NEW MEXICO BED AND BREAKFAST ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Devonshire Adobe Inn, Albuquerque, NM
May 2, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER at 12:40 pm
II. ROLL CALL – Sign-in sheet attached. Introductions made around the room. 22 inns represented.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Motion made to approve agenda as presented; Seconded, Carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 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.
V. REPORTS
A. TREASURER’S REPORT presented by Steve: Handed out a Treasurer's Report reflecting fiscal year to date which is July 1 through May ’07 and pointed out that so far we are $6,510 under budget. In addition, Steve presented a report that reflected 2006 actual, 2007 actual and proposed 2008 budgets. Steve pointed out that it is new that he added the cooperative ad into the budget and probably next year will see a decrease since we will have printed directories in the previous year. The budget for membership is based on 57 Inns.
This year we started our 3-year inspection cycle which estimates inspections at $140 each. The Co-op ad is estimated. A suggestion was submitted that what does not get spent on Marketing, we should spend on Education since we are an educational organization and a request for ideas was sent out. A question was asked if we subsidize PAII attendees. Answer – we will pay the fee for the Leadership Meeting at PAII. The next PAII meeting is at Disneyland April 6–10, 2008. In the NMBBA packets handed out to today’s attendees is a copy of the sessions that were offered at the recent PAII meeting. Suggestion for everyone to look over and order any sessions that are appealing.
Mindy encouraged the group to recommend any local or NM vendors that the Inns use to become Associate Members of the Association.
A discussion followed regarding how the Association can develop their relationship with the NM Wine Grower’s Association. Steve reported that we have not been able to get a special use wine license for B&Bs, but maybe we can work with the NM Wine Growers and try to pursue that avenue. Steve reported that the budget is balanced and we have dollars to spend, but need to keep $15,000 - $18,000 on hand to pay big bills that come in. The question was asked if we can use part of the $34,000 to subsidize a co-op ad. Answer – No, the association cannot subsidize a co-op ad unless 100% of the member inns participate. Question – Can we use Association monies for generic ads. Answer – yes.
Becky explained that she would rather pick a new publication to advertise in than do a duplicate ad in the NM Magazine.
B. MARKETING REPORT Becky. Report handed out and discussed as follows:
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2006-07 Co-op Grant period included ads in Sunset, New Mexico Magazine and AAA New Mexico Journey. The theme of our ads is “We Know New Mexico’s Secrets . . . and We’re Telling All!" We’ve had a good response with this slogan and will continue it in 2007.
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Current supply of member directories will last thru end of 2007. Goal is to reprint every 12-18 months. A listing of member inns that corresponds w/printed directory is available for download from the NMBBA web site. This list is always up to date with any changes submitted. Any member who has changes should e-mail them to info@nmbba.org so the list can be updated.
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Directories are in all of the Visitor’s Centers and supplies are available at the meeting for members to pick up if needed. Becky requested anyone who is passing a Visitor’s Center to please stop in and make sure they are displaying the 2007 directory. She also reminded the membership that directories are mailed to anyone requesting one via e-mail, by telephone or persons requesting information on NMBBA via a Sunset, Vacation Guide or NM Journey reader response card. Becky said that the Sunset Magazine ad targets exactly who we want and these people have the money to spend. The NM Magazine ad targets folks who want to come to New Mexico.
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Soon information regarding the 2008 New Vacation Guide will be sent to membership. The rate has been constant at $325 for the past 5 years, but we have fewer member inns this year, so the price may increase. Becky will look at options which may include decreasing the size of the Ad. She pointed out that the least expensive ad is $1900 so $325 for a co-op ad is very good and that without our participation in this ad, it would not have been possible for us to collect the grant money.
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Anyone that wants reader response names should let Becky know. Becky will email a sheet showing all the stats out to the membership.
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Becky is working on the Department of Tourism application for the Co-op Grant funds that will be awarded in late June or early July. The process is very subjective. Last year we received $11,000 and hope to do well again this year.
