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                                                                                                        November 2008

In This Issue
Marketing Ideas
Great Tips of the Month
Weddings/ Extra City Feature
Recipe of the Month
CONGRATULATIONS
Harrington House Bed & Breakfast , Holmes Beach FL
Voted BEST ON THE BEACH
2008!
by BedandBreakfast.com
 
Innkeeper: Patti Davis
(941)778-5444
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The Pine Lodge Bed and Breakfast is proud and honored to be the First Florida Green Lodging in Levy County and the 300th designated property in Florida.   
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HUMOR
 
  YOU MIGHT BE AN INNKEEPER.....  
 
IF, PICTURES OF YOUR BEDROOMS ARE DISPLAYED ON THE INTERNET (and there are no "X" in your domain name) 
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New Brochures
are available for our member inns!
 To request new brochures to be delivered to your door,
 
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Advertising Opportunities are  AVAILABLE on our Website and our Monthly Newsletter
Click here
for more information! ____________________  
 
Gift Certificates

Member  Inns receive 100% of value of all Gift Certificates!
 
Now Redeemable at:
 
 FBBI
106 S. 4th Avenue
Wauchula, FL  33873
 
 * Gift Certificates must be mailed in 30 days from date of receipt and prior to their expiration date. 
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Quick Links
 
 
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New Recipes Section
  
 
As part of our new website bonus, member inns can upload recipes onto our Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns Association official website.  If you have a recipe, it is a great opportunity to share with others, while being recognized for your originality and ingenuity.  Remember, when you update your individual listing, add a few recipes! 
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Here are the survey results provided by Pamelia Lanier taken at our FBBI Conference by conference attendees:


FLORIDA -2008
Age of Guest      
             Florida / Nat'lAve:

Age 20-30
               3.5%        6.07%

Age 31-40
            14.5%        18.46%

Age 41-55
            70.5%         59.0%

Age 55+
            11.5%         15.47%



The Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns Marketing Suggestions:

1. Local Public Radio:
Give away a room in conjunction with a Fundraiser

2. Invite volunteers of Chamber/Visitors Bureau for Tea/Scones Every 3- 4
months.

3. Complimentary Bikes/Beach Chairs/Towels.


4. Green Specials: Green Gas Credit, Complimentary Gourmet & Organic

Breakfast.

Pamela Lanier's Bed & Breakfasts Inns & Guesthouses International
_______________________
Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns
106 South 4th Avenue
Wauchula, Florida  33873
www.florida-inns.com
[email protected]
Patricia Dewiler, President


 
 
Dear FBBI Members,
 
Seasonal Marketing Ideas...Just Do It!

'Tis the season to create opportunities for exposure for your B&B Inn! Have you thought about being a drop off location for "Toys for Tots" or other holiday events such as canned food drives, book drives, etc? Can you put together and host a unique holiday event... Maybe a "Santa Baby" party as girlfriend's afternoon out, with tea, champagne, cookies and holiday scrapbooking? Maybe you can teach holiday decorating, party etiquette, baking or candy-making classes... Anything that you can do with a holiday flavor will help you garner attention with your local, regional and possibly even national media. Be certain to let your local Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and other local marketing organizations know what you are doing. In fact, have you thought of hosting a "Hospitality Industry Social" at your Inn? This will get your local industry professionals to see your property and allow them to recommend you! Happy Holiday Marketing!

Best Regards,
 
Pattie Detwiler
President, Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns
 
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Tip
SECTION





TIPS LEARNED FROM FBBI CONFERENCE 2008


Several speakers and experts in hospitality warned attendees at our FBBI Conference to resist the tempataion to lower prices during challenging times and lowered occupancy situations. 

The conclusion of experience and trials suggest that you will likely have several impacts other than your goal of increasing bottom line results.  Specific results can include:

1) Major negative impact on the brand identity, quality perception and value equation for your property that often is difficult to reverse after the crisis.

