INNfo

Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Volume 2, Issue 30


PAII News & Announcements:
 Alert from Homeland Security

There have been recent incidents of hotel companies receiving the following international emails requesting items that could be construed as intelligence gathering:

"I would like to receive the complimentary brochure of your hotel/resort, free of cost. The reason is that I am fond of collecting hotel and resort brochures which I do not sell. In addition to the brochure, if your hotel/resort has some complimentary accessory items like pens, pencils, markers, file covers, file clips, hotel logo stickers, 2007 edition calendars, letter pads, writing pads, mouse pads, key rings, diaries, carrier bags, complimentary wallet, etc., then I request you to kindly send to me on behalf of your hotel/resort as souvenirs, free of cost."

The Department of Homeland Security has investigated the emails and do not believe the ones received to date pose a dangerous threat. They advise each property to treat the messages as a SPAM and ignore the emails.

If you receive a suspicious request, please contact the local Department of Homeland Security representative or call the local FBI office. Please also contact the National Infrastructure Coordination Center, which tracks incidents and shares leads with 17 sectors, at 202.282.9201.

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PAII Membership Minutes:
The Bed & Breakfast / Country Inns Industry Study of Operations and Finance, 2007-2008 is now available!

Click Here Order your copy today, which covers:

• Occupancy levels
• Average Daily Rates
• Key costs:
   - Labor
   - Food
   - Insurance
   - Marketing
• Key trends: Amenities & Breakfast
• Revenue and expenses for gift shop, weddings, meetings

PAII members can purchase the Industry Study of Operations and Finance, 2007-2008
for only $99 ($199 non-members)

If you have not purchased the PAII Study of Innkeeper Marketing Practices, you can add this to you order for only $25.00 (PDF). This study contains the only information available on how innkeepers across the nation spend their marketing dollars and promote their properties. Everything from advertising to PR, handling and tracking online reservations, target markets, websites, innkeeper tips, and more.

Questions? Email membership@paii.org call 800.468.7244, or visit www.paii.org.

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PAII Forum Digest: Do You Have a Successful Girlfriend Getaway Package, & More!
If you have not had time to log on to the Forum located in the Members Only section of www.paii.org,
here are some of the interesting topics that have been discussed this past week.

Do You Have A Successful Girlfriend Getaway Package?
We are working on an article about trends in women's travel. If you currently run a successful girlfriend getaway package we would like to conduct a brief phone or email interview.

PC Versus MAC
We are in need of new computer system and we are a couple years away for our dream of operating our own B&B. The question is which of these two computer products is more ideal for a B&B operation? Does anyone have any input about security software and PC versus Mac? Which is safer?

Business Plan
Does anyone have a business plan format more in tune to B&B operations?

In Room Heating/Air Conditioning Systems
In a couple of the forums lately, a few have mentioned they have individual heating/air condition units in the rooms. Is there a particular "type" or name of the unit I need to be asking about? What are the pros and cons of using these units? I am in the process of trying to change part of our system here, as I have the old "steam heat" boiler units with radiators. Fuel oil was VERY expensive this year, so looking to make some sort of difference.

Pillows
We have a continuing problem with pillows. Does anyone have a brand that they use and could suggest to us.

Accounting and Guest Tracking Systems
I have two B&B rooms and five vacation rentals. It seems like many of you use multifaceted software like Rezovations or Webervations to track guests, send correspondence, and handle accounting, however, others seem to be using smaller scale programs like QuickBooks. With my number of units, do I need something like Rezovations, or would I be better off using Outlook/Word for guest tracking and communication and QuickBooks for accounting and Webervations for online booking and Payment Alliance for credit card processing? I am looking for simplicity and organization.

Aspiring Tropical Paradise seeks Marketing/Operations Advice
I will be opening with two suites and one cottage. The cottage is a large two bedroom, with living room, kitchen and bath, the second is a large master suite with French doors and large bath with Jacuzzi tub. The third suite overlooks the garden area with French doors and is spacious with room for sitting and working, but the bathroom is across the hall. It will be private, but it is across the hall. I was wondering the most effective way to market this room to maximize occupancy?

Need Rack Card & Brochure Samples & Formats Please
I am putting together a rack card and brochure. I would appreciate ideas, samples and suggestions. Black and white or color, photos, text, glossy paper, etc. Did you use a local printer or do it yourself at home or use a Kinko's type of service?

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PAII Food Feature: Old Fashioned Cider Syrup
Let us feature a recipe from your inn!
Please send your submission (and a photo of the dish if available) to Laura@paii.org.

Old Fashioned Cider Syrup

 Carol Edmondson, (www.innseminars.com) in Cape Cod, MA, offers this great recipe for Old Fashioned Cider Syrup. This makes a great sugar-free pancake syrup or a wonderful fruit sauce for desserts. Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 Gallon Fresh Apple Cider
1 Cinnamon Stick
5 Whole Cloves

Directions:
In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, heat the cider, cinnamon stick, and cloves to boiling. Skim the surface to remove any film. Boil on high until reduced to 2 cups of liquid. Serve warm.

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About INNfo

INNfo is published weekly. Annual subscription is included in the price of membership.

Publisher
Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII)

Editor-in-Chief
Laura Middleton

Production Coordinator
Laura Middleton

Editorial Staff
Laura Middleton, Karen Hudgeons, Jeanine Zeman

Editorial Suggestions and Contributions
Editorial comments and suggestions are welcomed. In addition, if you have a suggestion or would like to contribute news and announcements for INNfo, please contact INNfo’s Editor-in-Chief, Laura Middleton, at 856.310.1102 or Laura@paii.org.

Advertising Rates & Information
Weekly sponsorship ads are available. Please send all inquiries to Marlene Sapir at marlene@paii.org or 856.310.1102. MC/VISA/AMEX/DISCOVER accepted.

Editorial Offices
c/o PAII
207 White Horse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
Phone: 856.310.1102 • Fax: 856.310.1105
membership@paii.org • www.paii.org

Title Image Courtesy of Jumping Rocks

©2007INNfo, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the editor.
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