LEFT TO RIGHT: Dave Parr during a 50th birthday trip for Gary Townes and Jeff Malish and a 60th for Scott Enchelmaier prior to their Team Kilts defeat of Team Tartan Pants at a Ryder Cup format event in Scotland in September of 2019. Jim Benjamin on the far right in the group photo.
hotel brands. The Marriott Starwood merger changed most everything. Now there is truly an 800-pound gorilla controlling multiple properties on nearly every corner. One has to stay nimble and look for opportunities in order to get a good deal. There is a lot less competition than there used to be, and that’s generally bad for the consumer.” And ABMA hasn’t been immune to major changes as well. “We have fewer member companies even though dues collection has stayed relatively stable,” says Parr. “I’d like to think that ABMA member companies are healthy and are purchasing competitors, sometimes consolidating ABMA memberships, and sometimes folding a new entity into an existing membership. It is especially gratifying to see so many ABMA companies profitable and growing.”
PUTTING ON ANNUAL CONVENTIONS “The convention planning drives you crazy because you have a lot of balls in the air at the same time, but it is all manageable,” says Parr. “Having Kappie and Marty with me
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from the beginning has also been a tremendous asset. During convention week we all try to have everything lined out well in advance so that during the convention itself, we have the ability to dance and tangle with whatever comes up. We all love the convention because we get to be with our friends, old and new, and enjoy the moment along with everyone else.” He adds that “Kappie and Marty have been invaluable to ABMA, and me, since 2002. They are every bit as much a part of this story as I am. She and Marty completely and expertly run the front room of convention services and are for many people the face of ABMA. I am very proud of the work and service they have provided.”
MOST GRATIFYING Asked what has been most rewarding to him during his tenure, Parr says, “The ABMA Foundation which is a wonderful part of the association which exists to serve others. Through the foundation, we have been able to change people’s lives for the better, and a lot of the credit for it goes to Tom Parseghian of Power Brushes who created an opportunity in which a