 2) Price warfare in your region with other Inns that simply loses revenue for everyone and doesn't change total consumer occupancy in the end.

 3) Level or even declines in bottom line profit but often with significant increase in cost and work due to increased short term occupancy with less total revenue.

 Instead, experts suggest you attempt to add value by bundling benefits, creating special activities, providing intriquing packages and marketing to past guests via emails, blogs or updates on local events of interest.  In short, attempt to create, maintain or enhance value, positioning and reasons for guests to return or try your product. 

Shared by Byron McCutchen, Board Member
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  I was able to attend a workshop with Mary Hughes on Weddings.  From her I learned different ways to increase revenue on weddings, vow renewals, and anniversaries by offering packages at our property to get them to return year after year.  Because we have a fine dining restaurant the packages can not only include an overnight stay and special ceremonies, but also the possibility of dinner in the package.  We could also include surrounding tourist attractions in our packages.  This workshop really helped my think more broadly about our options.

Shared by Mona, Chalet Suzanne

 
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 Green'Inn Tip of the Month
 
Are you located within walking distance to points of interest, shopping, restaurants or other attractions? If so, why not consider investing in some alternative wheels... Maybe a tandem bicycle, beach cruiser bikes or even a couple of scooters to loan out to your guests. You will reduce their use of gas and give guests an entirely new way to experience your community... Decorate the bikes with your logo and a "green" slogan that you come up with and promote it on your web site and to your local media outlets.
 
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Cleaning Tip of the Month
 
KEEP COLORS BRIGHT ON YOUR TOWELS AND LINENS
 
  • Prerinse items in a solution of distilled white vinegar and cold water, using 2/3 cup vinegar for each gallon of water. 
  •  Let items soak for up to 15 minutes,
  •  then wash and dry. 
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wedding 
WEDDINGS 

New Wedding Section of www.florida-inns.com FBBI is delighted to announce that we are launching a special weddings page on our new website. Since more than 5000 people per month search for "Florida weddings" on search engines like Google, our new page will be designed to immediately put you in front of soon-to-be brides and grooms with information about your romantic bed and breakfast Inn.

Participation on the special FBBI Weddings page will be available on December 1, 2008, at an annual cost of $100. You will receive a photo, 400 character description that you write and a link to your own web site. In order to reserve your space on this special weddings page click here to contact the FBBI Office.  Please add contact information and a representative will contact you to begin the process.

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EXTRA CITY FEATURE

Another exciting feature available with our new website is the Extra City Feature.  This is a way to help people better find your Bed and Breakfast Inn even if you are just outside a major city.  The cost of this feature is $25 a year per city listed, having the city you are located in free.  The cities you choose, however, must be within 25 miles of your zip code.  If you are located in St. Augustine, you won't be able to list Amelia Island as a city.  However, if you are in Amelia Island, a city you may choose would be Fernandina Beach.  Likewise if you are located in Orange Park, you may list Jacksonville as a city. You will be able to add extra Cities to your listing on December 1, 2008.   If you are interested in more information, please email requests to [email protected].


Recipe of the Month 

Spicy Cranberry Apple Cider
                                                apple cider
3 Whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole allspice
4 cups apple cider
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 cups cranberry juice
 
Additional cinnamon sticks, optional
 
Place first three ingredients in a double thickness of cheese-cloth. Bring up corners of cloth and tie with a string to form a bag.  Place with cider in a large saucepan. (Or place loose spices in saucepan and strain before serving.)
 
Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.  Stir in sugar and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cranberry juice and heat to simmering temperature.  Serve hot in mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired.  Yield 8-10 servings.

 

Breast Cancer Alert  

 Mammogram with Ultrasound Improved Detection of Cancers  



Contact Info
 
Pattie Detwiler 
President FBBI
 
Alisa Bennett
Publicist FBBI
 
Christina Detwiler
Website, Updating, Newsletter
 
For all other contact Information CLICK HERE