The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia offers an Aspiring Inn Keeper’s workshop for those who are interested in pursuing inn keeping as a future occupation.

The seminar is an introduction to innkeeping for a person or a couple/partners who are considering the purchase, building or converting an existing residence into a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

The seminar “Keys to Successful Inn Keeping” gives each participant the tools to answer the all important question “is inn keeping for me?”

Instructors are current and past innkeepers, all having years of experience and knowledge of the current industry trends. This course will give you valuable information regarding the purchase and set-up of a bed and breakfast property as well as invaluable information regarding the day to day operation of an inn.

Cost $175.00 single, $275.00 for couples/partners. $100 additional for third person partner.   If you have questions about the workshop, please call 434-293-4095 for further information and to discuss your needs with one of the instructors.

Next Workshop Will be Held:

September 28 & 29 , 2008

All workshops will be held at the Glenmore Country Club in Keswick, VA

 

Topics Include:

 

DAY 1:

Life Style Concepts

• Defining the B&B Experience from the owners perspective

• Life Style Changes…..Do You Have What It Takes

• Growing Trends in the Industry what do they mean for the new owner?

• Will inn keeping meet your income requirement

Industry Trends

• Who Chooses to Stay in a B&B?

• Industry Trends

• Inn Style...Important questions regarding choice of property

• Your Perfect Inn

• Prerequisites for a Successful Purchase

• How to Look for an Inn to Purchase

• General Valuation Methods

Understanding Government Issues

• Zoning and Health Department

• Tax Implications and Business Model

• Business Planning, Accounting and Budget

• Insurance

12:00 Lunch

 

Designing the Property

• Selecting Market and Location

• Do You Buy, Build or Remodel?

• Food Service

• Amenities

• Design and Daily Operations

Professionalism

• Record keeping

• Policies

• Pricing

• Computerized Reservation and online systems

• Confirmations

• Credit Card Use

Marketing

• Promotional Materials

• Internet Marketing

• B & B Directories and Other On line Strategies

 

DAY 2:

 

The Real Thing: Round Table Discussions at a BBAV Member Inn: Inn Tour 9 -12:30

Daily Operations

• Staffing, Room Set Up, Pricing and Breakfast Service

• Inspections and Guest Expectations

• How to make the Guest Happy and Safe

• Beyond the Basics…Hospitality

• The Importance of being In Tune with your Guests

• Marketing Hints, and Selling more from your Inn

• Specials, Packages, Gift Shop, Special Events

• Amenity Suppliers and other necessities

Comments from a recent class:
 
"This class really helped me understand just what I needed to think about before I jumped right in!  I would have made so many mistakes, from the wrong place to the wrong towels! The class was well organized, and presented.  The innkeepers were so informative and encouraging. The handouts have great information and I took so many notes that I feel so confident now that I have made the right choice.  I especially like the fact that as I continue with this idea I have a group of people who I can call on the phone and ask a question of if I need to."
 
"Boy did we learn a lot....I have owned my own business for years, but not all of that transfers to inn keeping.  I was very impressed with the information on managing and maintaining a bed and breakfast, especially what to consider as we incorporate our ideas into the house.  Thanks, I think you probably saved us money, and cost us money because we now know what the guests are looking for."

Instructors:

This seminar will be lead by Norm and Becky Lindway; owners of The Aspiring Innkeeper Consultants and InnKeeping Instruction. Norm and Becky were owners of the highly successful Inn at Monticello in Charlottesville, VA for over 10 years.

Becky served as President of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia for three years, and has been a board member for five years. For many years they were the people who answered the BBAV phone and served as the first voice of Hospitality for the Association. Most recently they served as the Executive Directors of the association for the past few years, prior to becoming innkeeping consultants.

Several current BBAV Member innkeepers will also share their expertise at this seminar. They are the experts in the field and the instructors are from large and small inns, city and country properties, each will give the participants valuable information about just how they run their own individual inn.

All materials and lunch each day will be provided.

An Interesting Article
We have permission to share this article from the office of Main Street Virginia. It deals with the positive aspects of opening a B & B and restoration. So if you are looking for some support for a zoning hearing, this may be of some help to you. Go Here for more information.

Need help with your B & B Business Plan?  Click here for a great resource.

Need help with B & B planning? Curious about possible financials?
Go here for an EXCEL spreadsheet which you can use to plug in some test numbers.

Looking for a place where you can chat with other innkeepers, ask questions, give some advice, or just vent a little. Visit this new "Blorum" for innkeepers. You will find it very helpful. Just go to: www.innspiring.com

Aspirings are invited to become Associate Members
in BBAV. This entitles them to receive our quarterly newsletter and may participate at regional meetings of their choice, assistance from the BBAV office, and access to our MEMBERS ONLY site.

Associate Membership is $100. If you join BBAV as a member within the year of purchasing your ASPIRING INNKEEPER membership, your $100 regular BBAV membership application fee is waived.

Click here for the .pdf Aspiring Innkeeper Membership Form.