Department of Tourism
Bed & Breakfast Asssociation to Host Seminar for Aspiring Innkeepers

The Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky (BBAK) will host its 15th Annual Convention at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 6-8, 2005. The convention will offer an Aspiring Innkeepers Training Workshop, a trade show, educational workshops, annual meeting, and banquet. Pamela Lanier will speak about "State of the Bed and Breakfast Industry--An Industry Comes of Age."
 
This year's event will be larger than ever and provide workshops taught by professionals in the industry. The workshops will include "Internet Marketing", "Learning from Experience", and "Public Relations: Creating Public Awareness for Your Bed-and-Breakfast Inn.”
 
Members and former BBAK Members will not want to miss the 15th Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Monday, Nov. 7.  There will be dinner, an awards presentation, live entertainment and dancing at the Marriott's Bluegrass Pavilion on the Golf Course.
 
Vendors who are interested in having a booth and exhibits at the trade show are invited to go to the BBAK web site, www.kentuckybb.com, or call Todd Allen, BBAK President, at 859-336-3075 for registration forms and additional information.
 
In an effort to promote agritourism and preserve family farms in Kentucky, the Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky will be hosting a one-day Aspiring Innkeepers Training Session as part of its annual convention. The session will take place at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This unique workshop will be conducted by professional trainers, featuring an introduction to the B&B Lodging Industry, overall business planning, setting up business operations, guidance related to housekeeping, and marketing and promotion of your new B&B.

Educational training manuals, materials, handouts, lunch, and refreshments are included in the Training Session Fee of $149 for the first person and $99 for a second person. There will be a special emphasis on Kentucky Farm Stays involving a panel of experienced Farm Stays Innkeepers for a question-and-answer session. Attendees will receive a discount for the BBAK Annual Conference on Nov. 7 and 8, 2005, offering further educational workshops, industry speakers, and a B&B Vendor Trade Show. For more details about the training session or the conference, please visit the BBAK web site www.kentuckybb.com or call Todd Allen, BBAK President, at 859-336-3075.
 
Since tourism ranks as Kentucky's third largest industry, contributing billions of dollars to the economy, while agriculture earned $4 billion in direct farm gate sales and indirect sales of at least $25 billion, BBAK created a new Statewide Agritourism Trail called "Kentucky Farm Stays." Agritourism is an excellent way to educate the public about the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the economy and quality of life.
The Kentucky Farm Stays Program was created to encourage agritourism, which is defined as any business conducted by a farmer to provide enjoyment or education of the public, to promote the products of the farm, and or generate additional farm income. Agritourism is a way to preserve the family farm and green spaces by opening it to the public as a bed-and-breakfast inn, a winery or ranch where visitors may purchase farm products, a plant nursery, a place to eat a meal, or take part in farm activities or entertainment. Through this program, farmers are able to diversify their operations and sources of revenue.

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