Snow in Portland - Cause for poor bookings?

We have had a considerable number of Christmas/New Years cancellations due to weather in Portland and throughout the Willamette Valley. Please note: Property owners will receive income for the cancelled reservation and the guests will receive a credit to stay for the same number of nights (during the off season only) at the original home they booked.

This may also be impacting future bookings for January and February and we hope that once conditions improve in the Valley we will see an increase in bookings for that period.

This is a photo of a neighborhood in Portland - for people that live in the snow every year, this doesn't look like much at all. But for a city that does not have the resources to clear snow effectively, this little bit of snow causes a lot of chaos.

How are winter bookings doing?

Central Oregon as a whole is not doing well this December (see article below). Sunriver has definitely seen a drop in business this month and may continue to see a drop as we progress into 2009.

The good news is 2008 was a strong year for Bennington Properties, thanks to January, February, and the Summer months. We will end the year 3 nights per property higher than 2007 (2007 = 106 nights, 2008 = 109 nights). Currently our overall number of bookings for December equal last years numbers but compared to the numbers quoted below for the rest of Central Oregon, we are happy to be where we are. There are, however, a few of our homes that have no bookings for this month, and we know those homeowners are feeling the effect of the economic downturn more than others.

We currently have 36% more summer bookings than we did this same time last year. Lets hope that trend continues.

The first part of 2009 on the other hand is not looking great. Currently we are down approximately 35% for the first three months. We hope the snow and the inauguration of a new president will help boost bookings as we progress through 2009.

We have also had a considerable number of cancellations due to weather over Christmas, however property owners will be paid as if the guests came..and then the guests will have a full year to use their “credit” in the off season at the original home they booked.

Excerpt from December 21st article in the Bend Bulletin.
"Holiday Tourism Forecast: Chilly"
Written by Jeff McDonald.

Last week’s snowfall could entice some procrastinating holiday planners to trek to Central Oregon for wintertime fun, but early lodging industry projections predict a double-digit drop in bookings for the critical two-week holiday period that begins this week.

That’s the word from the Central Oregon Visitors Association, which surveyed its lodging partners last week in advance of the holidays.

Regrettably, the news isn’t real good,” said Alana Audette, COVA’s president and CEO, after hearing results of the survey and speaking with lodging property owners. “Across the board, properties are down significantly. … It is pretty startling."

Most businesses are down in the 10 to 20 percent range compared with the same period last year, Audette said.

The situation reminds her of the holidays after Sept. 11, 2001, when many Americans hunkered down with families, simplified their lives and avoided travel.

The slowdown in overnight lodging could affect other parts of the region’s economy, including restaurants, ski rental shops and other businesses, Audette said.

"It is brutal for the tourism industry and it is indicative of what’s going to happen around the nation,” Audette said.

The downward projections started with the Thanksgiving holiday bookings, which also fell double-digits, Audette said.

We have a new logo.

We have been working for almost a year on creating a new look for Bennington Properties. We consulted a professional "Branding" company here in Bend to help us through the process and the first thing they did was start us on the long, difficult process of redesigning a new logo. Well, we are finally done and here it is. Our original logo will of course still be in use for some time until we can slowly phase it out with the new logo. Next on the agenda to redesign is our stationary, business cards, and the big one - our website.

What to do with your Christmas Tree

BOY SCOUTS WILL PICK UP & RECYCLE HOLIDAY TREES – Boy Scout Troops 36 & 76 of La Pine will be offering holiday tree pickup in Sunriver on Dec 27th & 28th and again on Jan 3rd & 4th. For a donation of $5 per tree, the Scouts will pick up holidays trees at curbside and recycle them for compost. Wreaths, garlands & decorated trees will not be accepted. Call 541-385-3935 to arrange for tree pickup.

"Winter Nights" - Village at Sunriver

VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER TO HOST WINTER NIGHTS – Village at Sunriver will host a Winter Nights event on Jan 17th & 18th (MLK weekend). On Saturday, Jan 17th, Village businesses will be asked to stay open until 8 pm to participate in an “Art, Wine and Cocoa Walk.” Organizers hope that businesses will offer refreshments to patrons as well as the chance to meet local artists, musicians and authors. Sunday, Jan 18th, will feature a “Twilight by Firelight,” 5 to 7 pm next to the Village Bar & Grill. Visitors can snuggle up next to one of the fire pits, enjoy a beverage and listen to the melodic jazz sounds of local band Smudge. Other weekend activities include ice skating and a snow play area in the Village. Info 541-385-7988.

