Spencer, IA -- The Iowa Bed
and Breakfast Innkeepers Association (IBBIA) will hold their 22nd annual
confernece on March 2 & 3 at the King’s Point Waterpark Resort in Storm
Lake. On the Sunday agenda this year, Chuck Andracchio from the TRICOR
Hospitality Insurance Program, the premier Bed & Breakfast, Country Inn,
and Resort insurance program for the Upper Midwest, will be speaking.
Sunday, March 2, 2008, will be
filled with educational workshops and many specifically for anyone
desiring to become an innkeeper. (The industry refers to these
individuals as Aspiring Innkeepers.) Andracchio will be talking about
commercial innkeeping insurance BASICS during the Sunday afternoon
session. "This will include understanding property coverage, valuation of
property, mechanical features, business income, equipment breakdown
coverage; then we will switch to general liability, slips & falls, guest
activities, host liquor liability; then we will touch lightly on Work
Comp," said Andracchio.
Sunday evening, for the full
assembly, Andracchio plans to review the latest CLAIMS and how to prepare
for what may be thrown at an innkeeper as 2007 was a year of unusual
claims, massive water damage, followed by massive ice damage. Andracchio
also plans to discuss guest activities covering murder mystery events,
wine serving/selling, wine tours preparation, affiliation with outside
vendors (massage, restaurant, bicycles, etc). There will also be a
question and answer session that will include some door prize fun for
participants.
As a third generation
independent insurance agency, TRICOR has teamed with national and regional
carriers so that innkeepers can get all their shopping done with one
dedicated agency. TRICOR is an active member of 4 state innkeeping
associations and has made presentations to many city, state and regional
innkeeping groups.
With an emphasis on the
innkeeping/hospitality industry, Chuck Andracchio has the knowledge
required to understand all of the specific and unique needs of innkeepers.
Commercial Liability, Personal Liability, Property coverage, Contents
coverage, Liquor Liability, Workers' Compensation, Commercial Auto
coverage, restaurant coverage, special event coverage, interim innkeeping
coverage, whatever your concerns may be, TRICOR has the coverage product
to address your specific needs. From past experience with Andracchio,
association leaders know it is his objective to obtain "Preferred
Pricing" for IBBIA members whenever possible -- another benefit of
belonging to the IBBIA.
Sunday's education forums will
also include a presention by Janice Hurley and Patti McPherson from
BedandBreakfast.com. These two national speakers will be giving a 3+ hour
Intensive Presentation that will include the topics of Internet marketing,
online reservations, yield management, and property management software.
This dynamic learning experience will be followed by a Wine and Cheese
Party.
According to IBBIA's
Webmaster, Amelia Painter, "today’s innkeeper must incorporate technology
into their business – the industry today is an Internet-driven market. The
success or failure of your B&B depends on how effectively you use the
Internet as a marketing tool." This annual conference is one of the key
educational arms of the association. According to Painter and other
experts in the industry, search engine marketing, taking reservations
online, and marketing an inn on the Internet are now essential to the
success of an innkeeper.
Attendees will spend two days
immersed in the bed and breakfast industry. This informative and
inspirational event is a rare chance to learn what it takes in this age of
technology to operate a quality and highly successful bed and breakfast
inn.
The public is invited to
sign-up and attend the Aspiring Innkeeper Sessions on Sunday, March 2,
2008 from Noon to 3:30pm where Andracchio and other guest speakers will
explain how aspiring innkeepers should approach the decision to become an
innkeeper and assess their ability to enter the profession. "We've worked
hard to keep the price for Aspiring and New Innkeepers as low as
possible," said Pam Adams, conference chair. "This is an educational
opportunity every person considering the ownership of a B&B needs to take
advantage of -- we are offering business-oriented workshops to the public
at this year's conference."
If you think you're ready to
experience the romance and luxury of owning your own bed and breakfast inn
- a place you can call your home as well as your business - then this
innkeeper's conference is the place to start. While owning and running
your own Bed & Breakfast Inn offers a desirable lifestyle, Innkeeping is a
business. And as with any business, success takes work, commitment and
education. The lure and romance of owning a B & B shouldn't overshadow the
reality. This conference will reveal the nuts & bolts of B&B ownership and
management.
