updated logo

website banner

                                                                                        March 2009

In This Issue
Stay Positive!
Recommended Standards
Be the Prize
Recipe of the Month
WELCOME
 
New Allied Vendor Members:
 
 InnPayment
 
and
 
CupandPillow.com
www.cupandpillow.com
_______________
 
 HUMOR
 
  YOU MIGHT BE AN INNKEEPER.....  
 
 
If you make a belly-buster breakfast every day, but never eat it!

_________________
 

 
New Brochures
are available for our member inns!
 To request new brochures to be delivered to your door,
 
______________________
 
 
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  within 30 days  of  their expiration date. 
____________________
 
Quick Links
 
 
______________________
 
 
New Member Drive
 
If you know of any Inns in your area that are not members of FBBI, please let us know.  Our goal this year is to reach more Bed & Breakfast Inns to strengthen the Association and add value-added marketing and resources to all affiliated members.
 
_______________________
 
Don't forget to take advantage of the following Web Features:
 
  • Weddings Page
  • Extra Cities Feature
  • Specials
  • Events
  • Extra Photographs Feature
  • Recipes
  • Amenities

_______________________


Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns
106 South 4th Avenue
Wauchula, Florida  33873
www.florida-inns.com
[email protected]
Patricia Detwiler, President
 
                      
Dear FBBI Member,
 
There is so much talk of gloom and doom we hear through the media.  Sometimes it's good to take a deep breath and look at your own situation.  Everybody is not on the edge of losing everything.  All things are not lost and everybody is not in danger of losing their home.  

We need to think positively and be optimistic about what we can do to make sure we thrive in this economy.   I saw the downturn in my own reservations last year, not to mention expensive health issues that I hadn't planned on.  I wake up each day and look forward to what's going to happen that day.  I'm reminded that when we take one day at a time we can accomplish much and each day has cares of its own.  We don't' know what's going to happen tomorrow, but we can plan for it, which offers hopes and optimism to your future success.

 Be creative, think of interesting ways to attract new guests and repeat guests.  Reach out in your community and see where you can be of help.  Co-op Marketing with others, partner with restaurants, build up that local network and be seen by those in your area.  They will remember you when a potential guest is looking for accommodations.

With Spring just around the corner, the weather in Florida is perfect for being outdoors, traveling, gardening, having merchants in your area over for an afternoon social and discuss ways you can help each other.  I've done this very thing, organizing our local merchants into planning 12 months of events on our Main Street, utilizing our civic and church organizations to help,  we even found sponsors from local businesses for these events.  In this time of uncertainty, it's time to band together to keep your community successful and reach out to local residents, encourage each other, and you have the recipe to succeed.

  Whatever you do, don't cut back on your advertising or slash your prices.  We've talked in the past of adding value packages and consumers seem to like that.  They feel they are receiving a special present in addition to their stay.

Your FBBI Association is working hard for you to stay on top on what's happening in the Industry.  I've personally talked this month to the president of both the  New York B & B Association and British Columbia B & B Association about issues that are affecting us all.  We are all in this together and together we plan to succeed in our business.  We are a haven for the weary when we offer travelers a comforting place to stay.  Stay positive and make new friends in your community.

Pattie Detwiler, President
Recommended standards for the bedrooms Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns should follow
  
 
  *Primary bed with box springs and mattress in good condition - no sagging or broken sides of mattress frame    
   
 * Box springs should be covered either with a dust ruffle or fitted covering - should not be able to see the box springs
   
 *Headboards are required except in specific decorative situations
   
 *A minimum of 2 sheets; mattress pad (preferred fitted); 2 pillows; pillow cases; pillow protectors; blanket and a suitable coverlet shall be provided.  All must be clean and in good repair with no signs of excessive wear, fading, stains or fraying.
 
Preferred Amenities
 
 *Extra pillows with pillow cases & pillow protectors
   
  *Pillow Shams corresponding with coverlet
__________________________________________________ 
 
$25 Monthly Bonus
 
Winner for February - River Park Inn!      FBBI will credit $25 towards your next quarterly Dues.  Congratulations.

As a Member Inn you can simply reply to FBBI letting us know you have read the monthly newsletter. By doing this, we are entering your Inn into a monthly pool where you can win a $25 Credit towards your next dues payment. You can win monthly. A drawing from all Inns who reply that month, will be taken and announced in the next Newsletter. So, stay tuned and good luck to see who our next winner will be.!!

Click here to win!  Mention Contest in the subject and enter your Inn Name, contact name, and phone number.
 
Good Luck!


_______________________________________________
NOTICE
 
The Wauchula Florida Main Street Merchants are hosting a "Friday Night Live" event the third Friday of every month. We are considering giving a two night stay at FBBI Bed & Breakfast Inns every month. If you are interested in putting a package together, not to exceed $300, Main Street will purchase from you a Gift Certificate for the package and present as the Grand Prize of the evening. The first FBBI Bed and Breakfast to participate is The Cypress in Sarasota, Fl for the April Grand Prize.
 
You can email [email protected] if you are interested. This is a small contribution to helping all of us be recognized in our communities. If any of you have similar programs in your community that FBBI can participate in, please let me know.
Pattie Detwiler, President - FBBI
____________________________________________

Just a Reminder: 

 
Starting April 1, 2009, all invoices for quartley dues with be sent by email.  FBBI is on the fast track to implement "going green", promoting the environment and saving costs.  You may pay dues online at www.florida-inns.com or send payment to 106 South 4th Avenue Wauchula, FL 33873.
Apple Cake
 
4 cups apples, chopped fine              apple cake
� cup oil
� tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp black walnut flavoring
 
Topping
 
� cup brown sugar
3 tbs butter, softened
1 tbs flour
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine the apples, sugar and oil. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Pour into a 9" x 13" greased baking dish. Combine the topping ingredients, mixing well, and sprinkle over the top of the batter.  Bake 35-40 minutes.  When done baking, sprinkle with confectioners sugar or shipped cream.
Serves 8


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