Winter Advertising Efforts

http://www.yahoo.com/

http://www.google.com/

The Oregon Trip Planner provides the nuts and bolts to planning a trip in Oregon:

1. How to get from A to Z - detailed maps and travel planning resources

2. What to do - attractions, events and activities

3. Where to stay - The Oregon Trip Planner includes a comprehensive list of lodging properties throughout Oregon, including listings provided by the Oregon Lodging Asssociation.

4. Where to go - In-depth profiles of Oregon's seven regions and special niche itineraries.

The Oregon Trip Planner is distributed at all nine official state welcome centers, several of the major airports in Oregon and more than 100 visitor centers statewide.

This is the front and back of a postcard we are mailing out this winter to attract business during January, February and March.

Our Sunriver Scene Ad.

www.PetFriendlyTravel.com

And the snow keeps on coming.

There is currently about 14 inches of snow in Sunriver and about 52 inches of snow on Mt Bachelor. The current forecast shows snow falling every day from now until New Years throughout Central Oregon. It's going to be a white Christmas this year.

Our plowing contractors have been busy plowing homes before arrivals. Here is a driveway that has yet to be plowed.

Sunriver Sledding Park.

Sunriver Needs New Pools

Will you be in Sunriver during the holidays? If so, please join your neighbors at one of two Owner Forums hosted by the Amenities Task Force. Members of the task force will share information with you about our need to replace the North and South pools. They will also share some options developed by consultants who evaluated our aquatics facilities and envisioned future community amenities. You will have a variety of opportunities to share your thoughts and suggestions regarding the future of our pools.

What: Sunriver Owner Forums
When: Saturday, Dec. 27, 6 pm or Tuesday, Dec. 30, 6 pm
Focus: Sunriver's aging aquatic facilities
Location: SROA Administration Building, next to the fire station

We are currently working on dates for additional Owner Forums in Eugene, Salem, and Portland in late January, and are considering forums for Seattle and the SF Bay area. If you would like to attend one of these out-of-town events, please let us know by e-mail at infosroa@srowners.org. Your response will help us secure a facility of adequate size for each forum.

Sunriver Mall sold.

New purchasers pledge to meet with stakeholders and craft a plan that ensures the Village will remain a vibrant community center.

A group of private investors with local ties to the community acquired the Sunriver Village mall on Friday, December 12.

"The investors are committed to the long-term prosperity of Sunriver Village. The transaction came together quickly and the investors do not yet have any specific plans for Sunriver Village," wrote Shelli Petersen, a member of the new management team, in an e-mail that was read aloud during the SROA Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13. "We look forward to meeting with the board and discussing the future redevelopment plans of the village."

"There will be a meeting with key stakeholders in the near future to craft a plan that ensures the Sunriver Village will remain a vibrant community center. The investment group looks forward to being a part of the Sunriver community," Petersen wrote.

Single Digit Temps. in Sunriver

With the snow this weekend came a very sudden drop in temperature. We are seeing below zero temperatures in some areas and single digits in the rest. Today we will be raising the temperature in every home to 75 degrees and making sure that all cupboards to sinks on outside walls are open to get that warm air circulating around the pipes. During these cold times we will keep a constant eye on your home, both physically (by going in house) and through our temperature monitoring system.

We take Safety very seriously.

Safety is often the last thing property owners think about until an accident happens. Then it is the only thing they think about. Accidents are rare, but we (the property owner and Bennington Properties) need to do everything we can to prevent them. Know your risks and be prepared. It is in Bennington Properties' best interest to do everything we can to remedy safety concerns, but ultimately it is your - the property owner's - responsibility to ensure your property is safe for paying guests. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from possible accidents:

1. Make sure you talk to your insurance agent. Many property owners don't share with their insurance agents that they have a "vacation rental" not a "second home" or "long term rental." These are major differences in the insurance world. If you have your home insured only as a "second home" you may not be covered if a guest gets injured. Talk to your insurance agent today to make sure you are adequately insured. ***(Please make sure, if you have not done so already, to add Bennington Properties, LLC. as "Additionally Insured.")

