Members in WIIN are Inspected and Approved
Washington Independent Inns Network or WIIN is Washington's only statewide organization dedicated to bed and breakfasts and other small independent lodging properties. Our mission statement is "Member Success through Education, Advocacy, and Connection."
2023 Member Benefits and new initiatives prepare us to create lasting success!
Membership Benefits
- Use of the WIIN Logo, our quality seal of approval on your website, social media, newsletters and print materials.
- Become a Washington INNSider: Share your extensive Travel Expertise! WIIN provides one of the most active consumer- facing lodging & travel information websites in the state at www.waINNSiders.com. This customer-facing brand exclusively serves member properties to better promote themselves, increase commission-free direct bookings, and provide “INNSider“ Information” for travelers seeking Washington as a destination.
- Port of Seattle Tourism Promotion/Advertising: WIIN has received generous grants from the Port of Seattle in order to drive tourism to our state from Colorado, Texas, and Georgia. It launched in Spring 2021. A substantial Google text ad campaign encourages travelers from those states to visit waINNSiders.com to plan their Washington getaway, and book directly at our premier member Washington Inns. We continue to see upticks as we continue these ad campaigns.
- Certified Food Protection Manager: WIIN has paid to train and certify three CFPMs to provide resources to all of our members. This saves individual inns the time and money needed for this certification.
- Book Direct pricing and availability link from our website to your booking engine is now included with every membership. No need to pay a commission to OTA’s or keep a separate calendar or pay for a channel manager.
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Member-focused website at waINNS.com: This website focuses on member resources and news. This is where you apply for membership, access our extensive knowledge base and tips on Innkeeping, register for the annual conference, hear from our trade vendors, or renew your dues.
- E-Newsletters: Increase your hospitality intelligence with the monthlyt InnStep newsletter, full of information to keep you informed on the latest association events and news, legislative updates, marketing and continuing education tips.
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Travel Newsletter sent monthly to customer/guest subscribers and to those who purchase gift certificates; it includes travel-focused articles and links readers to waINNSiders.com and member websites.
- Social Media Blog Marketing strategy: WIIN members are becoming the Washington State Travel Experts providing relevant, valuable content to consumers with seamless “book direct” capabilities to every Inn member. Inns are rotated throughout the featured system with personal stories and travel input requested from Inn members regularly via our VP of Guest Connection and Regional Directors.
- Legislative Representation: WIIN’s Vice President of Advocacy works with government agencies and the Washington Hospitality Association to represent our members' interests ranging from enhanced permitting to health department interface and regulations to even the playing field with unlicensed short-term rentals.
- WIIN Gift Certificates: The association sells $7-10K in gift certificates annually and has over $40K of certificates sold and available for redemption at any one of our member properties. Unlike most gift certificate programs, ours are redeemed at 100% of face value and are promoted in our travel newsletter. Gift Certificates never expire and can be used at any member inn. Fast & easy redemption via the waINNS.com member only site!
- Annual Conference and Regional Gatherings: Keep up-to-date via continuing education at our annual conference and regional gatherings in your area. Meet and network with innkeepers from around the state and bring back valuable business information for your inn. Members always get a discounted rate at the conference. The 2023 Conference, themed "Better Together: Creative Collaborations" will be held at Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Union on November 13-14.
- Associate Members: Business vendors and service providers can educate and inform member inns, gain professional contacts and sales opportunities with space provided in monthly InnStep newsletters. Associate members can produce video infomercials to be seen on the Member website all year, and this provides a vehicle to offer support and periodic specials to all WIIN members. They are also given a table for participation in the Vendor Trade Show at the annual Conference every November. $250 annual membership fee.
- Member Support: WIIN online member forum via an active private Facebook page to support communication between member innkeepers within our state. Ask questions, get support, network with other members, and share stories, successes and dilemmas.
- Discounted Washington Hospitality Association Membership Benefit: Join WHA with a special discounted Corporate Membership. Benefits include government affairs advocacy, education resources including the HERO business resource manual and many discount programs including healthcare and credit card processing. Optional WHA Membership is $225 annually.
Criteria for WIIN Inn Membership:
- Inn members can include properties such as independent (non-franchised) inns and boutique hotels, farms stays, home stays, as well as traditional bed and breakfast (no national hotel chains). Serving complimentary breakfast is now optional as criteria.
- Located within Washington State
- Appropriately licensed and insured
- Innkeepers living on or in close proximity to the property (no vacation rentals)
- Meets WIIN's Standards of Membership including passing a scheduled inspection and an average Trip Advisor rating of "4" or higher
The cost of Innkeeper membership is a great value: Dues as low as $449 per year!
- A one-time $149.00 inspection and processing fee, due at the time of application.
- Yearly membership dues are $499 per year, with $50 discount for a commitment to volunteer on the Board or an active Committee for a min. of 20 hours/yr
- Dues are prorated from October 1.
- Incentive future discounts given for serving on the WIIN Board and Committees.
- Optional discounted membership in the Washington Hospitality Association for just $225 more per year
- Member rate for Annual Conference and Trade Show
HOW TO JOIN: Become an Official waINNSider Travel Expert!
The best and most efficient online application is found by clicking the Inn Membership tab in the list to the right side of the website www.waINNS.com. Download our Membership Criteria (Standards of Membership). The fastest and best way to reach WIIN is still online via the Contact page.
E-mail questions for membership to: vpmembership@wainns.com
2023 VP of Member Connection: Julie Szmania
Mailing address: Washington Independent Inns Network (WIIN)
2442 NW Market St., Suite 155
Seattle, WA 98107 (Contact phone: Julie (509) 662-5683)
Aspiring Innkeepers, Industry Suppliers, Out-of-State Innkeepers, Inn Employees and Retired Innkeepers who support the B&B Industry can join WIIN too:
Businesses that offer products or services to the B&B industry or that share the Guild's interest in promoting the industry, are welcome to apply for Associate Membership. $250 per year.
WIIN's Aspiring Innkeeper program is designed to meet the needs of Washington's future innkeepers. Many of our members who now own successful bed and breakfasts started as WIIN Aspiring Innkeepers. $199 for the first year and $99 for subsequent years.
WIIN's Affiliate Membership Level is for out-of-state B&B/Inn owners. employees of Inns, retired Innkeepers or any individual who shares the Network's interest in promoting WIIN. Contact vpmembership@wainns.com if interested. $99 per year dues.
