Our California Conference Schedule
Before you attend our B&B conference, be sure to check our schedule and plan accordingly! Have any questions about the schedule? Contact our team and we will be happy to answer any questions you have!
Schedule Subject to Change
Monday, January 26, 2026
| 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception (Informal Networking, No Host Bar) |
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
| 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:45 – 9:00 a.m. | InnSpire Welcome & Opening Keynote |
| Tracey Berkner, B&E Hospitality Group and Franck LeGrand, Travel + Leisure Co., InnSpire Conference Co-Chairs Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director, Sustainable Hospitality Management Program, CSU Monterey Bay An inspiring opening keynote from Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director of CSU Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management Program, will explore The Power of Place—and why it is one of the greatest competitive advantages for boutique and independent hotels. Drawing on research, real-world destination insights, and partnering for success, Dr. Viren will share how a strong connection to place—caring for people, community, and destination—drives guest loyalty, economic value, and long-term resilience in today’s hospitality landscape. | |
| 9:00 – 10:35 a.m. | Roundtable Sessions |
How to Elevate Your Busy Season Email Marketing Presented by: Jeff Hebrink, VP of Sales & Marketing, rezStream Explore the synergy between a robust lodging website and impactful email marketing for heightened brand affinity and increased bookings. Learn strategies for a high ROI, capturing audience attention, and boosting brand loyalty. Uncover the power of a well-crafted website and email campaigns for maximizing bookings during busy seasons Payment Processing and Chargeback, Hacker Attack, & Identity Theft Prevention…Explained in Plain English Presented by: Wynn Salisch, Casablanca Payments Credit card processing and data security can be confusing and ever-changing. This session explains, in plain English, how payments work, how to control costs, reduce chargebacks, and protect sensitive data using FBI- and Secret Service-recommended best practices. Valuable for everyone, it helps you safeguard your inn, guests, and staff from cyber threats. The Golden Tool – Barter Presented by: Rebecca Lucas, IMS Barter Enter the world of bartering and explore the potential benefits and challenges of this unique strategy. If it’s local trades or larger partnerships, this roundtable will answer questions you may have and spark fresh ideas. Blog, Buzz & Bookings: How to Get Featured Presented by: Ranee Ruble-Dotts, Paper Moon Creative Join us for a quick, insight-packed roundtable and learn how properties can be featured, what types of stories resonate with readers, and how marketing efforts help boost visibility for properties. Perfect for gathering practical ideas you can put to work right away. Turning Posts into Bookings: Social Media Successes from Mar Vista Farm and Cottages Presented by Cab Boettcher, Owner, Mar Vista Farm and Cottages For boutique properties, social media isn’t just a marketing tool — it’s a way to directly connect with travelers and showcase your property’s personality. Learn how Mar Vista Farm + Cottages uses platforms like Instagram and TikTok to highlight unique experiences and share guest stories all while creating bookings. | |
| 10:45 – 11:20 a.m. | The Taste of Success: F&B Strategies That Work |
| Presented by: Brandon Ristaino, Good Lion Hospitality, Blair Foster, Inn at Newport Ranch, Scott Schneider, Noyo Harbor Inn, Adam Mali, Sage Hospitality; Moderator: Tracey Berkner, B&E Hospitality Group From first sip to final bite, your F&B program can shape the entire guest experience. This session serves up real-world strategies to wow guests, tighten operations, and grow revenue—while incorporating those all-important surprise-and-delight moments that set your property apart. See how boutique hotels are leveling up menus, partnering with local makers, and delivering unforgettable culinary touches that keep guests hungry for more. | |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Sip & Stay: Navigating Shifts in Wine Tourism |
| Presented by: Wes Rhea, Visit Lodi, Frank Filice, Sonoma County Tourism, Dr. Paige Viren, CSU Monterey Bay, Alex Marin, Asilomar Hotel & Conference Grounds, and Scott Caraccioli, Caraccioli Cellars As wine tourism evolves and visitor expectations shift, boutique operators have a unique opportunity to lead the market by cultivating high-impact strategic partnerships with wineries and other local artisans. This session uncorks practical strategies to attract today’s travelers and provides concrete examples of how successful hoteliers are currently building these powerful alliances to elevate the guest experience. You will walk away with an actionable roadmap for positioning your property at the heart of California’s wine culture to drive shared value and strengthen regional tourism. | |
| 12:15 – 3:15 p.m. | Lunch & Marketplace Shopping Time |
| 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Fireside Chats in the Marketplace 1:00 – 1:30pm – Discussion on operating challenges, cost pressures, staffing challenges. Moderator: Linda Stokes, The Victoria Inn 2:00 – 2:30pm – Discussion on pricing strategies, marketing, promotion, events. Moderator: Derek Eddy, The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa |
| 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. | Attendee Breakout Sessions |
