Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference & Trade Show
Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference & Trade Show
Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference & Trade Show
Presented by: The Midwest Association of Independent Inns
Exhibitors - Information and seperate registration can be found HERE.
Chestnut Mountain Resort
~On The Beautiful Mississippi River~
8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd
Galena, IL 61036
Chestnut Mountain Resort Website
More information on the Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar can be found HERE*
The conference will have a variety of topics pertinent to innkeeping today. Together with our industry experts, vendor partners, and other innkeepers, we will explore the issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience, grow our business, and be the best innkeeper we can as we balance it all!
$345.00 - General Attendee
$295.00 - Additional attendee of the same inn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE INFORMATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
Chestnut Mountain Resort - We are pleased to have chosen Chestnut Mountain Resort! Onsite amenities include on-site restaurants, sports bar, an indoor pool & sauna, free wi-fi, and many activities in the local area to enjoy!
Check back soon for more detailed information.
MIDWEST ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT INNS CONFERENCE CANCELLATION POLICY - Should a conflict arise, you may cancel your registration with full refund up to 7 business days prior to the conference or October 27th, 2023. After that date, refunds are not possible. You must put your cancellation in writing to the WBBA offices directly at info@wbba.org. In the event of an occurrence that is beyond the reasonable control of any attendee affected and occurs without fault, including things such as "Acts of God", public or private disaster, public health emergencies (COVID), a full refund of registration will be available.
PAYMENT OPTIONS - Payment accepted with completed registration via check or PayPal. If paying by check, send the address listed below after completing registration. You do not need to have a PayPal account if paying by credit card (via PayPal).
Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association
644 Hillcrest Drive
Suite #7
Waupaca, WI 54981
*COVID-19 Statement
The WBBA takes the health and safety of all the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees of our conference very seriously. Please be assured that during any in-person portion of our conference, any CDC and/or state mandates/guidelines at the time will be practiced.
Check back often as our page is continuously updated!
A Look Back to Our 2022 Conference!
Chestnut Mountain Resort
~On The Beautiful Mississippi River~
8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd
Galena, IL 61036
Chestnut Mountain Resort Website
More information on the Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar can be found HERE*
The conference will have a variety of topics pertinent to innkeeping today. Together with our industry experts, vendor partners, and other innkeepers, we will explore the issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience, grow our business, and be the best innkeeper we can as we balance it all!
Stay Tuned To This Page As Conference Details Are Finalized and Updated Here!
Midwest Independent Lodging Conference Highlights To Date
Technology, Trends, Tips & Topics You Need To Know
General Sessions and Work & Share Sessions
Starting Us Off With Fun, Networking, & Sharing in Galena:
Bed & Breakfast Inns of Galena - B&B Tours
What does every B&B owner love to do? Tour other B&B's of course! Not only do you get to see beautiful and varied architecture and interior design, but you always pick up a new idea or two to take back to your own inn.
Did you know that Galena claims status as "The B&B Capital of the Midwest"? Seven (7) members of the esteemed Bed & Breakfast Inns of Galena will open their homes for tour ~ join us! Touring these members of the Bed & Breakfast Inns of Galena offers a great opportunity to complement the conference with more networking, learning, sharing and fun.
You don’t want to miss it!
Jail Hill Inn
Cloran Mansion Bed & Breakfast
Farmers' Guest House
Goldmoor Inn
Hawk Valley Retreat & Cottages
Lamberson Guest House
The Steamboat House
Explore Galena!
We know how hard all of you have worked and that you deserve a much needed break! So we have created the first day of our conference to play, dine, shop, and explore all that Galena has to offer as being one of the most intact historic towns on the map today!
