Are you an aspiring innkeeper?

Join CABBI at the ANNUAL ASPIRING INNKEEPING AS A PROFESSION (IAP) CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION: Choose the 2-day or 3-day workshop
TWO-DAY WORKSHOP
Regular Registration by 1/25: $590 (single) $950 (double)
Onsite Registration: $695 (single) $1195 (double)
THREE-DAY WORKSHOP (includes InnSpire 2008)
Regular Registration by 1/25: $885 (single) $1600 (double) 
Onsite Registration: $935 (single) $1700 (double)
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Please contact the Hyatt Vineyard Creek & Spa directly for your hotel reservations at 800-233-1234 and ask for the CABBI conference rate of $129. This rate is good until 1/11/08. This hotel is located in Northern California.s wine county at 170 Railroad St. in Santa Rosa, in walking distance from the Historic Railroad Square District.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Conference cancellations must be received in writing by 12/31/07 for a full refund less a $25 processing fee. After 12/31/07, no refunds allowed.
REGISTER ONLINE or visit the Workshop page

Top 10 reasons to become an innkeeper...or why we did at least!

1.  Meet really cool people

2. Enjoy hospitality and serving

3. See people relax in your home and enjoy each other

4. Providing a refuge and peaceful spot 

5. Reading the wonderful comments in the journals or online from guests

6. Have a passion for cooking

7. Listen to new stories from new faces

8. Be your own boss

9. Live a historic home and interact with the community

10. Turn a dream into reality

Innkeeping 101 or our tips about running a B&B

As an innkeeper for over 5 years (average life style in running B&Bs is 7 years) we can say that it is a wonderful way to interact with guests and to host the traveling public. The most important thing we offer at our Placerville bed and breakfast is us. We are the ones who provide the personal, friendly service at our historic Queen Anne Victorian.

There are as many ways to run a B&B as there are B&Bs. That is not to say that any way is better or worse, professional or more of a hobby. Each B&B is different, thanks to the unique tastes and styles of the those who are the innkeeper.

For instance at our bed and breakfast, the previous owners had a rule about taking your shoes off upon arrival. They provided slippers to make you feel you were at home. Once we took over the bed and breakfast, and the innkeeping duties we changed that. We figured if you want to leave your shoes on you can...that to us is more welcoming. Our guests are free to wear shoes, slippers, socks or go barefoot. It is your stay, and your choice.

Guests at the inn...wanna be an innkeeper?

We always have wonderful guests at the bed and breakfast. It is one of the reasons that makes being an innkeeper so rewarding. Many of them have become dear friends and come back to us annually and in some cases every few months.

One of the best parts is being able to "catch up" with them on what they have been doing and hear about their other travels. And it is always fun when they notice changes at the bed and breakfast too!

Since some guests have stayed with us in Placerville before, they will ask for some the recipes or a favorite cookie or breakfast, but don't let that stop you from asking if it is your first time with us.

And, we do have recipes on our website, under the dining page.

As, always, just ask us any innkeeping questions you might have....

Bed and Breakfast inns for real

Opposed to what you see on Tori and Dean's show "Inn Love", running a bed and breakfast is hard work, and many of us do that work ourselves. We do not have someone to run it for us, nor do we call someone or give up at the first sign of trouble.

Rita and I have painted several of the rooms in the inn ourselves, in addition to the decorating, cooking, cleaning, furnishing, gardening, etc. only leaving the wiring, and exterior painting to professionals. It we had a one story house, we might have even done that ourselves.

There is not "someone else" taking reservations, staying up to greet late arrivals, or making breakfast, shopping, etc. It is us--and Lily helps too.

While it is most certainly work, doing what you love, innkeeping is a passion as well.

Update on Inn Love reality????

The following are the comments I posted to bnbfinder after watching the show tonight:

I wish them all the best and while I am sure that they mean well, the fact that it is a “reality” show makes me think they are just acting to generate interest. I hope they show innkeeping as it really is (despite the above) and that not all inns are “frilly”, and have gnomes in the garden, or are “musty and dusty”. Even in our 1902 Queen Anne (the Albert Shafsky House in Placerville, CA) the frills are kept to a minimum. B&B’s today are attracting all ages, and if this generates more guests (for all of us, not just them), then it is a win for all innkeepers.One note, they need to get a real website–how can you even find the inn, without the help of the Oxygen promos. Most reservations are made online today, particularly by the crowd they say they want to attract.

