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 Opens |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Attendee Welcome Reception (Tentative) |
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 |
| 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 and Adam Mali from Sage Hospitality; Moderator: Tracey Berkner, Rest, a boutique hotel 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, President & CEO Visit Lodi, Frank Filice, Vice President Marketing and Brand, Sonoma County Tourism, Brandi Lombardi, Executive Director, Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director, Sustainable Hospitality Management Program, CSUMB; As wine tourism evolves and visitor expectations shift, boutique inns and B&Bs have a fresh opportunity to stand out. This session uncorks practical strategies to attract today’s travelers, forge powerful local partnerships, and keep your property at the center of California’s wine experience. | |
| 12:15 – 3:15 p.m. | Lunch & Marketplace Shopping Time |
| 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Fireside Chats in the Marketplace |
| 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. | Attendee Breakout Sessions |
Ask an Innkeeper 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 |
| 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 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 |
| 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