WIA Briefing Luncheon January 27th in DePere

Sponsored by A&A Fire and Security, Inc

The Wisconsin Innkeepers Association Board of Directors would like to invite lodging property owners and managers in the Green Bay/ DePere area to attend a special Briefing Luncheon on Wednesday, September 27th from 12:30 – 1:45 pm at the F.K. Bemis Conference Center located on the St. Norbert College Campus in De Pere.

A representative of the Greater Green Bay Area Lodging Association will give a brief overview of the current issues facing local operators, and the WIA will provide a brief overview of a few key legislative and other issues of concern to Wisconsin’s lodging industry. Included among these issues are updates on the Statewide Smoking Ban, the upcoming Carbon Monoxide Detector requirements and State Tourism funding cuts. This is also our opportunity for WIA Board members from around the state to hear about local or state issues you find critical to your property.

In addition to the the Briefing Luncheon, we will have a number of committee meetings which WIA members are invited to sit in on. No preparation time is required for the committee meetings; we only ask that you bring your opinions, objectivity, and decision-making skills to the table.  The meeting schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, 1/27 –

• 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.   Legislative/ Tourism Committee
• 12:30 pm   Luncheon & Presentation
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.    Communications/ Marketing Committee immediately followed by Membership/ Services Committee
• 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.     Education/ Conference Committee
• 6:15 p.m.   Reception & Dinner at Titletown Brewing Co.

All WIA members are welcome to attend any of the committee meetings and events.  The registration form for the Luncheon Briefing (and other meetings/events) is available here or you may register online. The only fee is for the cost of your meals, with options provided both online and on the form.

A special thanks goes to our meetings sponsor: A&A Fire and Security, Inc.

Questions?  Please contact Andrew Bronson at 262-782-2851 or registration@wisconsinlodging.info.

Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Trade Show

3:00-7:00 pm, October 26, 2009
Glacier Canyon Conference Center,
at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells

by Bill Elliott, WIA
Win a Night & Make Some Deals!

It’s time for the WIA’s Lodging Conference again, and just like always, you should be prepared to find some great values at our TRADE SHOW! There are a host of new vendors exhibiting – from an exterminator with a bed-bug-sniffing dog, to companies who’ll help you with wall coverings to insurance agents, you are sure to find something that you didn’t even know about last year.

Of course, what would a WIA trade show be without some of the regulars as well? Don’t worry… they will be there, too! To see a complete list of the exhibitors, click here.

While you’re in the Show, make sure to fill out & return your “Sherlock’s Tour” game sheet. It’s a great way to meet some of the exhibitors that support the WIA, and one lucky participant will win a free night at the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells!

The trade show is open to all Lodging Properties free of charge. Either register for the conference or email me for a free pass!

NEW! Sunday Night Challenge

Who: WI Lodging Conference Participants
What: Sunday Night Challenge – A Fun, New PAC fundraiser event
Where: Kalahari’s New Indoor Theme Park
When: Sunday, 10/25 6:00 p.m.
Why: It’s FUN, there will be PRIZES, it’s a fundraiser for WIAPAC, and did I mention FUN?
How: Not registered yet? Click here to download the info & then register online or contact Andrew in the WIA office

Here’s the scoop:

• There will be 10 interactive events featuring bowling, billiards, darts, virtual golf and WIAPAC trivia
• Participants will compete in teams of 2 – If you come by yourself, we can pair you with another participant & THERE WILL BE PRIZES!
• Pizza, Soda and Desserts are provided as part of your package & a cash bar is also available

This NEW Sunday Night Challenge is a fundraiser for the WIAPAC fund and donations can be made onsite by purchasing “do-over” tickets. “Do-over” tickets are $5 each (or 5 for $20) and each ticket allows you to “do-over” an event for a chance to earn a higher team score. Prizes will be awarded based on total team scores. There is no limit on the amount of tickets you can purchase.

Again, there’s only a few days left to get in on the FUN! Click here to download the info & then register online or contact Andrew in the WIA office – Deadline to Register is NOON on FRIDAY, 10/23!

Meet the Panelists: 2009 WI Lodging Conference

In addition to the outstanding speakers we blogged about last week, we’re also excited to present an equally talented group of panelists for the 2009 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show:

October 25-27, 2009
Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort,
Wisconsin Dells

Straight Talk on the Economy, Monday 10:30 a.m. features panelists Bill Otto, President of Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Todd Winkler, President of WISCO Hotels along with Lindsay Culbreath from Smith Travel Research (STR). Moderated by Scott Anderson, President of Kohler Company’s Hospitality Division, together these hospitality experts will share their insights into the state of Wisconsin’s Economy, its impact on the lodging industry, as well as where owners & operators should focus over the next year.  This fast-paced, informative session will also include projections for the rest of 2009 and into 2010.

Monday afternoon’s breakout sessions get started with Affordable Renovations at 1:45 p.m. where design & construction experts Doug Nysse from Kahler Slater Inc., Bill Ryan with Architectural Design Consultants Inc. and Darren Noak from Tri-North Builders will answer all your renovation questions.  From determining the best time to remodel to how to establish a budget for renovations; advice for picking your design team or identifying lower cost/ big impact renovation strategies; these experts will share their experiences including their list of DO’s and DON’T's.

With sessions on Monday afternoon, 1:45 p.m. and again Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. attendees have two opportunities to hear this panel of experts on Reducing Operational Costs. Matt Matenaer, P.E., Energy Advisor with Focus on Energy kicks off the program with guidance on implementing the most cost-effective energy savings strategies for your property. Next, learn purchasing strategies to reduce or control costs from Neil Locke with Neil Locke & Associates. Finally, Mike Kaminski with Chula Vista Resort and the AmericInn Motel in Wisconsin Dells will share his practical insight with proven strategies for both a large multi-service resort as well as a smaller, limited service property.

Learn more & register for the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show – Early Bird rates expire TODAY- Monday, October 12th.  Download the Conference brochure, check out the Sunday Night Challenge, make a Silent Auction Donation or register online here.

People to see at the WIA Trade Show

October 25-27, 2009
Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort,
Wisconsin Dells

We missed a few people on the list of trade show exhibitors listed in InnTouch Magazine last week… Please note that Lagina Plumbing, Best Collections Inc and A&A Fire and Security, Inc will be there!

We have had even more companies sign up since then, so make sure to check out the full list!

If you are looking to save money, the WIA Trade Show is the place to be. To register for the conference, click here or, email Andrew in the WIA office to get a FREE trade show pass.