Sauces...

Preparations are underway for the Sold Out Art of Breakfast workshop on Tuesday at The Danforth in Portland. Dana is busy preparing the rich sauces used on breakfast plates like paints on a canvas.

FULL!!!!

Our first workshop, the Art of Breakfast, is full. What a great way to start this new project. We so appreciate the support of the innkeeping community and the Maine tourism community as a whole. Can't wait to see the pictures that come out of this first class.
(Dana Moos Photo)

Maine Restaurant Week

March 1 - 10 is Maine Restaurant Week. Do what you can to support participating Maine restaurants. We're going to. In fact the nights before our March 2 and 3 classes in Portland, hosts Dana and Leslie will be doing their part. And chances are Dana will get some great shots of some of the highlights.
(Dana Moos Photo)

Breakfast, no Art, no BOTH.

Our first official Maine Innkeeping Academy class is right around the corner. The Art of Breakfast is being held on March 2nd at The Danforth in Portland. Dana Moos and Leslie Cottrell will be joined by Native Maine Produce to present a delicious and beautiful hands on workshop discussing what can be done to make breakfast an extra special event.

There are a few spots left. We don't want it to be too large a group, want some hands on opportunities! Go to our FB page to sign up or just email us at inns@swanagency.com. The charge is only $15 per person.

(Dana Moos Photo)

Facebook Fan Pages

I just spent most of Sunday morning doing a project researching Facebook fan pages of Maine Inns. I was very surprised how many properties don't have a FB page. No judgement, really - but just like years and years ago with fax machines, then websites, then online booking - you may need to bite the bullet.

It doesn't have to be a chore, it can be fun. Mostly, it does not have to take a lot of time. Don't believe people that tell you that. Five minutes every few days will put you WAY ahead of all but the best social media devotees.

Social Media Workshops

Our social media workshops aren't just for innkeepers. Anyone interested in enhancing their personal or business facebook pages, twitter posts, among other outlets can benefit from attending. Sign up on our Maine Innkeeping Academy Facebook page or email us and you'll be all set to attend. If you can't make it to Portland, we're planning other sessions in other areas of Maine. Let us know if you would like to host a workshop at your inn.

Beyond Breakfast

Guests at Maine inns enjoy some incredible breakfasts but that's not all. Afternoon tea, Intermezzo, and the such are all becoming standard fare and expectations of the B&B guest. At this hands on workshop, Leslie and Dana will facilitate a discussion and creation of special treats that you can customize to be unique to your Inn.

(Dana Moos Photo)

Inntimate Weddings

In addition to searching out experts to share information with workshop attendees, the mission of MIA is to also increase business for Maine Inns and B&Bs. We want to facilitate discussions between like minded people who are all out to achieve the same goal.

In today's economy, many couples are scaling back their wedding plans. The Inn/B&B venue fits perfectly into many schedules and budgets. Whether a B&B in their hometown or a destination wedding at a Maine Inn - brides and grooms are opening up their cosideration of options.

Our first "Inntimate Weddings" based workshop will simply be a conversation between innkeepers who do host weddings and those that are interested in hosting weddings. How can we, as a group, get the word out there to consider Maine Inns and Bed & Breakfasts in wedding plans? Ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner - there are lots of options.

Happy Valentine's Day

How are you celebrating Valentine's Day at your inn? Throughout Maine, inns are enjoying 100% occupancy weekend - a welcome mid winter holiday. Make it unforgettable for guests and create a devoted repeat clientele.
(Kevin Keith Photo)

Simple yet Sophisticated, The Art of Breakfast

Just like interior design, you can never go wrong with clean, simple and sophisticated with breakfast presentation.
Our Art of Breakfast class if filling fast - we'll be offering it again in the spring but you'll probably want to attend both times.
RSVP on our Facebook page or just email us at inns@swanagency.com and we'll sign you up.
(Dana Moos Photo)

April Workshops

We are already working on our April Workshops. If you have an idea for a topic you would like to present or would like us to track down an expert on, let us know. The more ideas the better.

