Posted by: Mae Mayeux

An enormous amount of helpful information was presented in a one-day Louisiana Bed and Breakfast Association Annual Conference held on July 12, 2017. Innkeepers were all in agreement – it was an educational, informative and fun day. The Best Western Forest Inn in Franklin, Louisiana was the location for this year’s conference.

The first event of the conference was an innkeepers’ dinner held on July 11, 2017 at the Atchafalaya Restaurant at Idlewood in Patterson, Louisiana. Fellow innkeepers enjoyed time together to network and share common (and often funny) stories of their innkeeping experiences.

The conference began on Wednesday, July 12th. Vanessa Spinella with Cajun Coast CVB welcomed the attendees, which consisted of innkeepers from all over Louisiana, vendors, and speakers. The LBBA was happy to welcome four aspiring innkeepers to the conference. The annual conference provides a great deal of information for those interested in opening a bed and breakfast.

The first session was a round table discussion, “Ask the Veterans”. This lively discussion, held at all annual conferences, was an informative and interesting segment offering advice to innkeepers from their peers. Next, Joseph Dunn with Laura Plantation spoke about “How to Work with International Wholesalers”, which helped clarify information that was puzzling to many innkeepers about attracting international travelers. Charles Waltman with the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA), who has been a speaker at the last 6 of the LBBA’s conferences, gave some great tips about “Marketing Strategies for Your B&B”.

A delicious lunch, sponsored by the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission, was served by Forest Inn, while Buddy Boe with the Louisiana Office of Tourism gave an update on the state’s tourism projects.

The afternoon session consisted of Joana Larson with the American Society for Asset Protection explaining “How B&B Owners Can Become Invincible to Lawsuits and Save Thousands in Taxes”. The final speaker for the day was Bryan Fontenot of Brown & Brown Insurance Company who explained the “State of the Property Insurance Market”.

Sponsors and exhibitors at this year’s conference were Cajun Coast CVB, Acadia Parish Tourist Commission, American Society for Asset Protection, Louisiana Perspectives Marketing & Consulting, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, Brown & Brown Insurance Company, and EKKO Bioscience. The LBBA thanks all our sponsors for helping to make this conference possible and spending the day with us.

After an annual association meeting, it was time to relax and have fun! Attendees caravaned to Oak Lawn Plantation, the home of Governor Murphy “Mike” and Alice Foster. Their beautiful home is filled with treasures like nowhere else and the tour guide, Mary, makes the tour a lot of fun.

The evening was concluded with a Tour of Fairfax House and seafood dinner prepared by Chef Al Kuhlman and co-sponsored by Cajun Coast CVB.

See you next year!

Joseph Dunn, Laura Plantation

Charlie Waltman, LTPA

Buddy Boe with the La. Office of Tourism speaks

Buddy Boe, Louisiana Office of Tourism

Joana Larson, American Society for Asset Protection

Bryan Fontenot, Brown & Brown