guertin who sought varied hotels from small roadside motor courts to urban hotels as long as the owners agreed to adhere to the association's high standards of quality and service. Over time, this referral program grew into
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He was involved in the creation of the
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in 1933, and in 1938 purchased the Beach Motel, which would become the first Best
Western property. Over time he built or owned 13 motels in
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He left Texas for
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posthumously in 2009 for his many contributions to the industry. At the time of induction
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is now a global hotel brand with 4,200 hotels in more than 100 countries.
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218:(January 18, 1891 – April 14, 1970) was the founder of
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and was known in the hospitality industry as Mr. Motel.
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286:Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
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235:M.K. Guertin was born on January 18, 1891, in
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18:M.K. Guertin
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376:"Inductees"
346:"100 Years"
205:Founder of
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304:References
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