Matt Turlinski at the Chamber of Commerce
Matt Turlinski, co-owner of Rehoboth’s Lighthouse Inn B&B was just installed as Chairman of the Board for the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. As the first openly gay businessperson to hold the job, Letters thought an interview, with Feature Editor Fay Jacobs, was in order!
FJ: Congratulations on taking the helm. It’s a great organization and exciting that you are the first openly gay Chairman. What are your 2011 plans to get the business community out front and center?
MT: My plans include supporting the business community in continuing to promote the area as a clean, safe and friendly resort. This clean, safe and friendly banner has long been carried by the Chamber and is what keeps our destination leading other coastal competition for visitation.
I have a personal interest in, and I am in the planning stages for a big car show. Lambda Car Club International holds a Grand Invitational in a different U.S. city each year. In 2011, it was Detroit; it’s Rehoboth in September 2012. It is a multi-day event with 300 to 400 cars (showcasing classic ones) from all over the U.S. We are hoping this will draw thousands of additional visitors to our area.
FJ: What did you do before being an innkeeper and when, and why did you open The Lighthouse Inn?
MT: I was a communications consultant with what is now Verizon. We opened the Lighthouse in July 1996. I never wanted to go into business for myself, my partner Jerry did. We had talked about it a little. For me, I liked the security, benefits, and atmosphere of a large company. But after an automobile accident in the early 90s, I was out of work for a few months. I realized, even with the pain, I was so mentally and emotionally relaxed. I never realized I hated my job so much, and after 17 years with Verizon, I was like “get me out of here!”
FJ: Do you have a favorite story or incident or two about being an innkeeper? Spill!
MT: Probably the funniest was two ladies who stayed with us about twelve years ago. At the time, we had a dead bolt lock on the door our guests used, and you had to lock it on the outside once you left. Jerry and I had already left and locked the door, and when the ladies went to leave, they accidently locked their keys in their bedroom. So they came looking for us and realized we had left and figured they would just go shopping and catch up with us when they returned. That’s when they realized they could not open the door, so they climbed out the half bath window. They were in hysterics the whole time they were telling us, just thinking what the neighbors must have thought if they saw them coming out the window butt first.
FJ: What are your thoughts on the diversity in RB businesses and how the gay and straight business community operates together?
MT: Our business community really works well together. It doesn’t matter who owns or runs a business. Most of us are here by choice and by working together, we can actually be more successful.
FJ: Have you seen changes in this relationship between the straight and gay business community over the years?
MT: Tremendous changes. You can see this by the support of two major events that have grown dramatically over the years. The first is the Sea Witch Festival spearheaded by Carol Everhart. She works tirelessly to make it a huge success year after year. We had our largest attendance ever this past year. None of this could have been possible withut the backing of all our diverse businesses.
Likewise, Sundance has the support of the whole community. All the support and donations just shows how this community works jointly, not only for a good cause, but an event that can pay off the rest of the year through the exposure the businesses receive.
Also, the ongoing issues with the City and the patio noise ordnance has brought many gay and straight businesses together to work closely to resolve the problem.
FJ: I have to ask. How does it feel being the first openly gay Chairman of the Chamber?
MT: I never really thought about it in that way. The Chamber Board has such a nice and accepting group of individuals. When I was asked to be on the Executive Board and found out that I eventually would become Chairman, I was thinking, “Do they know what they have done?” Eventually I realized that being gay was not an issue for them and not one that I needed to be concerned about.
FJ: It’s no secret that the tourism industry and the whole community gets hit hard in a recession. How do you think Rehoboth area businesses are faring and what is your prediction for this coming season?
MT: Just like many towns and cities across the country, we were slammed by this recession. I believe everyone here is just holding on. We decided to reduce our prices at the Inn the last few years and this seems to have helped a lot. Other businesses have done the same. Some of the restaurants reduced their prices, others had their winter menu specials continued throughout the year.
For the first time in a number of years, I am not as worried and am more optimistic about the coming season.