Rockland — The Historic Inns of Rockland, including Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House and Granite Inn, were awarded the 2012 Champion Award at the annual Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show hosted by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, Jan. 28-31 in Las Vegas.

The Champion Award is bestowed upon individuals who or entities which have succeeded in working on behalf of a group of innkeepers — locally, regionally, nationally or internationally — and have garnered a significant victory for innkeepers. It is given to those who have made a difference in their local communities and states.

Cheryl Michaelsen, co-owner of the Berry Manor Inn, accepted the award on behalf of the Historic Inns of Rockland.

In nominating Historic Inns of Rockland for the award, nominators noted, Their success has required a relentless pursuit of a shared vision to get the traveling public to choose the Rockland area as their Maine vacation destination. This year their marketing and public relations efforts were recognized by Grow Smart Maine. In recognition of their efforts to champion the model of being “cooperatively competitive” as the ideal way to create success for a region Grow State Maine identified the Historic Inns of Rockland as the tourism success story for the entire State of Maine. Awards chairwoman, Joyce Schulte of the Chambered Nautilus Inn in Seattle added that Historic Inns of Rockland are an example of what diligent, cooperative marketing can achieve.

Additionally, together the four inns have helped achieve awards including “Coolest Small Town” by Budget Traveler Magazine and “Best Adventure Town” by National Geographic Traveler. By working together to market travel to Midcoast Maine they have achieved coverage in such media as Coastal Living, Country Living, Today Show, New York Times, Today Show and much more.