California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns

Annual Conference
& Trade Show 2011



Conference Schedule and Workshop Descriptions

Below is the 2010 InnSpire Conference and Trade Show schedule. Keep checking back for the 2011 InnSpire Conference and Trade Show schedule to be posted

Sunday, January 31

11:30am - 1:00pm

SANDWICH KIOSK OPEN
Sandwiches available for purchase in the lobby of the Meritage.
Noon - 6:00pm
INNSPIRE REGISTRATION

1:00 - 1:15pm

WELCOME AND FIRST-TIME ATTENDEE ORIENTATION
Let us welcome you to the 2010 InnSpire Conference and Trade Show! If this is your first time attending InnSpire, please let us know when you check in so that we can assign an InnSpire Conference Committee member to assist you throughout the conference.
1:15 - 2:15pm KEYNOTE ADDRESS
  Hospitality, Humor and the Joys of Comfort
Michael Pritchard is America’s nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, wellness coach and motivator. Traveling coast to coast, Pritchard uses humor to educate his audiences on life skills such as: improving communications, social emotional learning and instilling new dedication to both work and home. Featured on CNN and in TIME magazine, Pritchard has been recognized as “somebody who is making a difference.” The Wall Street Journal declared: “What really sets him apart is the humanity and authenticity of his material.” For more than three decades, Pritchard has been using humor to teach communication skills, anger management, diversity, conflict resolution, and overcoming burnout and stress. His sensational standup comedy billed him with the likes of Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg. But Pritchard rejected offers from Hollywood to focus on using his comic talents for inspiring youth and adults. His broad base of audience from corporate employees, healthcare workers, government and state officials have honored him with countless standing ovations and numerous awards including the President’s Volunteer Action Award. Through his humorous approach, Pritchard will share his reflections and personal experiences regarding hospitality. Most importantly, he’ll provide us with the key ingredients of inspiration and motivation to kick off the 2010 InnSpire Conference!
Presented by Michael Pritchard
2:30 - 3:45pm

GENERAL SESSION
Seven Marketing Tactics of Highly Successful Inns
Learn how Web 2.0 and social media fit into a complete marketing plan. This session ties together the pieces to the puzzle of marketing a highly successful inn and outlines for the innkeeper an easy-to-follow road map for success.
Presented by Scott Crumpton of White Stone Marketing

3:45 - 6:30pm
TRADE SHOW AND OPENING RECEPTION
Join us on Sunday beginning at 3:45pm for the start of the Trade Show. Wine and appetizers will be served.
   

 

Monday, February 1
8:00 - 9:00am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Innkeepers and vendors, please join us for a continental breakfast on the patio of the Meritage.
9:00 - 10:30am GENERAL SESSION -- ROUNDTABLES
 

Move from one roundtable to another. This is your chance to ask questions, have a discussion, and network with innkeepers and industry experts on key topics.

10:30am - 5:00pm
TRADE SHOW
The Trade Show will be open on Monday until 5:00pm.
10:45am - Noon CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
  The Truth on Social Networking
Where does an inn start with their Web 2.0 strategy? What strategy works and what does not? Learn how to distinguish the pitfalls from the opportunities in the realm of Web 2.0. Important segments like blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Linkedin will be analyzed. Learn about easier Web 2.0 entry points like Google Local, TripAdvisor and Yelp. This session is designed to create a social networking strategy with prioritized segments.
Presented by Trent Blizzard of Blizzard Internet Marketing
  Video Marketing: Aggressive Marketing in a Weak Economy
This workshop will cover video marketing technology and longevity. Obtain tips on hiring a video production company. Learn how to protect your marketing dollars from video content that does not work. Discover how quality video increases the value of your inn.
Presented by Kelley Micuda and Aaron Warzynski of Otter Rock Films
Noon - 1:30pm
BUFFET LUNCH AND SHOPPING TIME IN THE TRADE SHOW
Enjoy a buffet lunch, visit with exhibitors in the Trade Show, and discover new products and services that can help you save time and money.
1:30 - 2:45pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
  Lemonade Innkeepers in a Lemon Economy
Despite being in the worst recession in decades, a surprising number of innkeepers had their best year ever in 2009. We’ll take an in-depth look at why these properties are doing well despite (or even because of) the recession, and analyze the reasons for their marketing successes.
Presented by Patty Crowe of BedAndBreakfast.com, Russ Herschelmann of Old World Inn and Francois LeClair of Casa Laguna Inn
  15 Minute Marketing Makeover: Refocus your Revenue Goals with the help of Web Statistics
Learn how to understand your revenue and occupancy goals using Web site statistics. Discover how to close the gap between your current and desired revenue. Plus receive the keys to a focused, successful marketing plan using search engine marketing, pay-per-click, and referrals from directories and forums.
Presented by Steven Dunston, marketing manager of InsideOut Solutions
3:00 - 4:00pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
  PCI Compliance: Are Your Systems Secure?
This workshop will focus on PCI basics and what are they. Uncover what it means to be PCI compliant and how it can destroy your inn if you are not compliant. What do the standards require? You’re liable even if you are compliant and your POS or property systems are not. Discover five of the most common non-compliant practices and how to correct them.
Presented By Jim Abrams, CH&LA member legal advisor
  The ADA: Are You Compliant?
This workshop will educate innkeepers on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn how ADA affects you as a business/property owner. Determine how to do a brief self analysis. Plus, this workshop will dispel the myths of “grandfather clauses” and the assumption that California and Federal codes are one in the same. Most importantly, learn how to protect your inn against “drive by” ADA lawsuits and take advantage of tax credits and deductions for performing ADA upgrades.
Presented by Chris Taylor, owner & CEO of ADA Compliance Consultants
  Wine Tasting and Pairing
Get a whole new understanding and appreciation of the importance of the proper pairing of wine and food. Dean Busquaert of Beringer Vineyards will delight you with his innovative and educational wine and food pairing class. Please note: this workshop is limited to 25 people. There will be a sign-up sheet for this class at the InnSpire registration desk.
Presented by Dean Busquaert of Beringer Vineyards
  PAII Town Hall Meeting
Come to this fun and informative meeting for PAII members and those interested in becoming a member of PAII. You'll learn all the exciting things happening at the association, including details on the new membership model, efforts to launch "A Better Way to Stay" B&B campaign, important research efforts and more.  
Presented by Jay Karen, PAII President & CEO
4:00 - 5:00pm
TRADE SHOW TIME WITH EXHIBITORS
Shopping Time, Trade Show and Silent Auction closes
6:00pm RECEPTION WITH WINE AND APPETIZERS
7:00pm DINNER IN THE MERITAGE WINE CAVE
  Register in advance for this event. Reserve your spot for just $20 per person for this three-course dinner with wine included in the Meritage Wine Cave. Experience a truly unique Napa Wine Country evening as we feast like kings, toast to a promising 2010, and enjoy the company of friends old and new. You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

