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NEW MEXICO BED AND BREAKFAST ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Bob Cat Inn, Santa Fe, NM

November 8, 2006

I.   CALL TO ORDER at 12:40 pm

II.  ROLL CALL – Sign-in Sheet attached.  Introductions made around the room.  24 inns represented.

III.   APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Motion made to approve agenda as presented; seconded; carried.

IV.  APPROVAL OF MAY 2006 MINUTES.  Reminder that membership is requested to read minutes prior to meeting, which are available online. Motion to Approve w/no corrections; seconded; carried. (Final Count for dinner conducted)

 

REPORTS

A.   MARKETING REPORT presented prepared by Becky and presented by Sarah. Highlights as follows :

• Matching grant of $11,000 received from NM Dept. of Tourism

• The 2007 Vacation Guide Ad completed with 45 participating Inns

• Print Advertising included Sunset Magazine, AAA New Mexico Journey and New Mexico Magazine with the continued theme of “Secrets”

• 15,000 copies of membership directory printed w/ 2007 on cover and distributed

• Contact Becky if want reader response names

Discussion regarding Marketing:

• Can we quantify “bang for buck” in the Sunset Ads.  Answer – The Reader response cards are indicative and very usable.
• Any discussion on broadening spectrum to a younger crowd?  Answer – If anyone knows of magazines that target specific demographics, let Sarah know.
• Online Marketing – not included in the report, but have website, pay-per-click.  Answer – Steve explained that we are on the 1st page and in the top 5 of any search engine you search. We are not in online magazines and we spend $1,200 a year for ppc.
• Reminder that the Stash Tea deadline is this Friday, it was sent out to membership. Belinda described the program for those not familiar.

 

B.   MEMBERSHIP REPORT by Mindy

The Association lost 6 Inns this past year, Cinnamon Morning and Dancing Bear are both closing and Hacienda Manzanal is on the market for sale, but have one new Inn (Chocolate Turtle). The Tourism Association of New Mexico (TANM) agreed to waive our member fee in exchange for becoming an associate member of NMBBA. There are currently 58 Membership Inns and 4 Associates. Anyone needing new NMBBA Directories should see Mindy.

 

C.   TREASURER’S REPORT presented by Steve

• Reminded membership that our Fiscal year is now 7/1 through 6/30; this change will be easier and have no effect on tax year.
• There is a deficit projected for 2007, but this is ok because the vast majority is going to Marketing which is doubled. The deficit is because of lost Inns.
• Brochures – we are waiting for the Invoice
• There is $35,873 in the bank and $26-$27 of that amount is ear-marked
• Pointed out that the $538 in Actual YTD on Directory Reprint is for artwork

General discussion followed regarding the marketing $$s. Steve explained that we show up very well on searches. Sarah briefed the group on the research she has done to see if there is anywhere we can spend more $ on marketing and get value. Steve was in agreement that the difference in internet and print marketing appears lop-sided, but we don’t know where else to advertise. It was voiced that print advertising drives people to the website and Mindy reminded us that the $ spent on print is available to us via matching grants / funds, so we have to do the print. There are hundreds of websites, but there are only about 10 that really produce the results. It was suggested that we do more with Golf links. Questions posed if we have tried to link up with different Clubs or Special Interest groups, i.e. bicyclists, motorists – Sarah said to submit any of those to her and she would check them out. It was suggested to add an “Event Calendar w/ links” on the NMBBA website. Sarah suggested that it might be a good idea for us to think about someone doing the Internet Marketing separately. It was suggested that we try to identify the top 10 reasons for visiting NM and post that on the website.

 

D.   STANDARDS REPORT presented by Lisa Kwas

• Two complaints submitted this year, but no certificates issued.
• Inspections are behind and Lisa is looking for help to complete Inspections by end of December.
• Made a proposal to Change the way the Association handles Inspections. A committee was formed at the last meeting to review the process and is making the following proposal:

The committee’s proposal is that the inspections be every three years with fire report, health certificate for food service, license, tax certificate, and proof of liability insurance to be mailed or emailed to the Standards Chair every year. An overnight is needed within the first year of entering the association. No other overnights will be required unless complaints against the inn warrant a detailed inspection. Inspectors will be paid mileage equal to the federal rate for all inns that are not in the Albuquerque area including Edgewood, Cedar Crest, Placitas, Corrales, Algodones and Bernalillo or if the inspector does not live in the Albuquerque area then mileage will not be paid for inns within a 30-mile radius of the inspector’s home.

The following provisions must be met for an inn to qualify for an inspection once every three years:

The inn must have been in operation under the current ownership for more than two years.

The inn is a NMBBA member in good standing (current on dues payment, etc.) and has passed an NMBBA inspection without any major deficiencies and has annually provided proof of fire and health inspections and proof of current insurance coverage.

There have not been any guest complaints against the inn during the past three years.

An inspection within the year would occur for inns changing ownership, inns receiving major deficiencies during an NMBBA inspection, and inns not submitting proof of inspections and/or insurance annually. This procedure would also require the NMBBA inspector to define recommendations for improvements as “major” or “minor”. Inns receiving guest complaints concerning safety or cleanliness issues would be inspected within 2 months of the complaint.  Except for inns changing ownership, the inn would be responsible for the re-inspection fee and mileage for the re-inspection.

Discussion followed and it was agreed that Standards and Liability of the Association are the issues at hand. There is a newly revised Inspection Checklist (available on website) reflecting the “major / minor infractions”.

Question posed regarding Gross Receipts clarification and it was explained that this means proof of registration with the state. Another question regarding clarification of Environmental / Health Certification was explained that this is applicable IF it is required by the area in which the inn is located.

A MOTION was made to accept the new Proposal to change the Standing Rules on Inspections; seconded; carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.   By the end of 2006 there will be a “Translator” feature on the NMBBA.org site.

B.  Discussion regarding whether membership wants vendors to be present at our meetings.  The consensus was “no”, but products are welcome.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  Nominating Committee – New Slate presented.  MOTION to accept. 2nd Carried.

B.   Steve from Scarborough House reported on the TANM (Tourism Association of New Mexico) / Governor’s Council on Tourism Conference he attended in Ruidoso.

There was an emphasis on the value of the Arts Message. They reported that th number 2 reason for people to come to NM is the Arts. He suggested that we really should attend these events to learn how NM is marketing itself and how we can piggyback on those efforts. Next year the TANM Conference will be in Albuquerque.

C.  Penny from Las Poblanos briefed the group on the Folk Art Market that will be in July 2007 and the marketing that we are “the creative center of the US”.  She reported that $100,000 is being devoted to this and will be matched by the Governor.

D.  Nancy reported on the Corrales Main Street happening and recommended the Association collaborate by doing B&B packages across the state.

E.  Steve recommended to everyone that they attend the PAII Conference.

F.  John reported that the Rio Rancho area is exploding and told everyone about the Santa Ana Sports Complex.

G.  The Parlor Car said that they will be having three Christmas Trains this year.

H.  Sarah reported that you can buy $5,000 block of miles from American Airlines and then give sky miles to guests at about 100 miles per inn. She recommended that everyone go to the American Airlines Reward site and look at it. If someone uses a Rewards card at our Inn, it is unqualified and is 3%. She recommended that everyone talk to their processor about the Cost Plus program.

VIII.    Motion made to adjourn the meeting; seconded; carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:59 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Cynthia Spence, Secretary