2011 Academy Workshop Schedule

Scheduled Workshops
March 1 - The Art of Breakfast at Danforth Inn, Portland 1-4pm
March 14 - Social Media Marketing at 1802 House, Kennebunkport 1-4pm
March 28 - Social Media Marketing at Saltair Inn, Bar Harbor 1-4pm
April 16 & 17 - Get Innspired Seminar at Craignair Inn, St. George 2pm 4/16 to 3 pm 4/18
April 28 - Social Media Marketing at White Cedar Inn, Freeport 1-4pm
May 12 - The Art of Breakfast at Danforth Inn, Portland 12-3pm
May 22 & 23 Get Innspired Seminar at Danforth Inn, Portland 2pm 5/22 to 3pm 5/24
June 7 - The Art of Breakfast at Timbercliffe Cottage, Camden 1-4pm
October 28 & 29 - Get Innspired Seminar at Inn on the Harbor, Stonington 2pm 10/29 to 3pm 10/31

Innkeepers will LOVE this

Check out:

http://www.techsavvyinnkeeper.com

by Dana Moos

Inn Gardens

We follow a whole bunch of Maine Inns on facebook and it seems like they are all talking about their gardens now. It is an early flower season in Maine, I remember when we wouldn't see Lupine in Bar Harbor until mid-June and this year they are already here.

Breakfast Inspiration

For those of you missing Dana's photographs of amazing breakfasts.... this shot is on her Facebook page today, something she "threw together" at home... Wow!

All Indicators are Positive

From what we hear, Maine innkeepers are very encouraged by the level of advance reservations for this season. Why wouldn't people want to visit our beautiful State?

Exciting Topics

We have had some really great people and groups contact us about providing workshops for Maine Innkeepers through our Academy. We are going to spend the summer preparing one fantastic workshop schedule for fall. Everything from marketing to special events to additional income streams for your inn. If you have ideas, add them to the pile. This is going to be great!

Final Workshop of the Season

What a way to go into Season 2010. The PR Workshop with Jim and Gillian Britt of gBritt was a great success. We have heard from many that May on is just too busy for workshops and especially this year which is proving to be a banner season. We'll be working on workshops for fall and also webinars and such that you can watch at your own pace.

Above are some of Dana's photos from the workshop, to see them all go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dana_moos/4544800468/in/set-72157623912956232/

PR Workshop this Thursday!!

We are getting really excited about Thursday's, April 22nd, workshop with gBritt. gBritt is the PR Firm behind the brilliantly executed Maine Restaurant Week.

You really don't want to miss this - we think some fun things may come out of it and you'll want your inn to be a part of it.

Press attention for Maine Inns benefit all of us and the possiblilities are endless.

There is no charge and there is plenty of room for everyone. To RSVP just email us at inns@swanagency.com to tell us your coming or register on our Facebook page.

Spring Workshops

First, thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. We realize that spring came early this year and everyone is getting really busy much earlier than usual. We love that.

We are putting off some of our workshops that focus on topics that are not essential to offer until after things slow down in the fall.

We are going to continue focusing on workshops that have important information for the here and now. Our Aprill 22nd workshop on PR is one of these. We are so fortunate to have the gBritt team in Portland talking to us about Public Relations and Press for our inns. This is going to be a great workshop and we may even come up with some ideas to collectively promote Maine B&Bs in the Summer 2010 Press. Don't miss this one. It could have immediate and direct impact on your bottom line.

You can RSVP on Facebook or email us at inns@swanagency.com. There is no charge for this class and it is being held at The Danforth on April 22nd from 10am - Noon. If you want to come down the night before and enjoy Portland, we've made arrangments for a great room rate - email inns@swanagency.com to sign up and for the code.

Breakfast can be so beautiful....

A Leslie Cottrell creation ~ Lobster Eggs Benedict

Art of Breakfast in Camden

Just Confirmed. Dana will be leading an Art of Breakfast class in Camden in early May. This is our class that has SOLD OUT in Portland so we are going to be offering in different areas. Thanks so much to Timbercliffe for hosting.

Thank You Portland Magazine

We have heard that the new issue of Portland Magazine has a mention of Maine Innkeeping Academy. Thanks! Can't wait to see it.

Back by Popular Demand - Art of Breakfast

(Dana Moos Photo from Art of Breakfast Workshop)






Our first Art of Breakfast class SOLD OUT in Portland. We are scheduling one for the Freeport area and the Camden area for May and would love to do one in the Bar Harbor area. If there is an inn on MDI that would like to host a workshop and help with presentation, let us know. This is a fun one.

Dark Harbor House SOLD

SOLD The Swan Agency Sotheby' International Realty





There really isn't enough "data" yet to make a determination but this is the third inn property in less than a year to sell as a private home. We have seen this in the past where former residences that were turned into inns are turning back to residences. Will be interesting to watch....

Spring!

Dana, Leslie and Kim are meeting tomorrow in Portland to finalize the spring schedule. We are so delighted to have had so many wonderful properties offer to host workshops. The latest is Nonantum Resort in Kennbunkport, a very special Maine inn.
We'll get everything posted by this weekend and really appreciate everyone's support. (We have also heard that there is a nice article out that we haven't seen yet on Maine Innkeeping Academy, we'll let you know!)

Really nice email Dana received from last workshop..

Hi, Dana:

I left Maine immediately following the workshop and just got back or I would have written sooner. Rob and I had such a good time at the workshop. We enjoyed meeting you and the other participants and now know why everyone raved about the food at the Kingsleigh Inn. You certainly inspired us to take our presentation up a notch (or two!).

It was terrific and we look forward to taking future classes from you. Thanks! Jeanne

Beyond Breakfast

Dana Moos Photo


Just a weekend tease to get you looking forward to the Beyond Breakfast class coming up soon.

Inn Hosts for Future Workshops

Kenniston Hill in Boothbay - One of our future venues.

We are so fortunate and thankful to have some really fabulous inns offer to host future Maine Innkeeping Academy Workshops.
We are meeting in Portland next Friday, March 26th, to finalize the schedule and venues for the rest of Spring's workshops before we break for high season. (We know that none of you will be able to find time to attend once high season hits)
If you have any ideas for workshop content, let us know - we'll track down the experts. Or, if you would be willing to open your property for a spring workshop, let us know that too. Our email is inns@swanagency.com.

Many Thanks already to:
White Cedar Inn in Freeport
Kendall Tavern in Freeport
Newcastle Inn in Newcastle
Timbercliffe in Camden
Kenniston Hill in Boothbay

Beyond Breakfast

Coming soon to a workshop near you - Beyond Breakfast. Here is a Dana Moos photo of an example of an afternoon treat for guests.

White Cedar Inn

We are really looking forward to having Maine Innkeeping Academy classes throughout Maine and White Cedar Inn in Freeport is going to be one of our upcoming venues. Very excited and very appreciative. Please let us know if you would like to host a workshop at your inn.