Click Here For A List Of Things To See & Do While Exploring Galena
Innkeeper to Innkeeper Sharing Sessions
Conference Speaker Session Highlights:
- "5 Simple Tools To Enhance Your Business" - ResNexus
- "Elevating the Simple ~ Bringing Memorable Breakfasts (including Breakfast Charcuterie Boards!) to the Guest Experience" - Breakfast Diva
Photo Credit: Breakfast Charcuterie Board - Breakfast Diva - "Staying Relevant After the COVID Travel Boom Is Over" - Q4Launch
- "For The Love Of Coffee" - Galena Roasters
- "Associations ~ Past, Present, Future" - A Panel Discussion
- "How B&B Owners Can Simplify Their Accounting Process and Improve Financial Accuracy" - Resolute Accounting
- "Exploring and Improving the Guest Journey" - ThinkReservations
- "Google Travel vs. Google Search - Do You Know Where Your Guests Are Finding You?" - Acorn Marketing
- "Successful Social Media Strategies for Innkeepers" - Bad Axe Enterprises
- "How To Get Your Blog To Bring In $25,000 In Bookings" - Logan Marketing
(see the current schedule of events and topic descriptions link below for more details)
And So Much More!
Click Here For The Conference Program - Complete With A Schedule Of Events & Topic Descriptions
Stay Tuned To This Page As Conference Details Are Finalized and Updated Here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE INFORMATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
1. Chestnut Mountain Resort - We are pleased to have chosen Chestnut Mountain Resort! Onsite amenities include on-site restaurants, sports bar, an indoor pool & sauna, free wi-fi, and many activities in the local area to enjoy!
Special Conference Room Rates at Chestnut Mountain Resort
One (1) adult - $99.00/night
Two (2) adults - $109.00/night
and so on
*Prices include breakfast (tax & gratuity not included)*
Room choices include:
Standard King Bed, Standard 2 Queen Beds, Premium Riverside (2 Queen Beds), Standard King Courtside, Deluxe Riverside, Deluxe Courtside, Standard Handicap Room, etc.
*Please make sure that when making your reservation online, update the reservation to the correct number of adults and/or children that will be staying in your room. The default selection is 2 adults. Then, select the type of room you wish to reserve from the list of rooms available for your chosen dates. First come, first serve!
Please use this booking link to book your stay at Chestnut Mountain Resort:
https://reservations.travelclick.com/97799?groupID=3557521
Room block closes on October 22nd! Make your reservations today!
2. Galena Area Bed & Breakfasts - If you would like to experience a lovely Galena B&B, please see this offering of exceptional properties to stay during the conference.
Please click the link below to see the list and contact information for each B&B option:
Galena Area B&Bs Overnight Options
*Please check with each inn for pricing and breakfast policies during conference time. When reserving your stay, please state that you are attending the Midwest Independent Lodging Conference & Trade Show. First come, first serve!
MIDWEST INDEPENDENT LODGING CONFERENCE CANCELLATION POLICY - Should a conflict arise, you may cancel your registration with full refund up to 7 business days prior to the conference or October 21st, 2022. After that date, refunds are not possible. You must put your cancellation in writing to the WBBA offices directly at info@wbba.org. In the event of an occurrence that is beyond the reasonable control of any attendee affected and occurs without fault, including things such as "Acts of God", public or private disaster, public health emergencies (COVID), a full refund of registration will be available.
PAYMENT OPTIONS - Payment accepted with completed registration via check or PayPal. If paying by check, send the address listed below after completing registration. You do not need to have a PayPal account if paying by credit card (via PayPal).
Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association
644 Hillcrest Drive
Suite #7
Waupaca, WI 54981
*COVID-19 Statement
The WBBA takes the health and safety of all the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees of our conference very seriously. Please be assured that during any in-person portion of our conference, any CDC and/or state mandates/guidelines at the time will be practiced.
Check back often as our page is continuously updated!
The Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association Thanks Our Sponsors
and ALL Our Vendor Partners for Their Support Of Our Annual Conference!
Check back often as this page is continuously updated!
Conference SPONSORS
Acorn Marketing
Mark Hall - Research and Development Team Manager
PO Box 1602
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
719-651-9464
markhall@acorn-is.com
https://acorn-is.com/
Acorn Marketing specializes in Bed and Breakfast website design, inn, and boutique hotel digital marketing. We also offer expert education, consulting, and new and aspiring owner services. We encourage you to see what our clients are saying!