March Workshops

Our Art of Breakfast Workshop starts at 11:00 on March 2nd. The charge is $15 per person.

Art of Social Media is 10:00 - 1:00 on March 3rd. This class is free.

March 1-10 is Restaurant Week in Maine and Portland's restaurants get very involved. Danforth Inn is offering 50% off on room nights on March 1st and 2nd for workshop attendees.

http://www.danforthmaine.com

Small Inns and Liquor Licenses

It is almost Valentine's Day. Is your inn licensed to serve wine to your guests? The Maine Liquor Commission offers a special liquor license just for B&Bs. They recognized the need and several inns take advantage of the opportunity.

We are developing a workshop on the licensing process, selling wine in the inn, what kind of wine list is best for a small property and are you meeting the rules of the law now. Participate to see if this makes sense for your inn.

(Kevin Keith Photo)

The Art of Social Media

The Art of Social Media session will be led by Facebook, Twitter and Blogging expert Dana Moos. Dana's acumen is well recognized throughout Maine in social media circles and her innkeeping and photography backgrounds make her the ideal instructor for this information packed workshop.

March 3rd at The Danforth in Portland, Maine.

Art in the Inn

We are currently putting together a workshop on Art in the Inn. We will discuss working with artists and local galleries to promote Maine artists as well as creating a new revenue stream for the inn.

What percentage goes to the inn?

How to promote.

The artist/gallery/inn relationship.

(Photo by Kevin Keith)

Today's message to Maine Innkeepers

Greetings!

We are pleased to announce the launch of Maine Innkeeping Academy. Maine Innkeeping Academy was created by The Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty as a source of education for current and aspiring innkeepers who love Maine and the hospitality of our State. Our intent is to create a community of like minded business owners interested in setting their businesses apart from the crowd, setting a solid foundation for growth and maintaining their investment for the eventual sale.

Our first classes will be held in Portland at The Danforth Inn. http://www.danforthmaine.com

March 2 - The Art of Breakfast - a fun hands on workshop on plating and garnishing to make breakfast a masterpiece. Then a short talk by Maine purveyors on how a small inn can showcase Maine products in their breakfasts.

March 3 - The Art of Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, Blogging - Essential to today's small business. Still don't believe in it? At least understand it. Social Media guru Dana Moos takes you through them all in a casual, easy to understand fashion - and makes it fun.

March 21 - 23 Get Innspired Aspiring Innkeeper's Workshop

Currently in production:

An Important Issue!
A workshop on small inns and the Maine B&B Liquor License - not to be missed. We'll even bring in wine and beer vendors to discuss an appropriate short list for a small B&B. (Still today there is confusion as to whether inns can legally serve wine to guests without a liquor license)

Composing a network of Maine inns interested in hosting apprentices.

Are you interested in sharing information, leading a workshop for fellow innkeepers or new innkeepers? Let us know - we'll help set it up and get the word out.

For more information: Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Portland-Maine/Maine-Innkeeping-Academy/203173893418?ref=ts

Email us at inns@swanagency.com or Call us - Dana Moos at 266-5604.

We hope to see you at a workshop soon and appreciate hearing your thoughts and ideas on other topics and issues important to our community.

Mission

Maine Innkeeping Academy was created by The Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty as a source of education for current and aspiring innkeepers loving Maine and the hospitality of our State.

(Photo by Kevin Keith)

The Art of Breakfast

The first class to be offered by Maine Innkeeping Academy is The Art of Breakfast. Dana Moos and Leslie Cottrell will first present a hands on demonstration of garnishing and turning a normal breakfast plate into art.

We will then hear from a local purveyor discussing including Maine food products in your breakfast and how it is possible even for the small inn.

The class is offered on March 2 at 10:30AM at The Danforth Inn at 163 Danforth Street in Portland. The cost is $15.

Innkeepers attending the class who would like to spend the night in Portland the night before, the night of or both are offered 1/2 rate room rates at The Danforth.

(Photo by Dana Moos)