Tuesday, June 2, 2015

PAII News You Can Use 6-2-2015




FTC Workshop on the "Sharing Economy" (aka Uber and Airbnb)
The lead article in our aptly-named publication (News You Can Use) addresses the not-so-aptly-named “Sharing Economy”.  (Really, what is being “shared” – it’s the usual exchange of $ for goods / services.)  As you wade thru the document, you’ll find the issues of licensing/insurance/taxation addressed on pages 6 & 7.  These tend to be the core of our (the innkeeping industry that is ‘playing by the rules’) concerns.  A brief excerpt:  In particular, the workshop will consider issues arising from the application of consumer protection principles and regulatory regimes to new sources of supply enabled by sharing economy platforms, as well as the role of competition policy in informing these issues. It also will assess competition enforcement issues that such platforms may raise, now or in the future.
Particularly relevant questions for your comment include:
·       How have sharing economy platforms affected competition, existing suppliers, innovation, and consumer choice in sectors in which they operate? How might they do so in the future?
·       How can state and local regulators meet legitimate regulatory goals (such as protecting consumers, public health and safety) while also promoting competition and innovation?

The final deadline for comments is August 4, 2015 and you’ll find the link to do so on page 7.

B&Bs battle to stay relevant in changing industry
Change is difficult – and “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got” is often wistful thinking.  The not-so-new reality for innkeepers is that more time is likely spent on the computer than in the kitchen or face-to-face with guests:
When Carol Matsumoto first started with Captain Grant's she used the computer for about 15 minutes a day. Now, she said, she has to spend close to four hours a day online.
Kay Lucas, Brigadoon B&B notes:  ”… the mobile people are the new walk-ins.  We used to have people just walk up to the door and now we have people driving on I-95 on their phones saying we’re on our way.”
And, a tourism exec noted “Look at B&Bs as a consumer (would),” he said. “If there is no easy way to reserve a room, they aren’t going to go there.”
So that, in a nutshell, is why we here at PAII share those ‘techie’ how-to articles with you, and arrange for those very informative webinars, presented by our industry partners!

Serving Gluten Free Guests
And, staying relevant in our changing industry includes being well-versed on the dietary preferences / requirements of B&B guests. PAII members - check out the webinar, archived on the PAII website.

Recipe of the week: Rosemary Feta Cheese Bread
Our thanks for this recipe goes to the Kathleen Janke, innkeeper at Gracehill B&B in Townsend TN – a PAII member since 2001!
‘Til next week
Kris Ullmer, PAII Executive Director

Photo Contests:
Deadline for entering has been extended to June 15, 2015: Details and Contest Rules for the PAII Member’s Recipe Contest For Our Summer Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/paii-recipe-contest-for-our-summer.html and PAII Photo Contests For Our Summer Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/photo-contests-for-our-summer.html

Conference Update:
This is the first of many "spotlights" we'd like to shine on our industry vendor partners who have committed to showing at the Trade Show in January. 

As Cloudbeds says on their website, they want to help their customers “spend less time with spreadsheets and more time with your guests.”

Don’t forget! FTC Workshop on the "Sharing Economy" (aka Uber and Airbnb)
The “Sharing” Economy: Issues Facing Platforms, Participants, and Regulators Workshop
There will be a live webcast on JUN 9, 20158:30AM–5:30PM, the FTC is taking comments relevant to the session. Innkeepers are advised to send in their comments so they can be addressed.

News You Can Use:
The subtle and overlooked benefits of Welcome baskets

Industry News:
B&Bs battle to stay relevant in changing industry

Lodging makes high-tech part of high-class

Social Media & SEO Changes Innkeepers Should be aware of:
Tweets Showcased in Google Mobile Searches

Featured Past PAII Webinar from our Archives:
Serving Gluten Free Guests

Innkeeping Recipes:
From the Bed and Breakfast Association of Tennessee: http://www.tennessee-inns.com/
Rosemary Feta Cheese Bread from the kitchen of Gracehill B&B

Upcoming Webinars:
Please register at http://www.innkeeping.org/?page=webinars (you will need to login to your PAII account)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The Innkeeper's Dilemma - to Renew or not Renew your Trip Advisor Business Listing

Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Reputation Management with a Channel Manager
Do you own the first page of Google Search results for your brand name? This webinar will focus on ways to manage your inn's online reputation. Learn how to use a channel manager to dominate the first page of Google for branded queries.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The 5 Greatest Marketing Challenges
In a recent survey, over 400 innkeepers let us know their biggest marketing challenges. We will present practical solutions for the top five: planning your social media strategy, tracking return on investment, working with OTAs, understanding SEO, and perfecting your photos.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Email + Social Media: Strategies & Tools
Let's be frank. It's tough being disciplined enough to send regular emails to your former guests and chat with them on social media. But studies consistently show that innkeepers who do enjoy more new guests and more repeat guests.This webinar will share with you some tools, strategies, and organizational tips you can use to hone your email and social marketing strategies.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Understanding the Guest Experience, presented by Liz Day
Ever wondered what your guests experience during the entire booking process? Join Liz Day from RezStream as she helps you market your property better by understanding how guests find your website on the search engines, what they want when they arrive on your website, and how to guide them through the booking process. Don’t forget about the analytical reporting review as she helps you understand what you need to look at and how to process that information.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Attracting Millennials to Your Bed and Breakfast
The younger generation frequents different online mediums and also looks for different things out of life and travel. Attracting younger people to your bed and breakfast is key to business growth and knowing what attracts them and where to find them is important to long term business stability and sustainability. Learn how to customize your marketing to appeal to the younger generation, where to find them and what drives and motivates them.                

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 2:00 PM EST (Promo Webinar)
RezStream Cloud, presented by Josh Wise
Thinking of upgrading your reservation software? See why many hoteliers are talking about the RezStream Cloud. No longer do you need to be in the office to see what’s happening at the property, simply login to your account on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Learn about the benefits of the property management software and the features that helps you run your business better.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
10 tax tips for B&Bs
We will discuss the tax treatment of Bed & Breakfasts and give 10 tax tips every B&B owner should know.  We will discuss entity selection, maximizing deductions, tax minimization strategies, and long-term planning for the B&B owner.

Don’t forget, We have set up an e-mail address questions@PAII.org for you to ask questions and make comments directly to your board. 


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