I did not add how very cheesy the whole thing felt and that I was embarassed for them as I watched. Kinda like watching a train wreck...you just can't stop....

Innkeeping ideas

I have neglected to post since the conference, sometimes time does get away from you when you are an innkeeper! And not just bed and breakfast duties intrude, sometimes just life in general...no excuse, but there you are.

The innkeeping conference was great (as usual) and we got to see old friends and make new ones--just like at the inn, picked up some new items (booties for the rooms from Cypress Robes, and for sale) and some new and old ideas...like I really need to revisit our business plan and do a SWOT of how we are doing. It has been too long and I would really prefer to have a plan, rather than react to the environment...

Conferences are a great way to reinvigorate yourself and the inn, with new innsights (pun intended) and a change of pace. And being away does not hurt either, as it provides a break from the routine and a chance for us to experience the service we offer.

In the category of odd, Tori Spelling was at the bed and breakfast inn conference as they have opened a bed and breakfast in Southern California for fun? and are planning to have their adventures filmed. More on that in the next post.

CABBI workshops

As the conference gets closer, the more excited I get at the thought of the workshops....every time I have been to the innkeeping conference I take away new friends and new ideas from from each and every workshop I make it to. And Rita goes to different ones so we can cover twice the amount of ground. I hope to see some fellow innkeepers at Innspire!

I am going to be attending the following workshops at CABBI Innspire:

Small Property Idea Fair
Have fun in this interactive workshop where fellow innkeepers will share those ideas that have proven successful! All attendees will receive a compilation of these ideas discussed at the workshop.

Build a Better Website
Leading B&B website designers provide a free critique of participants' websites at this workshop. Learn about what works on your website and how to improve it to convert more lookers into bookers. Follow in the successful path of other innkeepers through website case studies. Learn how you can increase your profit from a better website design with a review of "before and after" websites and discover what is hot and what is not. Actual revenue increases and return on investment (ROI) will be shared for each case study.

Search Engine Optimization Secrets
Want to increase your revenue for free? Of course you do, and you will be surprised how quickly you can with a few tips and tricks. Expert Scott Crumpton asks for just an hour and he will show you everything you need to know to get your site to the top of Google, Yahoo and MSN. He will cover everything from simple keyword research to link strategies as well as debunk a few myths along the way. Forget what you think you know-it's what you don't know that is costing you money every day.

Tool Time From A to Z
CABBI Past President and contractor Rick Andersonis one handy man! This hands-on demonstration is guaranteed to be educational, informative and fun! Learn simple steps to make your repair jobs easier.

Market Niches & Value-Added Packages
A panel of successful niche marketers share how they developed their customer base and how to target a particular interest. Increase revenue by creating value-added packages such as wine-tasting tours and romantic weekend getaways; market to bike and sports enthusiasts and accommodate guests traveling with pets.

Empty Beds and Empty Wallets?
Placing a Dollar Value on Your GuestsMarketing costs range from 5-20% of an innkeeper's budget, yet few innkeepers understand how to best allocate their time and measure their limited resources. This workshop will help you estimate acquisition and retention costs, conversion ratios, and how best to use such "pay-to-play" marketing tools as online advertising through directories, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and website design, as well as "pay-if-they-stay" marketing tools like online reservations and gift certificates.

Create Your Own Marketing Plan
This session is designed to assist B&B owners/managers to develop an actionable marketing plan. Learn how to create a market planning model as well as the thinking process needed to transform your property into a market-driven business designed to increase revenues.

Innkeeper Tips

Innkeepers need to have a wide variety of skills and interests. That is why the job is so great for more than one person. A team can help each other out and complement each other's skills.

A few traits that are good to have as an innkeeper

• be good with people,
• have community contacts at their fingertips
• be helpful with dinner and other recommendations
• like to make new friends, be good listeners (helpful to know how to anticipate needs)
• not mind when people ask the same question over and over
• love to share stories and listen to others
• not mind staying up late for late arrivals
• a basic knowledge of cooking, gardening, plumbing, marketing (and more)

There are many more that will help you be a great innkeeper.

Remember, if you have any questions, please comment on our bed and breakfast blog and we will get right back to you!