2. Our insurance agent recommends no less than $1,000,000 liability coverage. Starting in 2009, we will require that all new homes to our program have at least $1,000,000 in coverage.

3. Every time you visit your home you should be thinking about safety. If the thought crosses your mind "could this be dangerous?" - don't wait, fix it. We will help you the best we can, but don't rely on us. If you ask us to fix something that is of safety concern give us a deadline and make sure we confirm that it has been done within that time frame.

4. Anytime you hire an independent contractor make sure they show you proof of Workers Compensation insurance if they have employees. If an employee gets hurt doing work at your home and the employer does NOT have worker's compensation insurance, then the State of Oregon will come after you to help pay for medical treatment for their injuries. (Bennington Properties carries workers compensation on all of our employees).

5. Always be on the look out for new safety hazards. Ask yourself questions, like; "What if there was a fire? What would happen if a young child was playing here?" etc.

Here are some of the things we have done recently to help protect your property and to help make it safer:

We have recently completed our Fall winterizing process. This includes a property “walk around” and safety inspection. We have removed any garden hoses to prevent freeze damage and installed missing foundation vents. Deck furniture and BBQs were moved into the garages of many of the homes. The safety inspection is targeted at potential hazards and preparation for the Winter season. We have placed a 5 gal. bucket of cinders at each house so the guests may use these for traction. We will also be closely monitoring those homes with numerous steps to the front door. Snow shovels have been supplied as needed.

In addition to the above, all of the furnaces have been inspected by a licensed heating contractor (unless notified otherwise by the owner) and the fire alarms in each home have been brought up to current standards.

If you are concerned about the safety of your property, please let us know immediately. Thank you for your cooperation. Gene Bennington gene@benningtonproperties.com

Mt Bachelor is OPEN!!!

Mt Bachelor opened today for the first time this season. Only two lifts were operating (Pine Martin Express and Sunshine Accelerator). It turned out to be a beautiful day on the mountain with the sun shining through for most of the day, and just a light cloud cover. Very cold though (temps in the signal digits) and the base still needs a lot of snow to cover up the rocks and trees still poking through. Overall it was a great first day (lots of energy and excitment).

Here is a photo on the way up the mountain this morning.

It's great to finally see skiers on the mountain. I heard complaints about exposed rocks, but for the most part it seemed everyone was happy to be hitting the slopes.

This shot was taken at about 2:00. Only a quarter of the parking lot was full.

The SNOW has arrived!!!

Mt Bachelor has received 16" of snow over the last 24 hours. Their is discussion of opening day being tomorrow (Sunday), however the snow is dry and light and with the high winds there is significant drifting occuring that way slow their ability to open. Either way, there is more snow in the forecast and the mountain will hopefully be opening soon, if not tomorrow. Current conditions: http://www.mtbachelor.com/

Pine Martin Express - Saturday, December 13th, 12:30 PM.

It's nice to see the white in Sunriver again.

Housekeeping Inspection

We were fortunate enough to come across Judy Patton in February of 2007. Judy has extensive experience in housekeeping and came to us with quite the distinguished housekeeping career. Her career has taken her to such places as Telluride, Colorado. In Telluride she cleaned and inspected luxury ski resort properties owned by such notable people as Donald Trump. Judy has an incredible eye for detail and a zeal and passion for housekeeping that you don’t see in many people. We are fortunate to have her on our staff and you are fortunate to have her watching after your home.

- Robert W. Bennington

Housekeeping Inspection by Judy Patton

As an inspector at Bennington Properties my main responsibility is to maintain a certain standard of cleanliness in your home. This basically means that after housekeeping is done with the cleaning I or another inspector will go in your home and do an inspection. It has been said we are the icing on the cake, the cake would probably be good without the icing but with the icing it will be outstanding. The inspector is there to ensure that nothing was missed or left behind by the housekeeper. This really helps catch things when the housekeepers are very busy or if they are just having an off day. It is a second set of eyes that ensures we give our guests the best experience possible.

