WYOMISSING, Pa. — Pauline Milwood, assistant professor of hospitality management at Penn State Berks, recently shared her expertise in the hospitality field with the Pennsylvania Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns (PABBI) at their Educational Conference for Innkeepers and Aspiring Innkeepers, held Nov. 14–15 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in State College, Pennsylvania.
In her keynote presentation titled “Rethinking the Road to Revenue: Innovative Revenue Management Strategies for B&B Entrepreneurs,” Milwood explored the many issues faced by B&B entrepreneurs and explored innovative revenue management strategies for profit optimization and sustained competitive advantage in the medium-to-long term.
Milwood explained, “Hospitality revenue management is currently no bed of roses for bed and breakfast (B&B) entrepreneurs in the evolving post-pandemic and inflationary climate.”
She also highlighted the importance of perceived fairness in rural B&B price-setting amidst the popularity of Airbnb and expansion of hostels into large cities; even as the industry is positioned for growth owing to increases in domestic and inbound travel by U.S. and non-U.S. visitors, and the number of baby boomers entering retirement.
A 2011 Fulbright scholar and graduate of Temple University's School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Milwood has 25 years of managerial experience in Jamaica’s hospitality sector. Her research focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation, social innovation performance, and destination management organizations (DMOs) in tourism destination networks.
About The Pennsylvania Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns
The mission of PABBI is to elevate and grow the bed and breakfast industry in Pennsylvania by providing support, guidance, and education to innkeepers; building strong relationships with key industry leaders, and lobbying for state laws and codes that fairly deal with the needs of innkeepers and guests.
About the Penn State Berks Hospitality Management degree
The hospitality industry is a major economic driver in the Berks County area, and the hospitality management baccalaureate degree program is offered in response to the demand for graduates with degrees in the hospitality field. Penn State Berks is the only campus outside University Park to offer a degree program with the entrepreneurship option. The hospitality management degree program helps to prepare students for management positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other hospitality organizations. It also provides a sound background for students who plan to pursue graduate studies.