• 65+ Workshops to help you increase revenue, decrease expenses, and make guests happier!
  
• 75 Exhibitors with everything you need to run your inn; many have show specials that will save you money!
  
• Hundreds of other innkeepers with whom you can share ideas, make friends, and have fun!
  

• Up to two contacts for aspiring innkeepers,
• Up to three contacts for inns with 1-5 rooms,
• Up to four contacts for inns with 6-10 rooms,
• Up to five contacts for inns with 11-20 rooms, and
• Up to six contacts for inns with 20+ rooms.

This way, you will be sure not to miss important deadlines, announcements, updates, and marketing or media opportunities. Just e-mail laura@paii.org with the contact name and e-mail address and we will make that change effective immediately. It can't hurt to have others in the loop!


Have a Question or Thought You Would Like to Discuss?
Just a reminder to new members that we have a terrific Mentor Program available with over 65 participants who are ready, willing, and able to help you! Our mentors can answer those nagging questions, offer advice, discuss a new idea, lend a different viewpoint, help you work out a problem, or point you in the right direction. Simply contact karen@paii.org and we will be happy to have one of our mentors get in touch with you.

Each mentor has filled out a questionnaire regarding their areas of expertise, past experience, and topics of comfort so we will assign "matches" based on your specific need at the time. If they can't help you, we will go down the list to the next mentor who meets the criteria and so on. We have a very diverse group of individuals with varying experience levels participating so there should always be someone available to call or e-mail you when you have a question. Then the next time you need a mentor, you simply call us back and we will assign a different mentor based on your new need and their availability.

Everyone is invited to participate in this program! If you can't find the answers you need on the Forum, or if you prefer to remain anonymous, this is yet another great PAII benefit that you can utilize. (back to top)


PAII Forum Digest:
Looking for a Convention Roommate, Ironing Sheets, & 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.

Looking for a Convention Roommate
I've made reservations, but am looking for a roommate for the PAII Convention. The room is a deluxe/double with ocean view. Smoking is allowed. So, if there is a smoker/smoke tolerant member (gender does not matter) looking to share a room, please contact me at the number below. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Jo at Phoenix Risin' B&B (www.phoenixrisin.com) 410.462.2692.

Ironing Sheets, Pillow Cases, & Tablecloths
We are buying a B&B and should be moving in April. We have heard that a rotary iron will make quick work of ironing flat things. We have heard of two: Mangel (not made for a long time) and Miele (a German manufacturer). Have you used one of these? How well do they work? Are they worth the investment? Is a used Mangel a good option or should we bite the bullet and by a new Meile?

Red Wine Stains
What is the best way of dealing with red wine stains? Fortunately, we have not had to deal with damage of this nature, but know that it will eventually happen.

Ironing Sheets, Pillow Cases, & Tablecloths
There is no written rule about ironing sheets or pillowcases and very few people will comment on them not being ironed since few if any do it at home and far fewer have ever slept on starched and ironed bed linens. You will not get comments about the linens NOT being ironed, but you sure will get comments when they are starched and ironed—Heaven to sleep on.

Weddings at Your B&B
We are having our first wedding and need to know how to develop a contract and any "DOs and DON'Ts" for having a wedding on your property.

Victorian Decorating
We are going to begin managing a B&B in a Victorian home, along with our rather traditionally styled B&B. Can any of you who have a Victorian inn direct me to a site that will give me ideas on decorations, especially wallpaper? We want it nice but don't want to break the bank by decorating!

Beware of Citysearch.com
For over 2 years I spent about $40/month on a Citysearch.com listing. Then a new sales rep was appointed to my area. After discussing options, I increased my monthly spending to $200 with Citysearch.com in the summer of 2006. In summary, I experienced the WORST, snake-like customer service from Citysearch.com. BEWARE of talented sales people that say "let's raise your exposure for a couple months and we can always change it, whenever you want."

Easiest Way to Upload PMS Data to Quickbooks?
I manage a 15 room inn which currently uses Guest Tracker for our PMS. I'm finally ready to move to a new PMS after this busy ski season. Currently, I transfer all my room rents and taxes into an Excel Sheet that my accountant uploads to QuickBooks. (Yes, I know, endless opportunities for errors.) I need help planning my transition to a new PMS that can easily upload to QuickBooks. And I would prefer that we (the accountant in a different state and myself) can both use/look at/edit the same QuickBooks accounts. Anyone have any tips on what to do or not to do? Especially anyone that uses Rezovation and has had success or troubles with uploads to QuickBooks.
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PAII Food Feature: John F. Craig House B&B's Bread Pudding
Let us feature a recipe from your inn!
Please send your submission (and a photo of the dish if available) to L1simpson@msn.com.

Chip & Barbara Masemore from the John F. Craig House B&B (www.johnfcraig.com) in Cape May, NJ, offer this delicious, simple recipe for a wonderful bread pudding. Great for leftover muffins and breads!

Instructions
Mix 10-12 cups of coarsely chopped breads, cakes, croissants, or any combination; 10 eggs; 1 quart whole milk; sugar and cinnamon (to taste). Next, coat baking dish with Pam, and add breads. Mix eggs and milk, seasonings, and sugar. Pour over bread. Can sit overnight. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 45-60 minutes until set and lightly browned.

Make sauce: Mix 4 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons flour. Bring 2 cups milk to boil and add egg mixture. Cook slowly until thickened and pourable. Keep warm until ready to serve.
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PAII Pointer: Bowls, Basters, & Beyond
After cleaning your dishes in the dishwasher, consider letting other washable items dance the Sunlight® salsa (e.g., light fixtures, removable parts of smaller appliances, and anything not affected by hot water or detergent). General rule: If it fits, put it in!
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