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2015 Update from our Annual Meeting
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President's Letter
The WBBG just finished a great Annual Meeting at the Chrysalis Inn in Bellingham.  There were almost 70 in attendance and I personally thought it was the best, most informative, meeting we have had.  The Committee who put it all together:
  • Linda Dike, Guest House B&B
  • Anna Lena Melka, Shafer Baillie Mansion
  • Bonnie McCullough, Selah Inn
  • Penny Whisler, Three Tree Point B&B
  • Julie McAferty, Greenlake Guest House
  • Liz Wilhelm, Aspiring Innkeeper
They did a fabulous job and deserve our thanks for making this happen.  We had lots of associate members who participated in the vendor fair on Monday night.  The Chrysalis offered comfortable rooms and meeting space and served very pleasant food for our meals and breaks.  Don, the soon to be ex-treasure, provided far too much entertainment in his dry treasurer's report.  He was also instrumental in an inspired "ad" for next year"s meeting in Walla Walla.

There were many informative and inspiring presentations. I personally appreciated the presentations from David Britt on the emerging sharing economy and from Jay Karen on finding balance in your life as an innkeeper.  Lisa Kolb also did a great presentation on SEO improvement for our websites.

At the annual meeting, despite Don's shenanigans, we passed the budget which includes $7775 in marketing funds to add a mobile WBBG.com and improve the SEO on that site.

We took up the controversial issue of the lodging map.  After surveying the membership last spring, the board, at the October meeting, recommended that we stop printing the lodging map and apply those funds to other forms of marketing - specifically to mobile website and improved SEO for WBBG.com.  There were many opinions represented, but the vote at the annual meeting was not close.  Fully 90% of the voting membership voted to end production of the lodging map.

Two other items came up in this discussion.  One was the distribution of WBBG cards for innkeepers to hand out providing an incentive to come to WBBG.com to find other inspected and approved B&Bs in Washington.  The second was to make a printable "lodging map" available on WBBG.com for anyone to print.

Finally, we did elect new officers.  Angela Elgee of Angelsong Retreat B&B in Stanwood was elected Treasurer and Dave Petro of Ravenscroft Inn in Port Townsend was elected VP of Marketing.  Thank you Dave and Angela for your willingness to support the guild with your time, creativity and energy.  All Regional Representatives from last year were willing to run for re-election and were elected to another one year term.  Penny Whisler of Three Tree Point B&B, Burien, agreed to run for one of the at-large Regional Representative positions and will support Eastern Washington Region where we now have a new member.  Applause for our great Regional Reps.  If you are interested in supporting the Guild in this or any other way, please contact Julie McAferty via vpmembership@wbbg.com to express your interest.  We have open positions.

Sincerely,
President,
Bob Spencer
November
President's Letter
Annual Meeting
   Awards
   New Officers
Welcome New Members
Facebook Forum
Associate Members

 
Meeting 2014
Download presentation from the 2014 Meeting from our website. Visit the Members Only section and choose Member Resources.
Check Out some quick clips from our 2014 Annual Meeting
2014 Awards and Recognition
This year we recognized several of our members for their contributions to the WBBG and the inn keeping profession.

Special Acknowledgments

Jill Britt, Quality Assurance Advisor received a Special Acknowledgment for her dedication to the guild not only in her duties as QA but also for her role as ambassador for the guild and the industry.

Awards of Excellence

Susie Goldsmith, Boreas Bed & Breakfast Inn, Long Beach,
 was recognized for her continued dedication to the guild and her willingness to work to improve WBBG while running a busy B&B and holding a full-time job outside her inn.  



Ana Lena Melka, Shafer Baillie Mansion, Seattle, a quiet and generous supporter of the guild, was recognized for her continued support through her assistance in planning our annual meetings and generously hosting annual as well as regional meetings in the past.




Gary Gabelein, Farmhouse B&B, Whidbey Island, was recognized for his great working relationship with those in his region as well as his faithful attendance to our board meetings.



Superlative Achievement Award
This award is presented to a member who has demonstrated sustained leadership, energy, creativity and initiative symbolizing the Guild's mission and standards of excellence.  

This award was given to Penny Whisler, Three Tree Point B&B, Seattle.  Penny served as Co-President for one year and then "volunteered" to take on VP of Marketing.  She is an enthusiastic board member and supporter of our industry, serving on numerous planning committees including the Annual Meeting.  


Sam Hanes Award
This award is presented to a member for sustained contributions and lasting positive effect on the 
WBBG and the inn keeping profession.  The award is given in the honor of Sam Haines, who gave his energies tirelessly as Area Representative and Treasurer and Consummate volunteer and whose creativity and leadership set very high standards for Guild governance.

