by Steve Short | Sep 8, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
Professional lodging conference time will be here before you know it. Which ones will you be attending?
Starting in late October, the Frictionless team will be packing their bags and hitting the skyways and the roadways.
Oct 30th – 31st Michigan B & B Association Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
Not only will we be exhibiting, Frictionless Founder & CEO Steve Short will tell the story of how to “Live Like a Local” by utilizing local partnerships that boost your bottom line.
Nov 1st – 3rd New England Inns & Resorts Association Conference, Rockport, ME
Steve will make his way to Rockport where he’ll introduce the Frictionless App to a host of independent lodging professionals.
Nov 7th – 9th Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference, Galena,IL
Diann Turner will travel to Galena and participate in a panel discussion spotlighting Midwest innkeepers, showcasing how local business partnerships magnify guest experiences and increase income.
Nov 12th – 15th Mid Atlantic Innkeepers Conference, Lancaster, PA
Diann will attend the Lancaster conference and delve deeper into how the Frictionless app transforms guest stays and skyrockets your profits.
Are you attending any of these conferences? If so, be sure to stop by our booth! We’re excited to assist lodging providers in redefining their businesses, increasing profits, and saving time.
After this whirlwind, we’ll be craving some turkey-time to refuel. See you there!
Steve Short, Frictionless Founder & CEO, and Randy Bangs of the Stewart Inn and Get Heads in Beds at the 2023 ALP Conference in Phoenix, AZ, discussing how the Frictionless App saves Randy lots of time.
Dr. Chris Gordon and husband Isaac Gordon, Owners/Innkeepers, of Go Getaway Bed And Breakfast in Munford, TN, explaining to Steve how excited they are to be using the Frictionless App.
Monique Greenwood, President & CEO of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns, stopped by the Frictionless booth at the 2023 ALP Conference to provide a testimonial about the power of partnerships and how the app helps her guests Live Like Locals.
by Steve Short | Sep 7, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
Do you ever find yourself wondering how to use certain features in the Frictionless App but can’t remember or aren’t sure where to start? Or do you simply want to reach out and say hi to fellow lodging professionals? Well, we’ve got some great news for you!
Join us for the 2nd Cup series of pre-scheduled Zoom calls, where you can get your Frictionless App questions answered.
The series kicks off on Tuesday, September 12th at 11:30 AM until noon ET.
Diann Turner will be there to assist and give instructions on how to utilize your app to enhance the guest experience and save you time! No sign-up required, the calls will be held monthly, so mark your calendars and set a reminder for the 2nd Cup Series!
It’s not only a fantastic opportunity to get your questions answered but also a way to learn from other lodging professionals who are creatively using the app.
Grab your favorite mug for that 2nd cup of coffee (or maybe even 3rd!) and hop on Zoom to connect with the community.
Whether you’re a seasoned user or a new one, you’ll find the 2nd Cup series a welcoming and informative space to enhance your Frictionless App experience. Diann is here to support you every step of the way.
So don’t miss out! Join us on Zoom for the 2nd Cup series and make the most out of the Frictionless App for your innkeeping needs.
See you there!
by Steve Short | Aug 17, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Marty and Carmel Etzel bought the Flag House Inn in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2017, with no prior experience or even informal knowledge of running a lodging business. In less than five years, they were able to more than double their bookings and sell the property for twice the amount they paid for it.
Marty discusses their journey, how they were able to accomplish this feat, and how he now parlays his experiences to help other lodging professionals as a consultant for Acorn Marketing.
We are very thankful to Marty for sharing his insights. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Jul 31, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Nothing quite entices guests to book better than high-end, professional photos of your property. Rather than relying on your mobile device for taking amateur photos, there can be a significant return to your investment if you hire a professional.
Tom Krueger is a professional commercial photographer who is focused on the independent lodging niche, and has deep expertise in making any property shine online.
We are very thankful to Tom for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Tom’s professional photographer services at tomkrueger.net.
by Steve Short | Jan 30, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
The independent lodging industry event of the year, the 2023 ALP Conference and Marketplace, will take place from February 25th to March 1st in Phoenix, Arizona!!
This event will bring together hundreds of Innkeepers, Licensed Short Term & Vacation Rental Owners, and Boutique Hotel Operators for days of learning, shopping, and networking with some of the brightest stars in the industry. And we will be there!
The Frictionless Guest App is proud to be a Silver Sponsor for the event, so we encourage you to attend and look forward to seeing our clients and future clients there. Please stop by our booth and say hello!
CLICK HERE to register today and we’ll see you in Phoenix!
by Steve Short | Jan 30, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) has undergone some significant changes recently, including bringing on Sarah Gazi as its new CEO, taking over for the former Interim CEO, E. Scot Fuller-Beatty.
Sarah has been in association management for more than 20 years and she envisions shaping a new direction for ALP through listening to its members and partners. The organization has already been expanding its membership, with a stronger focus around community and collaboration.
We spoke with Sarah, Scot, and Conference & Events Planner Erik Spence about the future of ALP, as well as the upcoming, can’t-miss 2023 ALP Conference & Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona, February 25th to March 1st.
We are very thankful to Sarah, Scot and Erik for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about ALP at alplodging.org.
by Steve Short | Jan 18, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Unbeknownst to many independent lodging professionals, Google Travel is playing a significant role in impacting booking by diverting potential guests from the Google Search into its online travel marketplace.
Lisa Kolb, Owner and Co-Founder of Acorn Marketing, discusses everything property owners need to be aware of about Google Travel for maximizing their bookings.
Acorn Marketing offers a comprehensive strategy for helping property owners to re-think traditional SEO and create new revenue opportunities with Google Travel.
We are very thankful to Lisa for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Dec 21, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Often the most significant business challenges can lead to true transformation. This was the case for Rita Sleys, owner and operator of the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast, who found her business at a crossroads.
In 2019, she sought out help from Randy Bangs, owner of Get Heads in Beds, which led to a renovation of her property, an update to the property’s website — and a complete re-focus on her approach to business. As a result, the property is thriving and has more than doubled its revenue.
We are very thankful to Rita for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast at rosemontinnbb.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 17, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
The Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association (MBBA) 34th Annual Innkeeping Conference is happening from Tuesday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 2, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Frictionless Guest App is looking forward to being there!
Speakers include innkeeping expert Carol Edmondson, who will be talking with new and aspiring innkeepers, and travel blogger Valerie Stimac (our latest podcast interview!), who will share tips to attract and connect with guests of all generations and provide them with the local experiences they crave.
To view the schedule and register to attend the conference go to the MBBA conference page. We hope to see you there!
by Steve Short | Oct 16, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Working with a travel influencer may seem like something only larger hotel brands can afford. In reality, independent lodging properties can also leverage travel influencers to increase visibility for their area and bookings for their property.
Valerie Stimac, a travel blogger and founder of Valerie & Valise, works with a variety of clients and offers an incredibly insightful perspective on how lodging professionals might best engage with travel influencers to benefit their property.
We are very thankful to Valerie for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Valerie & Valise at velisemag.com.