We are also responsible for “staging” your home for the guest. This is a process where we go in the home before the guest arrival and create a certain ambiance. We leave on one or two lights, turn on some light music, and turn up the heat. Our guests love showing up to a home that is warm and inviting for them.

As lead inspector I take a lot of pride in my work and I care a lot about protecting and caring for your home, as I would want someone to care for my home. I expect and encourage my inspectors and housekeepers to also take pride in their work and to remember that we are in the people business and our bottom line depends on the kind of experience we offer our guests.

Judy Patton
Direct: 541-593-0415
Cell: 541-948-3033
judy@benningtonproperties.com

How do we do 24/7 reservations?

In an effort to provide live, round the clock service to those calling to book reservations, Bennington Properties partners with Navis – a company which fields our overflow and after hours calls 24 hours a day. Navis agents serve as direct representatives of Bennington Properties and as such are able to book all of our homes. They are trained to answer calls just as we would and they are all experienced in the booking process. Since a great many people call after work or in the evening to reserve their vacation home, this has been an invaluable service. Navis is based in Bend, Oregon and recently, in an effort to familiarize them with Sunriver and our homes, we invited 5 agents and their Quality Assurance Manager to join us for a day.

Our tour began with a home on the south end of Sunriver. We then drove past the south pool, the Great Hall and then made our way to the Sunriver Lodge. Many in the group had never been to Sunriver so a brief tour of the lodge was a must. From there we proceeded to the Village where everyone was treated to an espresso at Hot Lava Baking and Coffee Company. After seeing all the Village has to offer, we proceeded to visit a variety of our homes throughout Sunriver. In addition to the homes, our tour featured Fort Rock Park, the golf courses, the north pool, and the marina. We finished with a tour of Caldera Springs which included a visit to one of our homes and a stop at the Lake House and the Quarry Pool. Following our excursion, we met at the Bennington office to debrief over Blondie’s Pizza. There, we reviewed our rules and regulations and gave the Navis staff a chance to spend time with our own Vacation Planners.

From all feedback we have received, the trip was a huge success. Navis agents left with a much greater knowledge of Sunriver, our homes, and all the area has to offer. The result: they will now be much more effective in promoting Bennington homes and the Sunriver experience. Our goal with such trainings (now planned to be conducted quarterly) is to give Navis agents the tools and the knowledge to effectively represent our homes and area and to ultimately lead callers to a decision that will result in a rewarding vacation experience – one that will keep them coming back for years to come.

Here is the whole gang (Navis and Bennington).

Our linen program saves you money!

How much is it costing you to not be on our linen program?

We asked Midstate Electric, an appliance distributor, and Sunriver Water to supply us with figures to determine what it costs to do a load of laundry. We estimate that it costs you approximately $1.00 per load. It takes the average home 3-4 loads to complete the laundry and with 30-40 reservations per year it costs you approximately $90 to $160 to do your laundry annually.

We also analyzed the cost to purchase and replace your own towels and linens by using Costco prices. There needs to be at least 3 full sets of towels and linens in a rental property so an average sized home that sleeps eight will require approximately $1200 worth of linens (3 x $400). A conservative attrition rate is about half of one set, once a year. That equals an average of $200 of replacement costs per year (1/6 x $1200 = $200).

So you are spending approximately $290 to $360 more per year by not being on our linen program.

Even if you only were spending $200 on attrition and laundering, after 5 years, you will have spent $1000. This same home could join our linen program for approximately $440, saving close to $600 over five years.

That doesn’t include any potential revenue you could be losing by not consistently having high quality linens in your home.

Here are 5 more reasons to join our linen program:

1. Linens provided to guests are more consistent in quality and condition.
2. Housekeepers now have more time to clean your home instead of doing laundry.
3. A centralized laundry facility provides a more efficient, consistent and sanitary method for cleaning sheets and towels.
4. Wear and tear of your washer/dryer is decreased.
5. Owners no longer have to worry about the replacement of linens that become soiled, damaged or just worn out.

Questions? robert@benningtonproperties.com

Don't miss December in Sunriver

December in Sunriver can be a lot of fun. If you are planning a visit this month, don’t miss the over 150 activities planned at the Lodge for this years Traditions.