Ask an Innkeeper Presented by: Tracey Berkner, B&E Hospitality Group, Derek Eddy, The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa, Cab Boettcher, Mar Vista Farm + Cottages, Linda Stokes, The Victoria Inn Get candid, real-world advice straight from experienced hoteliers. This open Q&A session is your chance to ask about operations, marketing, guest experience, staffing or anything else that keeps your property running smoothly. Bring your questions and walk away with practical insights from those who’ve been in your shoes. Hotel Keys, Codes & Consequences Presented by: Matt Karp, Petra Risk Solutions Hotel Keys, Codes, and Consequences is an essential briefing that unveils the severe vulnerability of the “Unsaflok” keycard and its practical implications. We explain the nature of this flaw, why publicly available proof-of-concepts raise the risk, and which vendor mitigations reduce exposure. Furthermore, we look at two alarming hotel incidents in Austin that vividly demonstrate how routine operational oversights — from encoder handling to CCTV and issuance workflows — can turn into technical weaknesses into a real-world security crisis. | |
| 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. | Attendee Breakout Sessions |
Navigating New Labor Laws Presented by: Jason Geller, Fisher Phillips In this session, learn about the latest California labor laws and practical strategies for compliance, managing your team effectively, and avoiding common pitfalls. Sports Tourism Playbook – What Fans Want and How Hotels Can Deliver Presented by: Megan Edelman, Hotel Market Partnerships, Expedia Group Sports tourism is scoring big across California, bringing waves of fans, families, and teams to destinations year-round. This session breaks down what today’s sports travelers are looking for—from convenience and community to unique local experiences—and how boutique hotels and inns can step up to meet the demand. Learn winning strategies to attract group bookings, partner with local events, and turn game-day stays into repeat visits. | |
| 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Evening Reception at A Taste of Monterey |
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast Education: Why Independent Hotels Might Save Hospitality |
| Presented by: Dina Belon-Sayre, President, STAYPINEAPPLE Independent hotels are redefining the future of hospitality by leading with authenticity, creativity, and deeply personal guest experiences. In this session, explore how independent properties can leverage emotional intelligence, community connection, and flexibility to stand out in an increasingly commoditized landscape. Learn why this approach positions independents to drive the next era of hospitality success. | |
| 9:05 – 10:05 a.m. | AI in Action: Transforming the Boutique Hotel Experience |
| Presented by: Jessie Fischer, Founder, GuestOS, Lance Thompson, SAVI and Josh Graham, Head of Marketing Development, Cloudbeds Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of hospitality—from personalized guest interactions to smarter operations and data-driven decision-making. In this dynamic panel, industry innovators share real-world examples of how boutique hotels are using AI to enhance service, streamline workflows, and elevate guest experiences. Discover practical tools, emerging trends, and actionable insights to help your property stay ahead in the era of intelligent hospitality. | |
| 10:10 – 11:05 a.m. | Boutique by Design: Emerging Trends in Development and Conversion |
| Presented By: Jeff Sweat & Sunny Cannon, Owners, The Weller House, Pierre Bee, Account Executive, Standard Textile, Elaine Smith, Associate Principal, BAMO Moderator: Ranee Ruble-Dotts, Marketing and Creative Directory, California Hotel & Lodging Association The boutique hotel landscape is shifting fast—and the properties that win are the ones that evolve with it. This panel brings together industry leaders to reveal what’s driving the next wave of boutique development, how smart conversions are transforming existing spaces, and the strategies turning design and operations into competitive advantage. Walk away with fresh ideas and actionable insights to create distinctive, revenue-ready properties that stand out and capture today’s traveler. | |
| 11:10 – 11:55 a.m. | Creating Community Connection: How to Thrive in the Offseason |
| Presented by: Tracey Berkner, Rest, a boutique hotel, Janine Chicourrat, Portola Hotel & Spa, Victoria & Matt Meblin, Inn at Occidental & Rhiannon Eddy, Owner, The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa When guest traffic slows, your local community can become your most valuable audience. This session explores creative ways boutique inns and B&Bs can build connections through partnerships, events, and local engagement. Discover how collaborating with nearby businesses, hosting experiences, and spotlighting local culture can keep your property vibrant—and your bookings steady—all year long. | |
| 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch, Branding Reveal & Closing Speaker |
| Game On: Preparing for California’s 2026 Sports Boom Presented by: Lynn Carpenter, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Visit California California is gearing up for a wave of major sporting events in 2026 and beyond, creating opportunities for boutique inns, small hotels, and independent properties to attract new guests. This session provides an overview of upcoming events, along with practical strategies for planning, marketing, and preparing your property to capitalize on the influx of sports travelers. Learn how to position your property, create targeted packages, and engage with fans to drive bookings and enhance guest experiences. | |
Schedule Subject to Change