Schedule subject to change. Check back for more information.
Sun, Jan. 28, 2024
| 1:00 p.m. | Attendee Registration Opens |
| 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | InnSpire Welcome & Roundtables (20-Minute Mini-Education Sessions) Kick off the conference with our most requested session – our Roundtables! You will move from table to table to learn from 7 subject matter experts on a variety of topics from marketing to operations, generating revenue and more. You won’t want to miss our opening session, back by popular demand. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Opening Reception in the Vendor Marketplace |
Mon, Jan. 29, 2024
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Concurrent Education Sessions Navigating the new frontier of GA4 data – Presented by, Lisa Kolb, President & Co-founder, Acorn Marketing Navigating the new frontier of GA4 data! Are you seeing a whole new world of data? Have you compared the new GA4 data with last years UA data? Bring your questions and get satisfying answers at this Q&A style session. You will learn how to compare your old data with the new data, verify proper installation and tracking and how best to move forward using Google’s new tracking tools. Who should own your business after you? Employee ownership succession options for small businesses – Presented by Timothy Garbinsky, Communications Director, National Center for Employee Ownership Many business owners approaching retirement age find themselves without a viable succession plan. Family members are often not interested in taking over the business while the prospect of outside buyers carries the possibility of layoffs and a tarnished legacy. But what if there was an option that provided fair market value, protected, and rewarded employees, and rooted your business in the community? Employee ownership is gaining popularity as a succession planning option and presents a way to sell your business without selling your values. Attend this session to find out if one of the forms of employee ownership is right for you. |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Concurrent Education Sessions HR Investigations: The Good, The Bad and the Very Important – Presented by Jason Geller, Regional Managing Partner, Fisher Phillips San Francisco Join us to learn the good, bad, and very important on HR investigations. This interactive discussion will delve into not only how to conduct prompt and thorough workplace investigations, but also how to spot and prevent incidents of harassment, discrimination and workplace bullying before complaints arise. Learn how to improve morale and stay compliant with California laws through proper investigation planning, appropriate witness interviews, and thorough documentation to avoid falling into some of the most common (and often public) legal traps. How to Build the Perfect Guest Experience with SMS Messaging – Presented by Jeff Hebrink, rezStream Unlock the secrets to creating a flawless guest experience with the power of SMS messaging. In our session, we delve into the transformative role of SMS in shaping exceptional hospitality encounters. Join us to unravel the strategies that will revolutionize your communication, streamline operations, and exceed guest expectations. From personalized booking confirmations to real-time updates and tailored recommendations, this session equips you with the practical insights needed to optimize guest engagement, foster loyalty, and deliver an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your guest interactions through the effective use of SMS messaging. |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m | Concurrent Education Sessions Preparing for the Unexpected: Strategies for Disaster Preparedness – Presented by Brian Foote, BELFOR Property Restoration Are you prepared for a regional disaster? Join us for an eye-opening session on disaster recovery and learn how to safeguard your properties and get back on track. Discover the importance of being prepared for large-impact events, the impact of business interruption, and how insurance works in such situations. Through captivating case studies of hotel losses, we’ll illustrate the devastating consequences of being unprepared. Don’t miss this session that will inspire you to protect your business and bounce back from any regional event. Social Media Mastery: Unleashing the Power of Your Platforms – Presented by Sara Beth Ashbaugh, Director of Brand, Communications & Marketing, Woodside Hospitality Group Back by popular demand, Sara Beth Ashbaugh from Woodside Hospitality Group will share her success stories, help you solve the mystery of analytics, and offer tips, tricks and best practices to help you make the most of each social media platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your social media skills and create a story that resonates with today’s travelers! |
| 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Marketplace Opens & Lunch is Served in the Marketplace |
| 3:00 p.m. | Teatime in the Marketplace |
