Why I'm Going to the 2009 Innkeeping Show

By Kathryn White, innkeeper, The Beechmont Inn Bed & Breakfast

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International, founded in 1988, is the innkeeping industry’s largest trade association and works to build a conscientious community of professional innkeepers, networking with each other throughout the world. The Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show, hosted by PAII, attracts the largest annual gathering of innkeepers in the world and is being held this year in Atlanta at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown from March 30 – April 2. For detailed information about the event, please visit http://www.innkeepingshow.com.

I hate the uncertainty of our economy. Business was up double digits in 2007; not so in 2008. It may be our second best year ever, but it hasn't met the goals I set for the year. I hate pinching pennies, but with fewer dollars coming in I have to be smarter about how I spend them.

So I figure now is the time to increase the marketing budget. How best to go about it? Well, for starters I made hotel reservations for Atlanta last week. I registered for the Innkeeping Show in August, and when business started its slowdown this fall I paused and thought about whether I should spend the money on travel and lodging expenses. But then I started to think about what I would miss and the thought of skipping the conference became a fleeting one.

First, I would miss seeing some great friends from all over the country. They're funny, generous, wonderful people that I care a great deal about. I hope they learn as much from me as I do them.

Networking Opportunities

Second, if I'm going to be smarter about spending those marketing dollars, I need the information I'll pick up at the workshops. I always come away from the conferences with a list of ideas to implement. One additional room-night per month pays the conference bill, and I do much better than that.

Workshops

Watching the speakers in person is one of the highlights for me. Their capacity for humor and balance is phenomenal, and I've learned to keep myself in shape so that I offer the best hospitality I can. It shows, I think, because we are blessed with lots and lots of repeat guests.

Featured Speakers

I took to heart much of what I heard about website design, and it's such a help that Eric, Scott, Allison, Lisa, Jeremy, John, George and others are so willing to lead workshops on the alphabet soup of the Internet. I'm reaching more people and more people are making reservations. It's that simple.

Vendor List

Third, I meet the vendors in person. I don't always buy products at the conference, but I do make decisions about what I'll buy when the time comes. It's also a great time to ask technical questions about software that I can't get to work! The vendors are good-natured and so willing to help.

I simply can't miss the conference. The brain cells are on overload when I walk out of the conference site for the last time. When I return to the inn I am charged up and ready to change or tweak some things that I know will produce results, which means more guests and more revenue.

Click here to register for the conference online. If you’d like to pay your registration in two installments, please call PAII (800-468-7244) to register. Your first payment in February will be $240 (members)/$340 (non-members) and your second payment will occur in March for the same amount.

We hope to see you in Atlanta for the largest gathering of innkeepers!

Join your fellow innkeepers for education, fun, and networking!

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