When I have the time, I rarely have the money,
and when I have the money, I don't have the time. We are doing a better job of
setting aside funds for conferences now than previously, but flooding this year
forced us to dip into our savings just to keep the B&B in operation.
Reservations are picking up, and the conference fund should be viable once
again. Can't wait for the PAII conference 2004 in Rhode Island! Barring any
other disasters, we will be there! " Diane Reed, Biscuit Hill B&B, Canyon Lake,
TX
"Attending conferences is definitely worthwhile. We have been in business 12
years and still learn something every time we go. After so many years it is
easy to think you 'know it all.' but believe me, that isn't so. It is also
great to mingle with other innkeepers -- the new ones are so enthusiastic it
often rubs off on us old-timers." Barb Dewey Lake Manor B&B, Brooklyn, MI
"Having just returned from the CABBI conference in Santa Rosa, California, I
definitely feel it was worthwhile and practical. It's hard work and unrewarding
to be a 'lone wolf.' The practical and proven ideas I got from the conference
can and will pay for my time and conference registration fees. Why beat your
head against the wall trying to figure things out when you can get the
definitive answers from the pros." Jack Grimes, San Anselmo Inn, San Anselmo, CA
"Whether or not it pays to attend conferences may depend upon why you are
attending. If you simply want to network, I would suggest that your time is
better spent networking online or visiting B&B inns in your area or further
away. Staying at other B&B inns gives you the opportunity to gain
first-hand knowledge about your competition, and learn how industry colleagues
challenge the market.
"If you are an aspiring innkeeper, there are many helpful conferences and
seminars, including the Oates and Bredfeldt series, held nationwide throughout
the year. These invaluable seminars help you stay focused on the goal of
owning/operating a successful B&B inn. They are very experienced and can
give you some of the best advice about owning and running a B&B inn.
Traveling to conferences to meet with vendors can be a good idea, but I would
suggest that one trip is enough to learn how to get the best value for your
business.
"I believe that the U.S. Bed and Breakfast industry should be represented both
nationally and internationally, so standards can be brought to levels
consistent with guests' needs. Too many associations represent too few select
groups; we need clear-cut industry-wide representation, serving its members and
the industry as a whole. I would also like to see an awards program set up to
recognize those individual innkeepers and B&B inns that excel in this
industry, affording everyone an opportunity to attend an annual event that
would recognize our industry's hard work, and that would incorporate education
as well as business to business." Stephen & Deanna Tallon, The Inn at
Sunrise Point, Camden, ME
"We have not attended any conferences for a couple of years. The last one we
attended we gained the most, measured in knowledge and friendship, from
enjoying a cocktail or talking around the dinner table with other innkeepers.
We have been in business for 15 years. We have independently built, remodeled,
marketed and overall created our B&B from scratch so we're pretty well versed
in many areas. (I'm not saying we are perfect or know it all, in fact we still
get surprised.) As we talk to other innkeepers who have been around as long as
we have, we seem to share a stronger desire to have fun and enjoy our
friendships with our free time then to attend conferences. Maybe it's just
plain selfishness, but I would rather look at it as balance. We've learned that
there is more to life than business and time away from the inn is plainly well
earned playtime." Michael & Mary Ann Zenk, Pine River Ranch, Leavenworth, WA
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Biscuit Hill
B&B, Canyon Lake, TX
