Logo for "Stay Inn the Heartland."
A city street lined with trees, decorative lights, and a prominent skyscraper in the background.

Members Only

STAY Connected | STAY Supported | STAY INN the Circle

Stay INN the Heartland is a community dedicated to celebrating and supporting independent lodging while creating exceptional guest experiences. We connect passionate innkeepers with the tools, marketing, and industry partnerships needed to thrive. By upholding the highest hospitality standards and fostering collaboration, we help unique properties attract more travelers and provide memorable STAYs across the Heartland.

A cozy gathering space with food and people socializing in a warm, inviting inn.

STAY Connected

2025 Events

STAY Connected events provide an opportunity for our membership to gather, socialize, share ideas, challenges & opportunities resulting in a chance to grow in knowledge and friendship. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!

March 10, 2025 - Second Chance Landing - Rhineland, MO
May 5, 2025 - Main Street Inn - KC, MO
June 2, 2025 - Nebraska - Location TBD
July 21, 2025 - Tuxedo Park, STL, MO
August 11, 2025 - Southeast, MO - Location TBD
November 10, 2025 - Location TBD

STAY Central

STAY Central is the database hub/brain of our organization. We have built STAY Central to contain the most common answers to questions and access to documents and videos so you have them at your fingertips. You also have quick access to other parts of our organization - industry business partners, property listings, tourism business partners, etc. - all together in one location. You can always login to STAY Central from this link.


Promotional materials and attendees at a Stay Inn presentation, featuring mugs, brochures, and a speaker.

Membership Meetings

2025 Meetings

We hold membership meetings two times each year. These meetings are your opportunity to Stay INN the Know with the happenings of Stay INN the Heartland. While they are 'business' in nature, they are also opportunities for us to share updates in a larger setting. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming meetings!

Spring Membership Meeting
 •Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 1pm | Google Meet
Fall Membership Meeting
 •Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1pm | Google Meet
Board Meetings | 2nd Wednesday of each month

Meet Your Board

Rebecca Darley

Treasurer and
Gift Certificate Coordinator
Walnut Waters Bed & Breakfast
Lone Jack, MO

Melissa Lensing

Vice President of
Marketing and Web Committee
Second Chance Landing
Rhineland, MO

Kathy Ayers

President and
Project Manager
Main Street Inn
Parkville, MO

Chad Walton

Membership Committee
and Quality Control
Old Vine Bed & Breakfast
Hermann, MO

Maureen Elliott

Secretary
Tuxedo Park STL
Webster Groves, MO

A wide street lined with trees and buildings, featuring decorative streetlights and flags.

INN the Circle

Membership has its Benefits

  • INNer Circle
    The Heartland Certified Stay 'INNer Circle' is a loyalty program for Stay INN the Heartland members. We recognize that small independent properties may have a difficult time 'giving' monetary rewards for repeat guests. With that, Stay INN the Heartland wants to promote repeat business for member properties and encourage guests to visit other member properties.
  • STAY+Learn
    The STAY+Learn Program is a professional development program within the Stay INN the Heartland organization that allows current member INN-keepers to visit current member Inns and learn about best practices of others in the industry firsthand and take that learned knowledge and insight back to their own business for application.
  • STAY Certified
    Stay INN the Heartland is an organization that wants high quality, exclusive, and safe properties for our guests. Receiving a Heartland "Stamp' of Approval" is a badge of excellence and quality that builds trust with guests and members alike!
  • STAY Memorable
    STAY Memorable is our Gift Certificate Program. Our organization has a long history of directly selling gift certificates to guests. These gift certificates can be used at any of our member properties. Stay INN the Heartland has never taken a commission on these gift certificates, and we don't intend to.