An honoree in the Society of Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Honor, the story of Kemmons Wilson’s Holiday Inns is one that is well known. It started in the summer of 1951 on a Wilson family vacation when Kemmons lamented the fact that it was nearly impossible to find affordable, reliable lodging. His idea was to build a brand name that could be trusted, one that a traveler could count on to be consistent in price and quality – thus the birth of the Holiday Inn motel chain. The first one was built in August 1952 on Summer Avenue in Memphis, and today Holiday Inns can be found all over the world.

Kemmons Wilson has gone on to become one of the most respected businessmen in the nation, known as “The Father of the Modern Innkeeping Industry.” He has spent his career offering tips for success to entrepreneurs with their own dreams. He said, “The business world of today, and the future, will always have a place and need for entrepreneurs. I cannot imagine how we can achieve true progress without them.”