Aspiring Innkeepers
Home > Membership> Aspiring Innkeepers

The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia offers an Aspiring Innkeepers' workshop for those who are interested in pursuing inn keeping as a future occupation. Our class is taught by experienced innkeepers for you, the Aspiring Innkeeper. Learn from the experience of those who know. The seminar is an introduction to innkeeping for a person or a couple/partners who are considering the purchase, building or converting an existing residence into a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

The seminar “Keys to Successful Inn Keeping” gives each participant the tools to answer the all important question “is inn keeping for me?” This course will give you valuable information regarding the purchase and set-up of a bed and breakfast property as well as invaluable information regarding the day to day operation of an inn.

Cost $175.00 single, $275.00 for couples/partners.
$100 additional for third person partner.

All materials and lunch each day will be provided.
All workshops will be held at the Glenmore Country Club in Keswick, VA

If you have questions or would like to register for a workshop, please call 888-660-2228 for further information and to discuss your needs with one of the instructors.

2009 Workshop Schedule
August 2-3, 2009, November 1-2, 2009, February 28, 2010 class will be held with BBAV General Membership Meeting at the Boar's Head Inn, Charlottesville, VA

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR AN ASPIRING INNKEEPER WORKSHOP

Instructors:
This workshop will be lead by Norm and Becky Lindway; owners of The Aspiring Innkeeper Consultants and InnKeeping Instruction. Norm and Becky were owners of the highly successful Inn at Monticello in Charlottesville, VA for over 10 years. Becky served as President of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia for three years, and has been a board member for five years. For many years they were the people who answered the BBAV phone and served as the first voice of Hospitality for the Association. Most recently they served as the Executive Directors of the association for the past few years, prior to becoming innkeeping consultants.

Several current BBAV Member innkeepers will also share their expertise at this seminar. They are the experts in the field and the instructors are from large and small inns, city and country properties, each will give the participants valuable information about just how they run their own individual inn.

DAY 1:

  • Life Style Concepts
  • Defining the B&B Experience from the owners perspective
  • Life Style Changes…..Do You Have What It Takes
  • Growing Trends in the Industry what do they mean for the new owner?
  • Will inn keeping meet your income requirement
  • Industry Trends
  • Who Chooses to Stay in a B&B?
  • Industry Trends
  • Inn Style...Important questions regarding choice of property
  • Your Perfect Inn
  • Prerequisites for a Successful Purchase
  • How to Look for an Inn to Purchase
  • General Valuation Methods
  • Understanding Government Issues
  • Zoning and Health Department
  • Tax Implications and Business Model
  • Business Planning, Accounting and Budget
  • Insurance

12:00 Lunch

  • Designing the Property
  • Selecting Market and Location
  • Do You Buy, Build or Remodel?
  • Food Service
  • Amenities
  • Design and Daily Operations
  • Professionalism
  • Record keeping
  • Policies
  • Pricing
  • Computerized Reservation and online systems
  • Confirmations
  • Credit Card Use
  • Marketing
  • Promotional Materials
  • Internet Marketing
  • B & B Directories and Other On line Strategies

DAY 2:

  • The Real Thing: Round Table Discussions at a BBAV Member Inn: Inn Tour 9 -12:30
  • Daily Operations
  • Staffing, Room Set Up, Pricing and Breakfast Service
  • Inspections and Guest Expectations
  • How to make the Guest Happy and SafeBeyond the Basics…Hospitality
  • The Importance of being In Tune with your Guests
  • Marketing Hints, and Selling more from your Inn
  • Specials, Packages, Gift Shop, Special Events
  • Amenity Suppliers and other necessities
 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR AN ASPIRING INNKEEPER WORKSHOP


Comments from a Recent Class:

"This class really helped me understand just what I needed to think about before I jumped right in! I would have made so many mistakes, from the wrong place to the wrong towels! The class was well organized, and presented. The innkeepers were so informative and encouraging. The handouts have great information and I took so many notes that I feel so confident now that I have made the right choice. I especially like the fact that as I continue with this idea I have a group of people who I can call on the phone and ask a question of if I need to."

"Boy did we learn a lot....I have owned my own business for years, but not all of that transfers to inn keeping. I was very impressed with the information on managing and maintaining a bed and breakfast, especially what to consider as we incorporate our ideas into the house. Thanks, I think you probably saved us money, and cost us money because we now know what the guests are looking for."