The VA one doesn't include any sort of lodging - just the workshop? I kinda like the idea of the Ludington one - go, stay, and talk to 7 different B&B owners and see how each one runs their business..
The VA one is being held in conjunction with association conference. It is at the Boars' Head Inn and they can get lodging there as well. I also added this info to my original post. Sorry I left that out.
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But the lodging is on top of the $175/$275 you are paying for the workshop - thats an awful lot of $ for an aspiring (or anyone for that matter). I like the Ludington idea of having aspirings come to stay and talk about B&B's all day. I think it is a great idea if there is an area of several B&B's all together - of course that would mean all the owners have to get along and cooperate with one another.
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Actually, compared to some aspiring workshop prices I've seen out here, that's not a bad price at all.
But suellen, I agree with you. This is not your typical aspiring workshop but I really like the format they've chosen.
Because a big part of what a lot of the aspiring innkeepers hope to gain is the inside scoop on what innkeeping really is all about. Who better to hear that from than actual innkeepers who are not retired, not innsitters, but actual working innkeepers. What a great chance to learn from several of them all at once.
I think there's a lot to be said, too, for the nuts and bolts workshops.
But for an introduction to the field, I really like this unique format they're doing in Michigan. Good for them.
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