Don Malatesta, Inn at Mallard Cove, Olympia, was awarded the Sam Haines Award this year.  Don served as the treasurer for 5 years and was dedicated to saving the guild money and staying on budget.  His careful financial voice of reason insured the board did not overspend. Don regularly attended WBBG Board meetings, even joining us once from an airplane at 30,000 feet.   Most memorable, though, were Don's Treasurer's Reports at each annual meeting. Whether dressed as Uncle Sam or being taken away in handcuffs, Don believed that the Treasurer's Report was about more then dry numbers!
Our WBBG 2015 Officers
Here is the WBBG Board of Directors for the coming year:

President:  Bob Spencer, Meritage Meadows, Redmond
Secretary:  Teresa Luttrell, Enliven Bed and Breakfast, Kenmore
Treasurer: Angela Elgee, Angelsong Retreat Bed and Breakfast, Stanwood
Vice President of Membership:  Julie McAferty, Greenlake Guest House, Seattle
Vice President of  Marketing: Dave Petro, Ravenscroft Inn, Port Townsend
Area Representatives (
Position 1 (Olympic Peninsula) Bonnie McCullough, Selah Inn, Belfair.  Alternate: Olaf Protze, Red Caboose Getaway, Sequim
Position 2 (At-large, representing Volcano Country), Joanne Lechner, Eagles Nest Inn, Langley
Position 3 (Island) Gary Gabelein, Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast, Clinton
Position 4 (Wine Country) Alan Fielding, Cameo Heights Mansion, Touchet
Position 5 (Greater Seattle): Linda Dike, The Guest House B&B, Seattle
Position 6 (The Coast): Susie Goldsmith, Boreas Bed & Breakfast, Long Beach
Position 7 (At Large, Representing North Cascades): Cindy Lonn, A Harbor View Inn, Aberdeen
Position 8 (At Large, representing San Juan Islands) Carl Silvernail, Otter’s Pond Bed & Breakfast, Orcas Island
Position 9 (At Large, representing Eastern Washington) Penny Whisler, Three Tree Point B&B, Seattle
Positions 10, 11, and 12 are currently vacant.  

Are you interested in getting more involved as a volunteer with WBBG? Contact Julie McAferty VP of Membership or any board member!


 
New Members
Every inn needs great mattresses.  Research the bed as much as the breakfast!  Contact our newest associate member, Ed Baran, of Serta Mattress Co.  Questions about a great sleep for your guests?  
Email here.  
Welcome Gatewood Bed and Breakfast!  This 4 room BnB located in West Seattle was built in 1910 and after several owners, was purchased by Margaret Hayes in 1987.  She and her staff have created a haven in this historic home.   Check out their website here.

 
WBBG Member Forum on Facebook
Visit the WBBG Member Forum, our private group on Facebook. The Member Forum is a great place to ask questions and get support from other members. 
Recent posts included this question…. 

 

"I'm getting increasingly frustrated with Comcast's monopolistic practices (and with the cost I'm forced to pay for them). It looks like I can save substantially by moving to DirectTV or DishNetwork. Anybody have experience with them?"
or 

"We are thinking we need to update with Google to get better exposure.
Would you folks have suggestions how we might be able to do that when we're not computer savvy?"


If you are a member of the WBBG and want to participate, please contact Jill Britt at qa@wbbg.com, or Julie McAferty at vpmembership@wbbg.com.


 
Our Associate Members

                                                    Serta Mattress Co.
                                                                    Mattresses at wholesale prices
                                                                    Ed Baran
                                                                    edbaran@sertanational.com

                 
 _____________________________________________________________________
 
English Insurance Group
Bed and Breakfast Insurance
Kristie English

kristie@englishinsurancegroup.com
http://englishinsurancegroup.com
 
Greenwich Bay Trading Company
Speciality soaps and amenities for inns and B&Bs
Denise Huntley 

800-323-1209 
customerservice@gbsoaps.com
http://www.gbsoaps.com
 
Heartwarming Treasures
Specially designed gift baskets
Sue Wolfe
heartwarmingtreasures@yahoo.com
http://www.heartwarmingtreasures.com
 
Think Reservations
Reservation Systems
Richard Aday
richard.aday@thinkreservation.com
http://thinkreservations.com
 
Comphy Company
Quality Bed Linens
shantell@comphy.com
 
TRC Insurance
Bed and Breakfast Insurance
Scott Roberts
scott@trcisu.com
http://www.trcisu.com/
_______________________________________________________________________
 

 
Future of Flight
Tours of the Boeing Assembly Plant
info@futureofflight.org
http://www.futureofflight.org
 
Bed Voyage
Eco-Luxury Bamboo Bedding
Sharon Stuart and Val Thorkildsen
sharon@bedvoyage.com
425-949-8216
 
Seattle Video Tours
Video Marketing for the Travel Industry
matt@seattlevideotours.com
seattlevideotours.com
 
 Blue  Mountain M&A
Help Buying/Selling Lifestyle Properties
Bruce Perry
bperry@bluemountainbusiness.com
 
                                                                                                   Heart N' Soul Innsitting
                                                                                                   Interim Innkeeping
                                                                                                  gizlar3@w-link.net
Copyright © 2014 Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild, All rights reserved.


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