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Sarah reported that Becky has a listserv set up so a member can email every member, Albuquerque members, Santa Fe members, Taos members, the Board, etc. Also, the minutes, By-Laws and Standing Rules are available for members on the website.
C. MEMBERSHIP REPORT handed out and presented by Sarah Dolk as follows:
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As of 4/30/7, we have 58 NMBBA member inns and 5 Associate members.
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Lost several inns in 2006 due to properties being sold, some others are for sale, so the decline in membership may continue.
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Two member inns returned to NMBBA.
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One new member – The Heritage House in Albuquerque owned by Steve and Kara Grant.
- There are many new B&Bs in NM, some of which do not fit our criteria and standards, others Sarah will be inviting to join. Sarah sent around a list of known B&Bs and asked present members to make notes on them.
D. STANDARDS REPORT presented by Sue for Lisa Kwas.
Sue handed out a Standards Report and reported:
No complaints for 2007 or gift certificates handed out.
There were 37 Inspections completed in 2006 from July through December
There are 17 Inspections scheduled for Santa Fe and the Northeast for 2007. Some of these listed were on the list last year, but will get caught up this year.
Pointed out that the Inspection list is available on nmbba.org and there is one new item – pillow protectors.
For the benefit of new members, Sue explained the Complaint / Gift Certificate system and policy.
All members were reminded that even though there is only a physical inspection every three years, each Inn is still responsible and required to send in all pertinent paperwork with dues.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Becky is still working on the translator function for the nmbba.org website. Discussion followed regarding what languages we really need and it was decided that France and German are the more pertinent.
B. Eileen told the group about a new magazine called “Japanese Wellness & Travel”. Casa del Rio had a cover story and several pages content.
C. Mindy asked if anyone is going to Tourism Week in Albuquerque. Mindy will explore.
D. Sue told the group that Rio Rancho has no Bed and Breakfasts and will not let any in.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Steve said that we are at an interesting point where the Association may be able to start exerting some influence (rather than just advising) and recommended that we need to have representation on the TANM Board, NMLA and talk to the Wine Growers’ Association.
B. Discussion followed on wine licenses for B&Bs. There is no place to buy a bottle of wine in the Albuquerque Old Town area. Walt suggested having wineries come and do tastings at B&Bs. Mindy and Steve thought it might be good to just get our foot in the door by creating a relationship with these entities. The questions was asked if we, as an Association, have any governing power over the B&Bs who are serving wine. Answer – No.
C. Sarah reported on the TANM conference she attended at Acoma. There is a new advertising campaign for NM – “The Best Place in the Universe – New Mexico, Earth”. The website is www.newmexicoearth.org. She reported that NM has increased their advertising budget, but it is still the smallest in the SW. NM has hired an agency, which decided to go for Shock Value and is going to totally new markets, i.e. San Diego, Minnesota, St. Paul. They are doing a story book commercial with a constant character of an alien and focusing on the scenery, recreation and diversity of NM.
A discussion followed regarding gorilla marketing, which is repetitive large print marketing to reach masses of people, i.e. billboards on buses, in malls, etc.
Sarah reported that there was an AAA rep at the conference who said that large numbers of people are coming from California and Texas. Per capita, California has more members than any other state.
Sarah reported on a panel discussion on small budget marketing where they heavily emphasized internet marketing, pushed gorilla advertising, and talked about looking at a partnership with National Geographic.
TANM has 3-4 gatherings a year and we should start having 2 or 3 reps at each meeting.
D. Next Meeting is November 7 & 8, may be in Artesia at the Heritage House, for sure in the southern half of the state. A request was put out for speakers / programs. Dallas reported that he has spoken with Lisa Cobb at Acorn. Lisa would be a speaker for travel expenses only and she has a broad gamut of expertise that would benefit our membership.
E. Question asked if the NM Magazine Bed and Breakfast Cookbook is being reprinted. It appears to be very popular, but requires a lot of corrections.
VIII. Motion made to adjourn the meeting; seconded; carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cynthia Spence, Secretary
