2018 has been a whirlwind. We celebrated our three year anniversary, launched a new and improved website, and welcomed many incredible customers from all across the world to the Odysys family. Keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’ve decided to dedicate this week’s blog post to all the things we are grateful for this year.
1. A Passionate Industry
Working in travel and hospitality makes everyday an adventure. At Odysys, we truly love playing a role in this huge, vital, and ever-changing industry. Doing our part to help innkeepers and customers connect and explore the world is always rewarding. Innkeepers are some of the most passionate, friendly, and interesting people we’ve ever met. The support you give both your guests and each other is incredible. The goodwill, camaraderie, and openness of the industry continues to inspire us every day of the year.
2. Unique Properties and Innkeeper Stories
One of the best things about Odysys is all the incredible properties the we get to work with all over the world. Whether it’s a treehouse in Vermont, cabins in Oregon, villas in the Costa Rican rainforest, or surfing hotels in Baja, Mexico, we are continually welcoming incredible new properties to the Odysys family. It is an honor to learn about such wonderful properties and listen to the fascinating stories of the innkeepers who have dedicated their lives to running them.
3. Industry Associations and Conferences
This year, we had the pleasure of traveling to many industry associations and conferences located all across the country. Industry associations and conferences are great ways to connect with innkeepers face to face, tell them about Odysys, and learn new ways we can continue to improve. This year alone, we’ve attended:
- Michigan Bed & Breakfast Association
- Washington Bed & Breakfast Guild
- Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association
- PAII
- Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild
- AIHP
- Chicago Bed & Breakfast Association
- Midwest Tristate Conference of Innkeepers (Missouri, Iowa, Illinois)
- Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky
- Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association
4. Fixing Big Problems With Technology
At Odysys, it's no exaggeration to say we are some of the biggest tech-nerds you’ll ever meet. We think technology has the power to greatly improve society and help make the world a better place. As customer behavior and expectations change, it is necessary for the hospitality industry to adapt along with it. That’s why we are always looking for new technologies that will help the industry and our customers continue to grow and thrive. We know it can be stressful to stay up to date with the newest technologies, digital marketing trends, and SEO tactics, so we are proud to do what we can to take some of the burden off of you. That way you can do what you do best: running your bed & breakfasts.
5. The Power of Podcasting: How We Can Help Innkeepers through the InnSpeak podcast
In October, we launched a side project: the InnSpeak podcast. These days, it can seem like everyone and their cousin is starting a podcast, but we like to think that the InnSpeak podcast is providing something fresh and underrepresented to the game. For the podcast, we regularly conduct in depth interviews with innkeepers and other marketing and hospitality professionals. With seven episodes already under our belt, we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon. We love giving voice to the many incredible people that help make this industry thrive.
6. Our Amazing Team
The most consistent and flattering compliment we get from our customers is about our great team and the high level of customer service we provide. At Odysys, we pride ourselves on our passionate, hardworking, and dedicated team members. We love coming together every day to help you and your property thrive in whatever ways we can.
7. 2019 & Beyond!
We have some BIG plans for 2019. We have been hard at work revamping the Odysys system to provide even more value to our customers. I am so excited to show you what we have been working on. Keep an eye our for an announcement right after the first of the year. More to come soon!
8. Our Amazing Customers
You guys are what keep us coming to the office every day. Innkeepers are truly fascinating people with unique personalities, diverse personal interests, and incredible life experiences. It might be a cliche, but no two innkeepers are alike! Working in this industry allows us to come into contact with business professionals, nature lovers, wine aficionados, city dwellers, artists, bakers, chefs, athletes, and so much more. We wouldn’t still be going if it weren’t for our amazing customers, so you deserve the biggest thanks of all.
We could go on and on about everything we are grateful for as we reach the final stretch of 2018. Most of all, we’d like to thank you for another great year at Odysys. Let’s make 2019 even better.
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