NEWBURY PARK, CA— Marking its third year as a membership organization, Best Value Inn finds itself adding properties at an increasingly rapid rate, helping to push the emerging brand further up the industry radar. According to Gene Kordoban, director of membership development, an average of one property every five days is finding its way into the fold— check in hand— against last year’s average of one a week. Case in point. On Monday, July 8, the organization was celebrating the completed signing of its milestone 175th property, a 115-room, four-story, new-construction property in Waxahachie, TX, near the convention center. By Thursday, July 11, Kordoban told HOTEL BUSINESS® number 176— this one in Arlington Heights, IL, was signed, sealed and delivered, the one-time, $5,000 initial fee on its way to the bank. It is the 30th property this year to add the BVI flag. In 2001, 52 members were signed. “When we get near major cities like Chicago, it gives us the opportunity to now move into those markets stronger,” Kordoban said, considering the positioning of the newest property. Although located primarily in secondary and tertiary markets, as well as along highways, Kordoban stressed “we’re still pioneering in a lot of markets.” Led by CEO Roger Bloss, the organization’s model is reminiscent of Best Western International, also a membership association. In addition to the low initial fee, BVI bills a flat, monthly fee based on a property’s number of rooms opposed to a percentage of sales. For example, the monthly fee for a 100-room property, as calculated on BVI’s website, comes in at $1,095. It’s these features, along with a robust GDS out to 600,000 travel agents and global Internet coverage and distribution on major travel websites to which Kordoban attributes the increased interest in the brand that now includes inns, inns and suites (about 30%-35% of the members), two extended-stay properties and one hotel. In addition, the company touts there are no liquidation damages since there are no long-term contracts, and there aren’t any mandatory structural changes needed for properties upon becoming a member. “Our contracts are year-to-year, but I’ve had several owners join us and sign up for two, three, even five years,” he added. Kordoban said word-of-mouth referrals, internal member recommendations and showing the BVI flag at industry trade shows— “I do all the shows I can find that are reasonably priced and also well attended”— have also helped boost the member roster. Encouraged, BVI in June added two independent contractors to assist Kordoban, who’s been a one-man band up until now (although BVI’s six executives— Bloss; Kordoban; Bernie Moyle, COO/legal counsel; Louis Fisher, evp-real estate development; Barry Greer, chairman and director of renovation/construction; and Peter Frantz, marketing director— all talk the talk and walk the walk). To further push the brand ahead in 2003, Tennessee-based James Bryson and Dallas-based James Miller will each have four states to target for new members. Currently, BVI has members in 37 states, British Columbia and Baja California. “I found amazing growth in California,” said Kordoban. “It’s been our number-one state and we have close to 40 properties…[for several years]we also had a ‘sampling’ all over the country. For example, we have one in Maine, one in Connecticut, etc., which we feel is really important. What’s happened since then is the Northeast has had a lot of growth for us. We’ve added properties in Connecticut, Rhode Island…we added 14 properties in seven months in the Virginia/Maryland area.” He noted, on average AAA-rated, two- and three-diamond properties are what BVI is looking for. “The thing that I’ve seen the most with our chain over the last six to eight months is growth from within. It’s not a lot of owners, but it’s usually their relatives— aunts, uncles, cousins or some other good friend who has a property. When they refer them to join us, then yo