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Lanier Member Reminders
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Innkeepers, remember to upload your Innkeeper's Story to your Lanier listing. Most guests like to know the background of their Innkeepers. In some cases, it's information about the Innkeeper that pushes them towards visiting your Inn.To add your story and an image, log in to your LanierBB.com listing and click on the Innkeeper Story button. "While we were living in Europe a few years back, I was thrilled to have found LanierBB.com. Through the site, I found an American Chef running a great B&B in France, as well as many other B&Bs that were perfectly suited for my family's needs. I have not forgotten the experience of finding amazing B&Bs online. LanierBB.com continues to be my preferred resource for finding B&B's both in the U.S. and abroad! Thank you, Laniers!!!!" - Angela Howell, Traveler, January 2011 |
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Featured Vendors
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Members save 50% off the retail price!
 Members save over 50% off the retail price! See full details at bottom of newsletter.
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Dear Innkeeping Friends,
 | | Marie & Pamela |
In the past two months Marie and I have attended Bed and Breakfast Conferences in Hawaii, South Dakota, Nevada, Arkansas for innkeepers in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Tomorrow, I leave for the Illinois conference. One thing that's become clear is that innkeepers are beginning to see an increase in reservations for 2011 which is certainly very encouraging. Marie has been talking about search engine optimization, social networking and website enhancement. I've been focusing on multimedia marketing, attracting more guests to rural properties and using your own passions and hobbies to maximize guests. Our best suggestion for those of you who want to build out your reservations this year is to: 1. Get a good calendar in place showing holidays, events & promotions happening in your destination (check with the chamber of commerce, colleges/universities, department of tourism, etc. for upcoming events). Start building packages and special offers around these local happenings and holidays (don't forget to post them on your Lanier listing, we'll promote them for you)! 2. Make your website a complete "travel planner" for guests coming to your area. Make it easy for folks to stay at your place and take day trips to other attractions within a 2 hour radius. One good way is to create 4 or 5 landing pages on your website dealing with nearby attractions, activity opportunities like hiking, fishing, etc., and fun things such as museums, shopping, etc. 3. My favorite new idea came from an innkeeper in Nevada who said their number one best marketing trick was to answer the phone themselves as often as possible and always with a smile on their face. Good recommendation! Wishing you a very happy March, Pamela and Marie Lanier
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Spring Break is Here!
There should be more spring break travelers this year. B&Bs in warm destinations, are you ready? Read more...
Costly Tax Mistake
Avoid making these 10 small business tax mistakes. Read more...
100% Smoke-Free Lodging
More and more hotels, motels, and lodgings are going smoke-free.
Read more...
Increased Tourism in Hawaii
Tired of freezing on the mainland, more travelers are heading to Hawaii. Read more...
Decorators and Design Professionals Get Ready!
The Sunset Hill House is hosting a Decorators Showdown during the weekend of April 8th. The participants will be given one weekend to transform the Inn's rooms and bathrooms.
Electric Car-Friendly Hotel The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte has installed two charging stations for guests driving electric cars. Read more...
February's Poll Results 89% of survey responders offer romantic getaway packages at their B&Bs. When asked what's the most important component of creating a romantic inn, the response was evenly split between decor, activities, and amenities.
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Innkeepers Can Save Money While Increasing
Brand Awareness and Guest Loyalty
|  by Bree Lorentzen Marketing Specialist The biggest challenge any hotelier or innkeeper faces is how to differentiate themselves among the masses - without increasing the bottom line. The age old question of marketability vs. profitability can make even the most proficient managers stand helpless. An overwhelming number of solutions designed to assist their goals loom before them, and in the midst of the chaos, a simple solution is often overlooked: the in-room bath amenity. Read more... |
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Finally, a B&B Real Estate Solution
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 For 28 years, we have served as an advocate and marketing support system for innkeepers. Now, we have expanded our marketing services to include support with buying and selling a B&B and we invite you to take part in our Realty Program. Our national reach, coupled with the expertise of your real estate agent, will be a dynamic combination to get your Inn sold. More Info...
Email: InnsForSale@BedandBreakfastCollection.com
Toll-Free: 866-316-7657
Direct: 954-237-4910 |
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 Meet
Marley
from the Arlington Inn
The ultimate host, Marley greets every guest who visits the Inn. He even comes to the rescue when his sister wants to have a tea party in the garden.
Congratulations Loving Pet Owners!
Look out for your special prize.
Good news, the contest continues... If you have a mascot that's destined for fame, send us pictures and a brief introduction to newsletter@travelguides.com. Only current Lanier BBIGI members are eligible. Is your membership
current? Renew today
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Wine and Dine Your Guests
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Lanier Members Receive 35% off Wines 
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Innkeeper's Story Presents...
|  My wife and I "purchased" The BEALL MANSION (or more accurately became the indentured servants to the bank) in 1996. A massive full time restoration of the property was begun and has continued now for more than a decade. (Wish you could take tax deduction for helping support the restoration of a historic property but the IRS doesn't look at it my way.). Read More...
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Featured B&B Destinations for Visitors
|  According to PhoCusWright, "destination web sites play no small role in the travel planning and shopping process...travelers are clearly looking for local insight into activities, events & attractions to enhance their experience in addition to lodging options." Our most recent issues featured these B&B destinations in support of our Member Inns: St. Simons Island, GA Ottawa, ON |
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Share Your Opinion
Help Us Better Understand Our Industry
|  As an innkeeper, your opinion, preferences, and suggestions matter, we want to share this with the Industry. Thank you in advance for participating.
What is the best way to increase revenue at a B&B?
Where do you spend most of your marketing dollars?
How much annually do you spend on marketing your B&B?
Check out our news section for February's poll results. |
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Need to speak with a Lanier staff member?
Please contact us by email at: lanier@travelguides.com
or by phone at: 707-763-0271 (USA and Canada)
001-707-776-0995 (International)
We look forward to helping you in any way we can.
The Lanier Staff |
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Save
50%
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Dolce Mia Lanier members receive 50% of all retail soaps, lotions, and cleansers with $200 minimum order. Dolce Mia Designs is a family-run business specializing in high-end gifts and decorative accessories. We offer a wide range of products and styles. Whereas many personal care products are made overseas, in a variety of countries, our beauty products are made right here in Northern California. The benefits of local production include reduced carbon footprint, procuring local ingredients, hiring local people - enhancing the local economy, and employing family businesses like our own, whenever possible.
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| Save 50% |
Time for TwoLanier members receive a discounted price of only $11.25 
Increase your bookings and revenue by offering your guests a Time for Two romantic game.Time for Two has been working with Inns, and Bed and Breakfasts to provide them with best selling romantic games that are the centerpiece for their romance packages creating a truly memorable evening for a couple - an experience that lingers long after they leave your property. The game also provides guests with a keepsake from the weekend.In addition to adding the games to a romantic package, B&Bs offer Time for Two basket "upgrades" that include a game and other amenities. They also offer Time for Two products in their gift shop for their guests to take home and give as gifts.
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