12 CALIFORNIA LODGING NEWS www.calodging.com ON JANUARY 28TH, CABBI held its annual InnSpire Conference & Marketplace. This event was held for the first time at the Marriott Walnut Creek centrally located in the Bay Area. The event opened with keynote speaker Christine Trippi, The Wise Pineapple, who was not only engaging and full of energy but gave our attendees customer service tips and tricks and empowered them to “Say Yes.” The next two days were filled with more education, the marketplace, and lots of networking. Monday night everyone was shuttled downtown to different restaurants to experience Walnut Creek then came back to the property for a nightcap and more networking. The marketplace was filled with over 30 vendors that included everything from insurance, credit card processing, PMS systems, to robots. On Tuesday, the day was packed full of education starting with a demonstration breakfast by Chef Mark Berkner and his wife Tracey Berkner, who own Rest, a boutique inn, Volcano Union Inn & Pub, and Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar. Tuesday closed with CHLA’s President + CEO Lynn Mohrfeld giving a legislative and legal update. He then sat down and had a frank discussion with Renee Ruble-Dotts, the owner of Paper Moon Creative, and discussed guest amenities and how to wow your guest with first impressions. Ruble-Dotts, who writes the CABBI Travel blog, has visited over 150 inns throughout California. The conference was a success and we are all looking forward to next year! Chef Mark Berkner preparing for his demonstration breakfast. The InnSpire Marketplace always has the latest products and services; such as the hospitality robot on the cover, from RobotLAB Group.
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