Lodging vies for Air Force award Published July 29, 2008 By Earlene Smith 81st Force Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- The Inns of Keesler has been selected to represent the Air Education and Training Command in the large base category of the Air Force Innkeeper Award competition. "Our selection was the result of winning the AETC 2008 Inns of Excellence Award," said Barbie Ragno, the lodging general manager. "It's the first time we've been considered for the Air Force Innkeeper Award since the award program was created in 1981, so we're all pretty excited." The award is presented annually to recognize, by Air Force-wide competition, lodging operations that provide the most outstanding hotel-type lodging and customer service to Air Force travelers. Beginning Tuesday, an inspection team spends three days guided by a 26-page inspection standard check list to evaluate all facets of Keesler's lodging operation. The team will also look at those programs and activities that go above and beyond the normal day-to-day operation. Inspection team members from Air Force Services Agency headquarters in San Antonio are Alison Reid, chief of the lodging operations branch; Kevin Norton, chief of the lodging facilities branch; and Capt. William Charlton III, director of the agency's research and development effort. The Innkeeper Travelers' Award is also on the line. This award is presented to military or civilian lodging team members who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, attitude, customer service and job knowledge. "The evaluation teams select one nominee from each of the bases competing for the Innkeeper Award," Ms. Ragno said. "Everyone on the staff is eligible, so competition is keen. The person selected receives a certificate and an invitation to the award ceremony, Nov. 8 in New York, where four winners are announced." Winners of the Innkeeper Award are also recognized at the November award ceremony, and presented with a large traveling trophy and a smaller trophy for permanent display.