Kemmons Wilson

This plaque hangs in the Holiday Inn on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

"The

Kemmons Wilson

Holiday Inn Story

Holiday Inn was born from one man's vision that would forever change the  hotel industry and the landscape of American Travel

It all started in the summer of 1951. Our founder, Kemmons Wilson, took his family on the "road trip that changed the world." The Wilsons couldn't find lodging accommodations to meet their needs, and Kemmons was the kind of man to do something about it. He realized road-weary travelers need much more than just a room. People could use a hot meal, a place to relax and unwind, modern conveniences, and a friendly staff to take care of them. So, he began designing a new kind of full-service hotel, with great value and a brand name you could trust. On August 1, 1952, modern hospitality was born when Wilson's children cut the ribbon on the first Holiday Inn hotel in Memphis, TN.

Today, by staying true to our original core ideals, Holiday Inn welcomes more guests daily than any other hotel brand. We continue to honor Kemmons' dream, and build on it every day."

The Wilson Children, Spence, Bob, Kem, Betty and Carole, cutting the ribbon on the first Holiday Inn in Memphis Tennessee in 1952.