Few presenters can say they've been in your shoes, but Mark Hall can! Mark's roots are in hospitality, which allows him to understand and meet your guests’ needs in every aspect of their online experience with your inn. His technical skills bring your online presence to new levels! Along with the entire Acorn Team, Mark's passion is all about the success of your business!
The WBBA thanks Acorn Marketing for providing conference notebooks for attendees.
Q4Launch
Kyle Collins
Brittani Durgin
1007 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 101
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-800-0833
Kyle.Collins@q4launch.com
Brittani.Durgin@q4Launch.com
https://q4launch.com/
Q4Launch is a trusted digital marketing partner with more than 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry. We are a data and revenue-driven company with a proven marketing strategy that has yielded a 95% success rate for our clients. We are focused on building long-term solutions that maximize market visibility and short-term execution of driving a significant increase to direct bookings.
ResNexus
Brad Keetch - Training Manager
Michael Denton - Red Carpet Professional
185 East 200 North
Salem, UT 84653
801-788-4613
bkeetch@resnexus.com
mdenton@resnexus.com
www.resnexus.com
ResNexus is an all-in-one property management software for any business operating a reservation system. With unmatched support and industry innovation, ResNexus captures more reservations and gives you extra freedom to run your business effectively.
The WBBA thanks ResNexus for sponsoring a lunch.
Resolute Accounting
Gabriel Goorsky - CPA
961 Grand Avenue
3rd Floor
Saint Paul, MN 55116
651-964-5161
gabriel@resoluteaccounting.com
https://resoluteaccounting.com/
Gabriel Goorsky, CPA is the founder of Resolute Accounting. His goal is to help independent lodging owners transform their properties into primary income sources and lower their tax liability through retirement and succession planning. Gabriel is a Certified Public Accountant with a focus on family-run operations and real estate holdings. He implements strategies for his clients that allow them to set retirement dates in stone without having to rely on the sale of their business to fund it.
ThinkReservations
Alfred Aday - Founder, CTO & Principal Engineer
Jade Moser - Onboarding Specialist
1700 7th Ave Ste 116 #173
Seattle, WA 98101
877-736-4195
alfred.aday@thinkreservations.com
www.thinkreservations.com
ThinkReservations provides a fast, professional, and comprehensive property management system for your independent lodging business. Integrated payment processing, outstanding customer support, and direct integrations with a wide range of respected partners make growing your business easy. As a team of industry professionals with real-world lodging experience, we understand your day-to-day operations and speak your language.
Alfred Aday is the CTO and Principal Engineer at ThinkReservations, a leading hospitality platform in the US that helps businesses increase revenue and save time. Alfred brings extensive technical experience as an Electrical and Computer Engineer who has worked at companies like Amazon.com, IBM, and Lockheed Martin. His ability to design and implement complex systems across a team allows ThinkReservations the ability to respond quickly to industry demands.
The WBBA thanks ThinkReservations for sponsoring a lunch.
Conference EXHIBITORS
Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP)
Erik Spence - Conference and Event Planner
573-470-3492
conference@alplodging.org
http://www.alplodging.org/
It is important to you to operate a successful business whether you are an innkeeper, independent lodging owner, a unique lodging property, a hospitality professional, an aspiring hospitality professional, or an allied partner that supports our industry with your products and services. Operating a unique lodging property requires a variety of skills and access to resources. Marketing, management, staffing, finance, technology, legal issues, cooking, decorating, cleaning, safety, customer service, keeping up with guest trends, and advocating for your industry - the list is practically endless.
The WBBA thanks ALP for sponsoring a coffee and refreshment break.