“Breakfast With Santa” is a fun tradition for families returning to Sunriver each season. Instead of a rushed visit to Santa at the mall, kids and their families have a fabulous breakfast at the Great Hall, and end with a leisurely visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This year, even Frosty the Snowman joined the gang, but snowmen aren’t as chatty as Santa.

Below are pictures of Aleshanee (Shawnee) Nikita (daughter of Deb and Daniel Nikita) at “Breakfast with Santa” and “Gingerbread Junction”. I hope she didn’t sneak too many candies off of the gingerbread houses!

For more information on “Traditions” activities and schedule, visit: www.sunriver-resort.com/traditions/program-of-events.php

Article written by Deb Nikita (deb@benningtonproperties.com)

Shawnee working through her long list for Santa (if you look closely, you can see she is counting all her gift requests on her fingers). Below Shawnee is mesmerized by the Gingerbread Junction (good girl, hands to your side).

Get your Sunriver Coupon book! - $15

The Sunriver Chamber of Commerce has put together a coupon book that is being sold for $15 by many of the businesses here in Sunriver this holiday season. 100% of the proceeds go to help support the Sunriver Chamber of Commerce, a vital partner in helping to keep Sunriver businesses viable. The coupons range from discounts on lodging and dining to groceries, hardware, and shopping. If you plan to visit Sunriver any time between now and May (coupons expire May 31, 2008) this coupon book is definitely worth your $15. Call us today to reserve your coupon book. We will add the $15 to your statement and have a book waiting for you on your next visit. Scroll down to the bottom of this article to see the many ways you will save money with this coupons book.

The above image is the coupon Bennington is offering in the Chamber's coupon book (click on the image to enlarge it). This is just one of many efforts we are taking to try an increase bookings for the coming year. We will be splitting the $35 cost of the gift certificate with the property owner (it will be deducted out of the base rent). We will also be honoring our competitors coupons (coupons cannot be used together). Most of the other property management companies are offering 10% off (only one is offering a "stay for 4, pay for 2").

Buffalo Girls - free gift
Central Oregon Adventures - 10% off Snowmobile Tours or Rentals
Crooked River Dinner Train - $10 off each fare
Family Fun Zone - $2 off any attraction (Bumper Cars, Mini-Golf, Ice Skating, etc)
4 Seasons - One free ski wax
Hammer Time Home Center - 10% off total purchase
HerbaLife - 10% off all weight loss and fitness products
Hot Lava Bakery - Free cookie with purchase of Specialty Coffee Drink
Hummingbird Art Gallery - 20% off all in stock matted photographs
Marcello's Restaurant - 10% off food purchase
Pellerito's Pizzeria - 10% off
Signature Imports - $10 off any purchase of $25 or more
Sunriver County Store - 10% off purchase (excludes alcohol and tobacco)
Meadows at the Lodge - Free Dinner Entree w/ purchase of an Entree
Sunriver Sports - 20% off "Sunriver" & "Mt Bachelor" hats, tees, & sweatshirts
Sunriver Sports - $10 off complete ski or snowboard tune up
Sunriver Sports - One free hot wax
Village Bar and Grill - 10% off all food and non-alcoholic drinks

Great marketing for Sunriver

Bennington Properties has been actively involved with the Central Oregon Visitors Associations (COVA) for the past two years working closely with the association to enhance their specific marketing of Sunriver. In June of 2008, we joined the COVA Board of Directors with the hope that we can use our leadership to enhance tourism in Sunriver. COVA has been and is continuing to do some exciting promotions for Sunriver and Central Oregon. If you have not seen the commercials they are running in Portland, visit www.getrealwinter.com and watch "Trailer 1" and Trailer 2." COVA has also created a website specifically to promote Sunriver. This is a beautifully done website that gives the visitor a clear idea of what Sunriver has to offer. www.visitsunriveroregon.com. COVA recently partnered with Travel Oregon and the Travel Channel to produce "Oregon Uncovered," a fifteen episode destination series that highlights Oregon to European travelers. www.primetravelsites.com/Video/oregon.wmv

www.getrealwinter.com

www.visitsunriveroregon.com

www.primetravelsites.com/Video/oregon.wmv

Travel Channel Europe "Oregon Uncovered" television series will be broadcast to 48 million households across Europe, including those in Oregon's targeted markets of Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.