Amelia Painter Addresses Innkeepers' Boot Camp and Conference in Iowa City, IA

Topics covered during the Innkeepers Boot Camp and at the conference included Internet Blogging, Emerging Insurance News, Accepting Room Reservations Online, and much, much more.

Iowa City, IA (PRWEB) February 28, 2006 -- Amelia Painter, general manager of TotalWebDesiger.com, a premier Web design and development firm, recently addressed a two-day conference for bed and breakfast professionals in Iowa City, IA. The two-day even was held at The Cottage Bakery & Café on Linn Street in Iowa City February 19 and 20.

It was planned and organized by the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper’s Association (IBBIA) – Mary Nichols is the seating President of the organization. IBBIA requires all member inns be approved and inspected. Inspections are conducted by a staff member that is thorough in scope, covering safety and security items as well as appearance, comfort, and cleanliness. Food preparation, amenities and administrative items are also evaluated as part of the inspection. Every member inn must pass a rigorous inspection to insure compliance with Association standards. IBBIA is the only Innkeeper Association in the State of Iowa that requires such close scrutiny of their membership, so continuing education for innkeepers is a high priority of this organization.

Attendees traveled from all parts of the state to learn about new trends and issues affecting the B&B industry Presentations included subjects as diverse as travelers’ changing needs, insurance coverage for B&B’s, and creative ways to market inns on the Internet.

Leading Boot Camp was Jerry Phillips, often referred to as the “Father of Bed and Breakfast,” along with Amelia Painter of Fostoria, IBBIA’s Webmaster and Internet Specialist.

Phillips and his wife Mary have been operating the Old Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin since 1974 – they were innkeepers long before the term was coined! Phillips provided attendees with invaluable written materials on subjects including marketing and daily operations, improving the bottom-line, financing, and guest relations.

The keynote speaker for the Monday conference was Amelia Painter of Fostoria. She is the Webmaster for IBBIA and the General Manager of TotalWebDesigner.com. (Learn more about her online at www.totalwebdesigner.com.) Her presentation was titled, “Blogging Along with Amelia.” Blogs are the latest trend on the Internet and IBBIA’s Web site is one of the first B&B Associations in the country to have their own Blog. Mrs. Painter covered all aspects of Internet marketing and discussed how the Internet is affecting Iowa travelers and how innkeepers can meet the challenges and opportunities of the Web.

For example, a few years ago most Americans would learn about B&B’s through word-of-mouth and traditional advertising venues. These same traveler’s probably thought of bed and breakfasts as primarily quaint getaways for romantic couples. But today most B&B’s have a Web site and more and more innkeepers are offering amenities important to business travelers, such as high speed internet connections and work desks. Many B&B’s are “family friendly,” with bedrooms large enough to accommodate a family and nearby activities for children.

Since 1995, Painter has been creating unique solutions for its clients' Web design and development needs as well as writing and speaking on Internet Marketing issues. Mary Nichols, President of IBBIA, believes Painter’s involvement with the Association is enhancing the organization’s Internet marketing success strategy. "IBBIA members are all benefiting from Painter’s educational seminars and desire to keep her client’s informed. Her winning attitude contributes to our Association’s spirit and philosophy of success.”

Painter is also a staff writer for the national consumer magazine, Bed & Breakfast America. Each issue highlights premier inns across the country. Painter often travels for the magazine and has written about the outstanding bed and breakfast establishments Iowa has to offer travelers. You can learn more about Painter’s speaking schedule and the magazine on her company’s Web site at: www.TotalWebDesigner.com

If you would like to learn more about the bed and breakfast establishments across the state, visit www.iaBedandBreakfast.com -- it is sponsored by the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper’s Association. To receive a comprehensive Iowa lodging Directory free by mail, simply call toll-free in Iowa 800.888.4667. The Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper’s Association is the only Iowa lodging Association recommended by the Professional Association of Innkeeper’s International and it offers innkeeper members more benefits and educational opportunities than any other Iowa organization.

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