Bad Axe Enterprises - Digital Media Solutions
Carolyn Zick
Galena, IL
608-769-8645
carolyn@badaxeenterprises.com
www.badaxeenterprises.com
Bad Axe Enterprises specializes in helping small businesses and community groups get online and get social with their ideal clients. Bad Axe offers 1-on-1 social media training sessions on your schedule. Harness the power of social media to take your brand to the next level! Get your questions answered and form an actionable plan for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and more. Are you ready to master your online presence like a Bad Axe? Carolyn Zick is a social marketing expert and owner of Bad Axe Enterprises. Carolyn has over seven years of experience building successful digital marketing strategies for business owners across the country. She believes that you can be intentional and impactful with your online marketing while respecting your mental health.
Breakfast Diva
Susan Steffan
Galena, IL
815-281-2743
breakfastdiva@gmail.com
www.breakfastdiva.com
As the owner of a small lodging property you understand that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Maybe you currently own or are about to own a bed and breakfast, inn or boutique hotel and know that your breakfast service is not what it could be. Maybe you don’t know where to begin. Breakfast Diva, Susan Steffan, has the experience, skills and talent to equip aspiring and current innkeepers, managers and staff with the knowledge to take breakfast to the level of excellence your guests expect.
Chicago Mattress Company
Phil Silverberg - Sales & Marketing
600 N. Kilbourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
847-345-7400
phil@chimatco.com
www.chicagomattresscompany.com
Since 1996, Chicago Mattress Company has been building comfortable, high-quality mattresses using upcycled components. We are recognized as North America’s premier mattress upcycler, providing the most cost-effective, environmentally sustainable choice for the hospitality & retail markets. We use state-of-the-art health, safety, and environmental practices to produce durable, high-value mattresses, priced well below traditional brands. Chicago Mattress Co.-Sustainable. Affordable. Comfortable.
Frictionless Guest App
Diann Turner - Client Success Manager
103 Meade Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403
410-703-7710
dturner@frictionlessguest.com
https://frictionlessguest.com/
The Frictionless Guest app is a digital concierge that helps guests live like locals! It allows property owners to provide their guests with authentic information on “unique” local places to eat, play and shop and then some. The app saves time, reduces repeat questions, ensures guests have a phenomenal visit off property and even guarantees that staff members provide excellent recommendations to guests. The ease and convenience of the app creates fantastic memories that equate to return visits!
Galena Roasters
Earl Thompson - Roaster & Owner
206 N. Main St.
Galena, IL 61036
815-541-0941
earl@galenaroasters.com
www.galenaroasters.com
Galena Roasters is a Specialty Coffee roasting company in Galena, IL. Earl Thompson, roaster and owner, thoroughly enjoys the multiple steps of finding and choosing amazing green coffees then showcasing their delicious aromas and flavors by developing the best roast profile for each coffee. Earl finds coffee roasting to be the ultimate combination of science and craft. “By tasting each coffee multiple times throughout the process we can track and understand how altering the roast profile modulates the different flavors available in the coffee.” Having a unique coffee of incredible quality adds immensely to the experience of B and B guests. Galena Roasters offers variety of packaging options from 5 lb. bulk whole bean to single pot packs to small quantity in-room options. Custom labeling is available as well. Earl is happy to develop a coffee program that fits the needs of your business.
Get Heads In Beds
Randall Bangs - Founder & Managing Partner
521 Grant Street
Wausau, WI 54403
262-639-5500
stay@stewartinn.com
www.GetHeadsInBeds.com
Get Heads in Beds is a BnB marketing consulting firm that drives profitable growth. We work on a pay for performance basis so we only make money when our clients make money. Our focus is on pricing, OTA optimization, business analytics, branding, online marketing and operational excellence. We started out working with BnB's in Wisconsin but have expanded nationally. We have increased most of our clients revenue in excess of 50% but we have grown several in excess of $400,000 annually.
