Winner for November is
.....(drum roll).....
Night Swann Intracoastal B&B
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.
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DON'T FORGET...
You can add Specials and Events to the Florida Bed & Breakfast Inn Website for your area. Just go to Member Login and choose the Specials and Event option.
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You might be an Innkeeper...
If your best washcloths have been used as makeup removers, car wash cloths, shoe shiners, and to clean the dog's feet.
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Clean'Inn Tip of the Month
Tea-Tree Oil...Mix a few drops of the oil in a spray bottle filled with 2 cups water and 2 tblsps dishwashing liquid to create an effective general-purpose cleaner. (Handle cautiously, and consult a doctor before using if you are pregnant.)
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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!
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Member Inns receive 100% of value of all Gift Certificates!
Now Redeemable at:
* Gift Certificates must be mailed in 30 days from date of receipt and within 30 days of their expiration date.
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Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns
106 South 4th Avenue
Wauchula, Florida 33873
www.florida-inns.com
admin@florida-inns.com
Patricia Detwiler, President
863.767.8989 |
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Dear Members,
It's so exciting to see what's happening in the Bed and Breakfast Industry. I just got back from the Mid Atlantic Conference in Hot Springs, VA, where several states joined together for a conference. I met with industry leaders sharing common concerns and finding out what things are coming our way in the future.
I know that we need to work together to accomplish mutual goals for all of us to be successful. There are so many facets of our industry that are innovative and always looking forward to see what our potential needs are and finding ways to meet those needs and educate us on the new technology and trends. Kudos to Jay Karen of PAII, Jeff & James at Resnexus, Mary White at BNBFinder and Peter & Rick of the B&B Team for their dedication to this industry and the energy and creativity that comes along with being forward thinkers in their respective fields.
Some thoughts that stand out in my mind that warrant sharing:
Be memorable and make connections. Provide a positive emotion for your guests. The technology side of the inn-keeping business is to get the guest to your inn. The personalization side is to keep them coming back. The guests want to be "center stage". Today's guest wants a more total experience.
Some were saying that "Trip Advisor" has reached its peak. There is suspicion on the review sites and consumers don't trust them as much as social networking, which is today's "word of mouth". The public is seeking verification through social networking and sharing information with people they know. What we now call "reputation management". Word of mouth is the most important marketing tool today.
Another thought circulating was "ethical accountability". Guest will hold you accountable to what you promise them.
Technology accelerates the pace of change. Coming to our industry in the next few months is seamless two-way global distribution. In simple terms, this means that if you want to be part of global distribution (expedia.com, orbitz.com, hotels.com, etc), we will be able to use our current central reservation systems, and with a link through "resnexus" to accomplish this at an affordable price.
Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns association is the front runner for you in this industry. Keeping up with what's new, what's coming, trends, statistics, education and "how to" logistics.
The FBBI Conference of 2010 is shaping up to be the best yet. "The Great Recovery" Getting Results in Turbulent Times. That's our mantra this year. We will be hosting our Conference and the FBBI Annual Meeting for 2010 at Club Continental in Jacksonville, Florida from September 19th & 22nd . This past year has been trying for many Inns and many are struggling in this economy. FBBI wants to help bring more guests to your Inn. Our next Board meeting is January 24 & 25, 2010 at Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales, Florida. If there is anything you would like to be discussed, please let me know.
Happy New Year
Patricia Detwiler, President - FBBI |
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I'm really looking forward to 2010 and the improved economy many people are predicting. Smith Travel Research says that they are expecting "a surge in demand for luxury in the coming year," and "the way to go is real luxury at a real price," as more and more travelers need a getaway and a wonderful time together is seen as an "affordable" luxury. What's important remains the same: true hospitality.
According to the New York Times, 2010 travel is predicted by travel experts to make a "modest recovery," yeah!
Make 2010 the best year yet and set realistic goals. Think fresh and be realistic.
Brew a delectable cup of coffee or fresh tea, sit down and accumulate a list of all small businesses in your area, including hospitals, clinics, restaurants, funeral parlors, amusement parks, and offer a special to each business. Create attractive packages that will satisfy and attract bed and breakfast travelers searching to maximize their stay.
Make your bed and breakfast web presence self-evident, very obvious to your bed and breakfast consumer and very informative. Use of a straight forward layout, with organized pull down menus, several clear pictures and attractive colors to the eye, your guest can easily explore the amenities and services your inn has to offer. The presentation of your site, truly does affect your reservations. I was recently looking at a website that did not mention any amenities at all. No mention of telephone, television, internet access, no details at all.
As an innkeeper, cooking is a large commitment, requiring a significant amount of time. Spend more time with your guests at the breakfast table, rather than behind the kitchen doors, by preparing your tasty breakfast meals the night before!
Advertise Free. Make friends all around the world & display your gorgeous bed & breakfast to millions. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Myspace are all wonderful ways to get your Inn's name out there and stay connected with countless guests and fellow innkeepers. Take advantage of the social networking phenomena and save.
(Excerpts from Pamela Lanier) |
Recipe of the Month -Banana Crumb Muffins
Ingredients:
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar |
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter |
Directions:
| 1. |
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers. |
| 2. |
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. |
| 3. |
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins. |
| 4. |
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. |
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