| 4:30 p.m. | Marketplace Closes |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30p.m. | Sunset Education Sessions Strategies for Revamping the Design of Your Inn – Panelists include: Jennifer Wojtkiewicz Owner/Principal Designer, Indigo Coast Design; Lila Boyce, Interior Design Lead, Anacapa Architecture; Kimberly Walker, Owner, Nomada Hotel Group; and Jim Roberts, Owner, The Madrones and The Brambles. Moderated by Ranee Ruble-Dotts, Founder/Creative Director, Paper Moon Creative When was the last time you revamped the design of your inn? Does it still shine and inspire travelers? Or is it starting to show its age? If the latter, come learn from a panel of interior designers and design-savvy hoteliers who have recently completed major renovations for B&Bs and boutique hotels. With styles ranging from Victorian to modern to eclectic, we’ll discuss how the designers breathed new life into aging properties and created higher demand among a broad set of demographics. We’ll cover strategies for revamping your inn in ways that are authentic to your property and smaller-scale design refreshes that go the furthest in impressing guests. Creating Impactful and Seamless Guest Experiences – Presented by Richard Aday, CEO of ThinkReservations Explore the transformation of guest interactions in modern independent hotels. Highlights include seamless booking processes, integrated text communication, digital check-in for faster arrivals, personalized upsell recommendations, and building guest loyalty through preference recognition. Discover the multifaceted approach enhancing guest experiences from booking to loyalty. |
| Dinner on Your Own San Francisco is home to some of the country’s top restaurants, and we will have some recommendations for you. |
Tues, Jan. 30, 2024
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Breakfast and CABBI Update CABBI/CHLA State Update Presented by A.J. Rossitto, Advocacy Director, CHLA and Jesse Geremia, Executive Vice President, CHLA Join us at our General Session breakfast on Tuesday to learn about some of the niche laws surrounding property operations and how to leverage the association resources you have at your disposal. Through CABBI, CHLA offers a myriad of compliance resources and information, as we discuss the laws and their requirements, we will connect many of the laws to the resources we provide to make your property operations even simpler. |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Concurrent Education Sessions Tool Time – Presented by Rick Anderson, former B&B owner and retired general contractor Are you looking to tackle some home repair and maintenance tasks on your own? “Tool Time” is the perfect opportunity to learn from an experienced retired contractor and former B&B owner, Rick Anderson. Bring your questions and curiosity, as Rick will provide guidance and insights into various DIY projects. Whether you need advice on fixing a leaky faucet, patching up drywall, or any other home improvement task, this event is designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to take on these projects yourself. Green Hospitality: Pioneering Sustainability in San Francisco – Presented by: Terry Haney, Presidio Lodging, John Spear, Hotel Drisco, Shangwen Kennedy, Owner, Inn at Moonlight Beach and moderated by Michael Pace, General Manager, InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is renowned for its pioneering approach to sustainability, and this session provides an insider’s look into two exemplary initiatives driving environmental responsibility in hospitality. This session will explore how Hotel Drisco has seamlessly woven sustainability into its operations, becoming a model for responsible environmental stewardship. Learn how Presidio Lodging’s dedication to sustainability is not just a mission but a way of life, intertwining responsible practices with exceptional guest experiences. Join us for an insightful session packed with strategies, success stories, and challenges faced by these trailblazing establishments. Discover how these leaders are reshaping hospitality by prioritizing sustainability for a brighter, eco-conscious future. |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Concurrent Education Sessions Strategies for Working with Social Media Influencers – Panelist: Kelly Chamberlain, Chamberlin PR , Amber Crofts, Content Creator, Bay Area Moms, Sara Beth Ashbaugh, Director, Brand, Communications & Marketing, Woodside Hospitality Group and Moderated by Aaron Danzig, Manager, Digital & Social Media Marketing, San Francisco Travel Are you seeking to collaborate with social media influencers to promote your property? Potential guests are just a click away from making a reservation now that it’s possible to book hotel rooms through the Instagram app. One photo – posted by the right influencer – can drive multiple bookings. Now more than ever, it’s imperative to know how to create these successful partnerships. Having worked with influencers daily for years, this panel will be sharing what they have learned. What You Need to Know to Serve Alcohol – Presented by Analyn Alabanze, Licensing Manger for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Can you serve wine, sell wine and do you need a license? Learn what you need to know, where to find this information and get your questions answered. |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch with Closing General Session Create a Moment, Earn a Memory – Presented by Darren Ross, CEO, Service Freak Hospitality LLC and proud operator of Magic Castle Hotel Darren shares his tips for providing guests with stories they’ll want to tell. “Listen carefully…respond creatively” has been Magic Castle Hotel’s motto for many years. With limited staff, increased expenses, and more competition, being creative with guest service is a very valuable tool. You won’t want to miss this closing session that will send you back to your property with great ideas on how to improve guest satisfaction. |
Schedule subject to change.