Gifford Video
Tom Gifford - Owner/Operator
11328 N. Bobolink Ln.
Mequon, WI 53092
262-957-4351
giffordvideopro@gmail.com
https://www.giffordvideo.com/
GOT VIDEO? Marketing videos for your website, social media, in-house loops, email blasts, etc. Promote amenities, special offers, seasonal highlights, area attractions, special interests. All inns and videos are different...work closely with award-winning videographer, Tom Gifford, to produce a custom video to showcase everything your inn offers. Combine video from drones, interviews, testimonials, steady cam, into a captivating presentation to keep your guests coming back. GET VIDEO!
Interim Innkeepers Network
Sue Kalis - Treasurer
Ramona Sonnenburg
4672 Palmer Pointe Rd.
Minnetrista, MN 55331
269-720-9448
suellen222@aol.com
https://www.interiminnkeepers.net/
Life Balance-a difficult thing for Innkeepers to attain. Let us assist in attaining that goal. Interim Innkeepers-we step in when owners need a break from their Inn. Experienced. Responsible. Professional.
Logan Marketing
Jeff Logan - Chief Marketing Officer
Emily Wachsman - Chief Executive Officer
9509 North Town Drive
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
360-808-7452
accounting@loganmarketing.com
www.loganmarketing.com
Logan Marketing has over 30 years of experience designing websites and building a successful online presence for the hospitality industry. We are experts in internet marketing, implementing a broad range of products to help you achieve success.
Midwest Association of Independent Inns
Kerri Thiel
644 Hillcrest Drive, Suite #7
Waupaca, WI 54981
715-942-8180
kerri@wbba.org
Stop by the Midwest Association of Independent Inns exhibitor table to learn more about the concept of this exciting new Association, give feedback and ask questions. The strength of any association is its members.
Select Registry
Darlene Blankenship - Director of Membership
18 Ruffed Grouse Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
828-360-0313
darlene@selectregistry.com
https://selectregistry.com/
Select Registry has been trusted by travelers and serving innkeepers for over 50 years. Membership serves as a seal of approval in the independent lodging industry. It tells travelers that your property is part of a curated collection of exceptional and unique inns, offering authentic experiences, local connections, and people who are genuinely honored to take great care of them. Benefits include marketing, commission free direct bookings, a guest loyalty program, networking & more.
Urbal Tea
Nick Nowaczyk - Founder
Lisa Nowaczyk - Ambassador
3060 S. 13th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215
414-231-3970
urbalhealth@gmail.com
https://www.urbalteaco.com/
Dried herbals, tea and coffee company. We create small batches of medicinal herbal teas. Also, a purveyor of specialty teas and coffees.
1Concier
Carrie Parsons - Account Executive
10839 Cambria Ct
Huntley IL, 60142
847-528-8266
cparsons@1concier.com
https://www.1concier.com/
Guest room linen and terry. Spa and Pool Linen and terry. Table Linen.
Vendor CONTRIBUTERS
The B&B Team
Eben Viens
P.O. Box 1799
Brattleboro, VT 05302
802-257-2360
eben@bbteam.com
www.bbteam.com
We are The B&B Team®. If you want to purchase a bed and breakfast inn, learn about starting a bed and breakfast, or you are an innkeeper looking to sell your inn or grow your business, we want to talk to you about our inn broker & consulting services. We are a diverse group of experienced professionals, who also happen to be friends, with one mission: to help you reach your personal and financial goals in the Innkeeping industry. As licensed real estate brokers and Innkeeping consultants with offices in several states, The B&B Team® helps you achieve the success you deserve nationwide.
The WBBA thanks The B&B Team for sponsoring a coffee and refreshment break.
Galena Country Tourism
Justin Helle
101 Bouthillier St
Galena, IL 61036
815-776-9200
jhelle@visitgalena.org
https://www.visitgalena.org/
We thank Galena Country Tourism for their contribution of visitors bags for the Midwest Independent Lodging Conference and Trade Show guests attendees.
Sítrónu Bath Products
PO Box 143
Huntly, VA 22627
202-320-1357
sitronubathproducts@gmail.com
https://www.sitronu.com/
We thank Sítrónu Bath Products for their contribution of product gift boxes for the Midwest Independent Lodging Conference and Trade Show guests attendees.