Recently, the members of Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) met for their semi-annual meeting. These meetings rotate between the nine inn members, and this one was held at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina. DINE meetings offer the chance the membership to review progress with marketing programs and perhaps more importantly, to set priorities, brainstorm ideas and gather as colleagues. Founded in 1995, DINE is one of the few regional marketing organizations for inns and B&Bs left. Over the past few days, the membership reviewed priorities and set an agenda for the future to ensure the organization can continue into the future.
One of the most important realizations that surfaced in long discussions about the future of DINE was the importance not just of the organization but of the distinctive innkeepers who participate in the group. While DINE is a New England marketing organization, it’s also a place where innkeeper colleagues can come to share ideas and issues with others who truly understand the job of innkeeping. The sharing and caring of colleagues will take on a key role in the future of DINE.
Today, in honor of the members, each of whom brings an important perspective to the group, we will share the smiles, and photos of the group at work and at play. Here’s to the faces of innkeepers who make up the energy behind DINE.
Every meeting starts and ends with a review of DINE’s marketing activities, along with a brainstorming session. Here’s a photo of the group hard at work. 
After an afternoon of meetings, the innkeepers break for a dinner filled with colleagues and lots of smiles. Here, Julia, innkeeper at Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, is joined by Angela, innkeeper at Grafton Inn.
Both founding members of DINE, Judy from Chesterfield Inn joins Leslie Mulcahy to toast the organization’s 28 year tenure.
Elizabeth, innkeeper and owner of the Inn at English Meadows is amused by the stories at the table.
It’s always hard to fit all members at one table, so this is a partial group shot.
One of the traditions at DINE meetings is the group photo. Here are a few takes on the attempts to get a good one.
More faces to be sure we don’t leave anyone out…Another member who started his DINE career shortly after the founding of the organization, Brian Shields from Manor on Golden Pond, and his wife and co-owner/innkeeper, Mary Ellen. 
Presenting Laurie, innkeeper and restauranteur at Deerfield Inn…
DINE’s trusty President, Carolyn, innkeeper at Harbor Light Inn does a great job of running meetings and organizing DINE meetings.
Here’s Brian Mulcahy, hard at work during an earlier DINE meeting at Captain’s House Inn last fall. 
Captain’s House Inn innkeepers, Steph and Drew are shown here at the DINE meeting at Captain’s House Inn.
There you have it, the faces of DINE and the members the true energy behind the organization’s success. We hope to welcome those who wish to meet DINE innkeepers at our nine DINE member inns soon.
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod
In Maine: Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield
In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic