...a break from the routine. It's the time of year for...innkeepers conferences! I'm at the fabulous Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas with innkeepers from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and of course AR. (Don't worry, I left the inn in Carol's capable hands for the three days I'll be gone.) What a gorgeous drive we had this morning through the Ozarks; I have to come back here in the autumn. Crescent Hotel
This afternoon I learned lots of stuff about better ways to communicate with you, my dear guests. Tomorrow and Wednesday I'll be learning some new ways to make the Tea Rose Inn a more comfortable place with more of the little amenities b&bers love. My goal, always, is for my guests to want to return again and again. I've made some wonderful friends that way.
And some of the changes I've implemented over the years have come from guests' suggestions. Even after 12 years of innkeeping, I'm always open to new ideas or better ways of doing things.
But back to today's seminar. I'm trying to absorb all the changes with Facebook, Twitter, and Google tools. It can be a bit overwhelming. Innkeepers are jacks-of-all-trades, but I think changing communication technology challenges more of us than anything else.
It's not all work, of course. I had a wonderful dinner tonight in a restaurant loaded with local charm. Here, the hyacinths and daffodils have already pushed their leaves up three inches. As soon as I get home I want to clear away the winter muck and see if my spring bulbs have begun to show themselves yet. I'm so ready for color!
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Springtime in Austin
I cruised into Austin on Sunday in a light rain, just about sundown, bound for the innkeeping conference. That first night I stayed at a friend's house whose gorgeous gardens and landscape make me sigh with envy. (Did I mention she's retired? Someday my "grounds" will look as good as hers....) We had dinner at one of my favorite Austin restaurants, East Side Cafe. Over the course of the next three days and nights I got to sample a couple more of my old favorite haunts, plus a new one, in the company of old friends.
But most of my time was spent at the annual innkeeping conference sponsored by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII). I didn't meet a single other person there from Kansas, so I hope I represented our fair state well!
Let's see, I 
learned how to make a perfect omelet in 60 seconds from a very entertaining demonstrator, and I tried out the technique yesterday at the TRI on a guest. That's the omelet assembly line at left--we had to make our own lunches! I got some great ideas and resources for using more local and regional foods at the inn. (Notice how I go right to the "food news"?) I spent most of a day with other officers of state associations, sharing, comparing, and planning. I learned some tips about blogging and took in some food for thought about customer service. The four-day conference was a great experience that will be helpful to me as an innkeeper and as the new president of our state association.
learned how to make a perfect omelet in 60 seconds from a very entertaining demonstrator, and I tried out the technique yesterday at the TRI on a guest. That's the omelet assembly line at left--we had to make our own lunches! I got some great ideas and resources for using more local and regional foods at the inn. (Notice how I go right to the "food news"?) I spent most of a day with other officers of state associations, sharing, comparing, and planning. I learned some tips about blogging and took in some food for thought about customer service. The four-day conference was a great experience that will be helpful to me as an innkeeper and as the new president of our state association.As I packed up my car to leave Austin on a perfect spring afternoon, I had one last mission. Just as I'd hoped, the hotel concierge confirmed to me that Amy's Ice Cream was still in its old location, a shopping center just next door. (You knew this story would end with good food, didn't you?) Alas, they didn't have my favorite flavor on hand that day, the very elusive hazelnut ice cream. I settled for an order of half Kaluha and half dark chocolate. Nirvana. I sailed up I-35 just ahead of rush hour traffic, listening to KGSR on the radio. Can't wait to go back and do it all again!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Conferences are calling
In just two days I will leave for Austin, TX to attend the PAII conference. That's the Professional Association of Innkeepers International. As vice president and president-elect of the Kansas Bed & Breakfast Association, I'll be representing the KBBA at my first national (er, international) conference. There will be four full days of information, so my head will be much bigger when I leave for home! I'm very excited about the conference, and about spending some time in Austin.
You see, before I pulled up stakes and moved to Hays to begin a new bed and breakfast, I spent 18 years living in Austin. I was one of those many people who went there to attend the University of Texas and then decided to stay. So, although I won't have a lot of free time while I'm there, I'll have a few evenings to catch up with old friends. Even Baxter gets to make the trip. I'm hoping it will be warm enough for a walk around Town Lake, something I used to enjoy doing with friends.
The TRI won't be shuttered while I'm away. Thanks to a capable and reliable group of helpers, visitors will still come and go, and next weekend's bridal tea will, I'm sure, be a lovely affair.
After Austin, I should have about 1-1/2 days at home to regroup and repack. Then it's off to Abilene, KS for two days and two nights. As KBBA's v.p., I'm in charge of the state innkeepers conference. This year we're having a 1-day "mini conference" in Abilene on Monday, March 15. Anyone who is considering becoming an innkeeper, or who is brand new to the profession will want to be in Abilene on March 14 for the Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop. Both events are very affordable and essential for anyone who's serious about innkeeping! Details and registration forms are at http://www.kbba.com/events.php.
I haven't spent much time in Abilene, but what I've experienced there I like. There's a whole lot packed into that little town. (Check it out at http://www.abilenekansas.org.) Our conference will be held at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is in a converted 1920's train depot. It's a fantastic building, and the perfect space for the KBBA conference. The Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop will be hosted by Adrian and Jay Potter at their equally but differently fabulous Abilene's Victorian Inn (http://abilenesvictorianinn.com)
These days of preparations are rather stressful, but I know that when the conferences are over I will return to the TRI refreshed, rejuvenated, and rededicated to taking care of my guests in the best ways I can. What could be better than that?
You see, before I pulled up stakes and moved to Hays to begin a new bed and breakfast, I spent 18 years living in Austin. I was one of those many people who went there to attend the University of Texas and then decided to stay. So, although I won't have a lot of free time while I'm there, I'll have a few evenings to catch up with old friends. Even Baxter gets to make the trip. I'm hoping it will be warm enough for a walk around Town Lake, something I used to enjoy doing with friends.
The TRI won't be shuttered while I'm away. Thanks to a capable and reliable group of helpers, visitors will still come and go, and next weekend's bridal tea will, I'm sure, be a lovely affair.
After Austin, I should have about 1-1/2 days at home to regroup and repack. Then it's off to Abilene, KS for two days and two nights. As KBBA's v.p., I'm in charge of the state innkeepers conference. This year we're having a 1-day "mini conference" in Abilene on Monday, March 15. Anyone who is considering becoming an innkeeper, or who is brand new to the profession will want to be in Abilene on March 14 for the Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop. Both events are very affordable and essential for anyone who's serious about innkeeping! Details and registration forms are at http://www.kbba.com/events.php.
I haven't spent much time in Abilene, but what I've experienced there I like. There's a whole lot packed into that little town. (Check it out at http://www.abilenekansas.org.) Our conference will be held at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is in a converted 1920's train depot. It's a fantastic building, and the perfect space for the KBBA conference. The Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop will be hosted by Adrian and Jay Potter at their equally but differently fabulous Abilene's Victorian Inn (http://abilenesvictorianinn.com)
These days of preparations are rather stressful, but I know that when the conferences are over I will return to the TRI refreshed, rejuvenated, and rededicated to taking care of my guests in the best ways I can. What could be better than that?
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