Tuesday, February 2
8:00 - 9:00am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Enjoy a continental breakfast along with a cooking demonstration from Laurent Berthon, executive chef of the Meritage Resort & Spa; and Michael Clark, owner and head chef of Michael's on Main. Obtain tricks on how to make a great breakfast for less money.
9:00 - 10:15am
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
Creative Ways to Increase Your Bottom Line
As a small business owner, it is essential to have additional sources of revenue. This panel will provide you with creative ideas directly from CABBI innkeeper members that help increase revenue and improve your bottom line. Come gain new ideas and share your thoughts at this interactive workshop.
Innkeeper Panelists: Carol Beazley of the Beazley House Bed and Breakfast in Napa, Stephanie McCaffrey of the McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast in Twain Harte, Bruce Abney of El Morocco Inn in Desert Hot Springs
Moderator: John Spear of the Laurel Inn in San Francisco
  Working with Your Convention and Visitors Bureau or Local Tourism Agency
How can your local CVB or tourism agency help you? Are you maximizing all the marketing and promotions opportunities with your CVB? Do you know everything that your CVB can do for you? What do your membership dues do for you? As an innkeeper, what is the best way to work with your local CVB or tourism agency? The panelists will discuss how to utilize these opportunities to grow your business. They will also take questions from workshop attendees.
Panelists: Wendy Peterson of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, Tony Smithers of the Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Maggie Ivy of the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council
Moderator: Lynn Mohrfeld, CEO of the California Hotel and Lodging Association
10:30 - 11:45am CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
  The Proof is in the Placement: Search Engine Bootcamp
Do you know your top search phrases for your inn? Do you monitor where your site is listed in the Search Engines for those phrases? Ever wonder why some inns show up high in the free Local Map Listings? Or why others show up high organically (also for FREE) below the Map Listings? We will cover the differences between Local Business Listings (Map Listings) and Web site Search Engine Optimization (the listings directly below the Map) and why it is import to show up as near the top as possible for each. We will teach you how to identify the best top search phrases that apply to your inn. We will also briefly discuss the top Search Engine players, Google’s new Real Time Results and what can be expected with Google’s 2010 “
Caffeine” release.
Presented by Lisa Kolb of Acorn Internet Services
  Using the Latest Data and Trends to Run a Successful Inn
Learn how industry research and consumer trend reports relate directly to running your inn. The information you’ll hear at this session will give you knowledge and confidence to handle the challenges and opportunities ahead. Relevant findings from the 2009-2010 Industry Study of Innkeeping Operations and Finance, quarterly business health surveys done by PAII, consumer studies done jointly by PAII and TripAdvisor, and other valuable sources of information will be covered.
Presented by Jay Karen, CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International
Noon - 1:30pm LUNCH AND CABBI UPDATE MEETING
President and CEO of CH&LA Lynn Mohrfeld will provide an update on
membership programs and services, including marketing opportunities available to all CABBI members. In addition, a presentation will be made
by the “InnSpiring Ideas” winners. Please join us for this innkeepers-only event!
1:45 - 3:00pm CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
  Advanced Techniques for Email Marketing
Email marketing users – this is your chance to get the latest and greatest best practices for email marketing. Plus get tips on other features of Constant Contact that will help you save time and make your email marketing campaigns more effective. Learn how to determine your email marketing success and how to improve it.
Presented by Stu Carty of Constant Contact
  Online Tools to Knock Your Socks Off
Get the scoop on a collection of online tools that will provide fascinating insights into your website’s usability and Internet presence. The tools provide analysis that is authoritative, accurate and – believe it or not – free! You will learn how to setup, implement, and effectively analyze the results of these tools during this lively and informative guided tour.
Presented by Trent Blizzard of Blizzard Internet Marketing
  Schedule subject to change