Question for our next issue:

Recent events have made it clear that travelers (especially past guests) within driving distance of your region should be a key marketing priority. Please comment on what you've tried, and what has worked. We'll share your comments in our next issue.

Email your responses to InnkeeperNews@BedandBreakfast.com. If we publish your comments in the Innkeeper News, we'll thank you with a $25 credit in our Featured Properties Auction program!

We Asked: How have you networked with area inns, local corporations and educational institutions to increase publicity and reservations?

You Replied:

"A few years ago, we called the other local B&Bs and asked if they'd like to work together. We now have monthly meetings, do referrals, and find out when a scam or a problem guest is on the loose, host socials where we can let our hair down. We also have a group Web site, a rack card, and attend many chamber and CVB events jointly. We are planning our first annual Christmas tour for this December. This has been a great way for us to defray the high cost of advertising. We have also become more creative about making people aware of our inn's presence. As a result, our overall occupancy has currently is running a steady 10-20% more than last year; our January 2001 occupancy was 50% greater than last year. We have built more corporate relationships, and have also done a nice bit of business with the local universities. We modified our Murder Mystery weekend package to suit a local high school outing of 100 students; it's a scavenger hunt that incorporates some of the city's historic sites and coordinated with the kids' studies. We got major press coverage and are now offering it as a stand-alone corporate team building exercise as well as an overnight package."
Daniel & Monica R. Edwards, Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast, Durham, NC

"We are located in a town of 12,000, in central Illinois. Corporate business constitutes about 66% of our guests. We have cultivated this business by identifying and approaching the person who makes reservations for most non-local company personnel as well as suppliers, consultants and customers. Once the key individuals are identified at each local company, we invite them for lunch and an inn tour. These company representatives see our clean, well equipped, luxurious facility with such amenities as in-room phones, data ports, cable television, private baths, flexible breakfast serving times and menus, plus caring, personal service. We also present them with gift certificates for two-night stays. Once or twice a year we give especially prolific providers gift certificates to high quality restaurants within a 30-mile radius, with amazing results. We have also made similar overtures to the local hospital, doctors' clinics, stock brokers, insurance agents, real estate agents, CPAs, funeral directors, churches, bridal shops, golf courses, entertainment venues, the school district, various county and city offices and a host of other businesses and service clubs. We offer favorable rates to long-term corporate guests, and allow their companies to cover our overhead. These corporate folks are usually out of the door by 8:00 am and do not return until 5 pm or later. We are enjoying being busy and making new friends from all over the world."
Myrna & Joe Hauser, Market Street Inn, Taylorville, Illinois

"Networking with local business and organizations has become a major part of our advertising budget. We are members of the local chamber of commerce, leadership councils, and art organizations. Each of these groups holds monthly business card swap/receptions each month for their members. We make sure that we host at least one for each group every year. We also hold receptions for the convention and visitors bureau staff members. Showing people our inn is well worth the work and expense.
Robbie Bell, The Eighteenth Street Inn, Fort Lauderdale, FL

"Aloha! The licensed B&Bs of West Maui are now meeting bi-weekly, and plan to form the West Maui B&B Association. Eventually, we'll establish minimum standards and hire an independent inspector to check each property. We want to ensure potential guests that all association members have clean, comfortable, and safe B&Bs. We are talking about a common Web site as well, for on-line availability/bookings. Networking has been great for us during slow times. As a united, cohesive unit, we will also have more impact with the Maui County Council, which is vital, considering the new legislation they are proposing."
Penny Weigel, Penny's Place in Paradise, Lahaina, Maui, HI

"All thirty bed and breakfasts and inns are listed on an availability report. Once a week, each B&B owner is responsible for calling in his/her availability for the upcoming thirty days. The person tabulating the weekly report gives it to the Chamber of Commerce, the Town Information Booth, and the innkeepers. This way everyone knows who has empty rooms and can make referrals. Not all owners remember to call in every week, but those that do are sure to get referrals. It is a great source of guests for participating properties."
Susan Livingston, Harborside House, Marblehead, MA