Conferences & Learning
Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference & Trade Show
Exhibitors – Information and separate registration can be found HERE.
December 3rd, 2024 – December 5th, 2024
(Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
*Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar – Monday, December 2nd, 2024*
More information on the Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar can be found HERE
Holiday Inn & Suites Bien VenU Event Center
7400 Hudson Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Holiday Inn & Suites Bien VenU Event Center Website
Innkeepers, register now for education, networking & best practices as we continue to expand our conference.
The conference will have a variety of topics pertinent to innkeeping today. Together with our industry experts, vendor partners, and other innkeepers, we will explore the issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience, grow our business, and be the best innkeeper we can as we balance it all!
How would you like to WIN a complementary Design Critique of your Inn (valued at ~$1,980.00) by Küster Design? To be eligible to win, you must register and pay for the conference by the Early-Bird deadline. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Conference Pricing:
Register Before August 1st, 2024 for Early-Bird Pricing!
First Attendee – $265
Each Additional Attendee – $215
Regular Pricing – After August 1st, 2024
First Attendee – $299
Each Additional Attendee – $249
**Optional Evening Event – Wednesday, November 4th – “Taste of Iowa”**
Per Person – $60
Complimentary Transportation To/From the Bien VenU Event Center to our Downtown Events:
– The Black Hawk Boutique Hotel – Tour this local, historic, and second longest operating hotel in the United States
after learning about its history and story from our speaker!
– “Taste of Iowa” Dinner at Urban Pie – Urban Pie offers a relaxed setting where laughter flows as freely as the conversation. Come as you are, and leave with a satisfied heart, a full stomach, and a smile.
– Holiday Hoopla – Located in the park next to Urban Pie – Holiday Hoopla is the Cedar Falls Downtown District’s annual, month-long celebration. The month of December offers activities, shopping, holiday contests, and a dazzling light display!
You Don’t Want To Miss This Fun Evening Out!
Conference Schedule Outline*
- Monday, December 2nd – Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar, 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Tuesday, December 3rd
- 11:00am-5:00pm -Registration Opens
- 1:00pm-3:00pm – Hands-On Personalized Vendor Workshops
- 3:00pm-5:00pm – Welcome and Round-tables (Innkeepers & Vendors)
- 5:00pm-6:30pm – Vendor Marketplace and Opening Cocktail/Appetizer Reception
- 6:30pm – Dinner on Own
- Wednesday, December 4th
- 8:30am-12:00pm – Speakers
- 12:00pm-1:30pm – Marketplace/Lunch
- 1:30pm-5:00pm – Speakers
- 5:30pm – Off-Sight Event (Transportation to/from hotel, Black Hawk Boutique Hotel Tour, “Taste of Iowa” buffet dinner, entertainment)
- Thursday, December 5th
- 9:00am-12:00pm – Speakers
- Refreshment Break at Vendor Marketplace
- 12:00pm-1:00pm – Door Prizes/Goodbyes
*Subject to change
Conference Speaker Session Hightlights To-Date
- Catering to Today’s Travelers, Embracing Your History, Staying True to Your Brand
- The Guest Experience by Design Critique
- Steps to Nirvana: Preparing Your Inn for Short or Long Term Sale
- How Innkeepers Are Successfully Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Breakfast ~ The Midwest Ways!
- Choosing The Right Packages & Specials For Your Inn
- Support Local ~ Partnerships to Increase Your Profitability
- and so much more!
Flights
- Cedar Rapids, IA – Located 1 hour away from the hotel and event center – Eastern Iowa Airport
- Waterloo, IA* – This is a small regional airport with limited flights to/from Chicago. See their website or call for information. – Located 6 minutes away from the hotel and event center – Waterloo Regional Airport
- Des Moines, IA – Located 2 hours away from the hotel and event center – Des Moines International Airport
Overnight Accommodations
We are pleased to have chosen Holiday Inn & Suites Bien VenU Event Center! Onsite amenities include on-site restaurants, sports bar, an indoor pool, free wi-fi, and many activities in the local area to enjoy!
Special Conference Room Rates at Holiday Inn & Suites
$129.00/night – tax & gratuity not included
Room choices include: One King Bed Premium or Two Queen Beds Standard
Please use the booking link below to book your stay* at Holiday Inn & Suites:
Book Your Stay at Holiday Inn & Suites*
*You must start the booking process and input your reservation dates in order for the group rates to appear.
Make your reservation today!
*All attendees are responsible for their own overnight accommodations. If you need a handicap accessible room, please make the reservation online and then call the hotel at 1-877-666-3243 to ask to be moved to a more accommodating room.
Payment Options
Payment for attending the conference is accepted via PayPal/Credit Card with completed registration. You do not need a PayPal account to pay by credit card (via PayPal).
Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference Cancellation Policy
Should a conflict arise, you may cancel your registration with full refund up to 7 business days prior to the conference or November 22nd, 2024. After that date, refunds are not possible. You must put your cancellation in writing to the MWInns offices directly at info@mwinns.com.
Check back often as our page is continuously updated!
Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference Sponsors & Exhibitors
This event is sponsored in part by:
Cedar Falls Tourism
6510 Hudson Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-268-4266
visit@cedarfallstourism.org
https://www.cedarfallstourism.org/
Gold Sponsors
Logan Marketing
Jeff Logan – Chief Marketing Officer
Emily Wachsman – Chief Executive Officer
9509 North Town Drive
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
360-808-7452
accounting@loganmarketing.com
www.loganmarketing.com
Logan Marketing has over 30 years of experience designing websites and building a successful online presence for the hospitality industry. We are experts in internet marketing, implementing a broad range of products to help you achieve success.
Silver Sponsors
Casablanca Payments
Wynn Salisch – Principal
243 W 104th Street #4E
New York, NY 10025
203-253-7259
wynn@casablanca-ventures.com
https://www.mpiprocessing.com/wynn
Casablanca Payments was founded by a 50-year hospitality industry veteran and specializes in providing innkeepers with both savings and highly personal and responsive White Glove Concierge Service tailored specifically to the lodging industry. If your processor is charging too much or relegating your support calls to anonymous call centers, talk to Casablanca Payments and see what a difference caring people with years of actual lodging operations experience, and a processor that won the Better Business Bureau’s Ethics Award, can make.
Küster Design
James Kuester – Principal
333 N Alabama St Ste 350
Indianapolis, IN 46204
866-904-6631
james@kusterdesign.com
https://kusterdesign.com/
Küster Design provides full service interior and guest experience design services for commercial, healthcare, and residential settings. Whether you’re interested in improving your customer experience at work or reflecting your personality and style at home, Küster Design can help.
Conference Exhibitors
The Insurance Shop of East Jordan
Nicole Skrocki – Owner
824 Water St
East Jordan, MI 49727
231-350-0416
nikki@theinsuranceshop.net
https://www.theinsuranceshop.net/
Leaders in developing insurance programs for the Bed & Breakfast industry, The Insurance Shop has been helping innkeepers in Michigan and Wisconsin with affordable, comprehensive coverage for decades. We look forward to working with MWInns members to find the policy that is right for your Inn.
Midwest Association of Independent Inns
Kerri Thiel
206 Jefferson Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
715-942-8180
kerri@mwinns.com
www.mwinns.com
Stop by our booth to learn about the Midwest Association of Independent Inns (MWInns), the newest regional association working with all the Midwest States and working to help support its members with a full range of services. This includes powerful Marketing designed to bring more guests to your inn and a proven and positive ROI. See why an investment in MWInns pays dividends in currency, competency, and confidence. Let us help you build your business for the long term.