March 22-24, 2024

Seminar Stage Headliners

The following information is from the 2023 Show.  2024 details coming winter 2023.

Cara Middleton, Freshwater Vacation Rentals

Cara Middleton, Freshwater Vacation Rentals

Cara Middleton, owner of Freshwater Vacation Rentals, will speak to both guests and owners about the ever-changing vacation rental industry. For owners, Cara will reveal how to maximize your second home investment. She will explain how to do it yourself, when to ask for help, short-term rental strategies and common pitfalls of the industry. With eighteen years of experience, you will be able to apply her insights to your 2nd home. In addition, Cara will give guests suggestions on how to pick your ideal vacation rental, what to look for, and how to avoid extra fees. With tips from her own personal practices, realistic examples, and the occasional funny story, you will be sure to enjoy exploring the short-term rental industry.

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Airbnb – Friend or Foe?
March 24, 2023
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
What began in 2008 as a simple home-sharing site, has merged into Airbnb becoming both a noun and a verb in U.S. travel trends.  From “I’m Airbnb-ing my house!” to “I’m staying at my Airbnb.”  Hosts and Guests alike readily use this huge space-sharing platform.  Still, it’s not always as fun and easy as it may appear on the surface. Come explore the celebrations and challenges from both the host and the guest perspective.  Join us on this wild adventure as we explore the tools Airbnb provides to connect hosts and guests. Bring your experiences and questions to share. (Disclaimer: I am not an Airbnb representative. My Freshwater Vacation Rentals Team and I are simply Airbnb Superhosts who dig deep into the Airbnb world daily.)
The Do’s and Don’t of Managing Your Vacation Rental
March 25, 2023
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Come explore our perspective with the best practices we have discovered over the past 18 years with the Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to managing your short-term rental.  It’s not just about vacations any longer.  From work-cations, to visiting family, people in the U.S. increasingly are choosing short-term rentals.  While there are many reasons to jump into the short-term rental marketplace, there are drawbacks too.  Do you know what guests expect in 2023? Where is it best to advertise? Should you install security cameras?  These are just a few of the many topics we will be covering as we dive deep into the 2023 world of short-term rentals.
The Do’s and Don’t of Managing AND PRICING Your Vacation Rental
March 26, 2023
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Come explore our perspective with the best practices we have discovered over the past 18 years with the Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to managing your short-term rental.  It’s not just about vacations any longer.  From work-cations, to visiting family, people in the U.S. increasingly are choosing short-term rentals.  While there are many reasons to jump into the short-term rental marketplace, there are drawbacks too.  Do you know what guests expect in 2023? Where is it best to advertise? Should you install security cameras?  These are just a few of the many topics we will be covering as we dive deep into the 2023 world of short-term rentals.  Featuring Jason Dunaway, Revenue and Business Development Manager, Freshwater Vacation Rentals.
Alyssa Cairns, Alcove Interiors + Furnishings

Alyssa Cairns, Alcove Interiors + Furnishings

Offering renovation management, fixer upper consulting, full-service interior design, and designer furniture shopping- Alcove Interiors + Furnishings ensures clients have the best experience throughout the home design process. Their team can help you create the perfect look for your space, whether you’re looking for a complete overhaul or just a few accent pieces. Alcove Interiors is also the headquarters for Alyssa Designs & Co. that offers complete interior design services in Greater Grand Rapids area.

The team at Alcove takes pride in their creative, personalized, and all-inclusive approach to home improvement and design- hosted in a welcoming and stress-free setting. They can’t wait for you to visit the studio and see for yourself how their design team can make your project a success. Head to the website to learn more or please book your private shopping experience with Alyssa and Mark to learn which level of design service is the best fit for you!

 

Alcove Interiors + Furnishings

hello@alcovedesigns.co

www.alcovedesigns.co

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Finding and Fixing Your Lakeshore Dream with a Renovation Loan
March 24, 2023
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Performance is Peaceful: Choosing the Right Materials for Your Lakeshore Life
March 25, 2023
11:00 am - 11:45 am
The Cottage Living Stage
Finding and Fixing Your Lakeshore Dream with a Renovation Loan
March 25, 2023
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Performance is Peaceful: Choosing the Right Materials for Your Lakeshore Life
March 26, 2023
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Rich Kogelschatz, Heartland Builders

Rich Kogelschatz, Heartland Builders

Rich Kogelschatz, owner of Heartland Builders; which is an on-your-lot custom builder and specializes in building on lakes and tear downs, will share some of the lessons he has learned over 25 years of building cottages and homes. Our journey began by building spec homes; however, once we built our first custom home the rest was history. Today we are proud of how we evolved – but we are especially proud that our mission has remained the same: to inspire our clients and ensure that building your dream home is one of the most incredible experiences of your life.  Rich was the Past President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids in 2009 and 2010, and the Past President of the Home Builders Association of Michigan in 2014.  In his spare time, he sits on the Executive Board of Dwelling Place, a non-profit housing developer in Grand Rapids.

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Cost Effective New Cottage Building or Remodeling Ideas
March 24, 2023
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, both inflation and supply & demand have caused building material pricing to increase.  Rich Kogelschatz, owner of Heartland Builders who has been building homes for 25 years will share some insight into what you can do to help control your costs.
Tear Downs and/or Building on Water: Things to Consider
March 25, 2023
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
There is so much to consider!  Learn what the first steps are?  What should you consider with the soil?  Is this a legacy property?  Does that make a difference? What if my lot is not very large, how can I get what I need to fit? How do I choose the right builder/remodeler? All of this and more! Bring your own questions or sit back and enjoy Rich Kogelschatz, from Heartland Builder's, high-energy and informative presentation.
Tear Downs and/or Building on Water: Things to Consider
March 26, 2023
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
There is so much to consider!    Learn what the first steps are? What should you consider with the soil?  Is this a legacy property?  Does that make a difference? What if my lot is not very large, how can I get what I need to fit? How do I choose the right builder/remodeler? All of this and more! Bring your own questions or sit back and enjoy Rich Kogelschatz, from Heartland Builder's, high-energy and informative presentation.
Pete Bower, Bowery Boatworks

Pete Bower, Bowery Boatworks

Pete Bower is the founder of Bowery Boatworks, which makes wood-composite boats in Ada, Michigan. Pete began building wooden boats more than 25 years ago. His passion to find the perfect paddling experience became the catalyst for Bowery Boatworks. Despite their good looks, these working boats are built to paddle and made to last. Pete has always believed that wood makes a better boat, and when combined with modern materials, it creates canoe nirvana. As a paddling enthusiast and boat geek, Pete will share why the simplicity and elegance of canoeing is as relevant today as it was 7,000 years ago, when the first canoes dipped into the water.

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Your Cottage as Basecamp: Discover the Joy of Paddling Waters Beyond Your Home Dock
March 24, 2023
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Powerboating at the cottage is great. But often, it can leave us penned in on only our home waters. Add a new dimension to cottage life by learning how to, with simplicity and ease, explore Michigan’s 65,000 lakes and ponds by paddle. Many, just minutes from your cottage.
Your Cottage as Basecamp: Discover the Joy of Paddling Waters Beyond Your Home Dock
March 25, 2023
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Powerboating at the cottage is great. But often, it can leave us penned in on only our home waters. Add a new dimension to cottage life by learning how to, with simplicity and ease, explore Michigan’s 65,000 lakes and ponds by paddle. Many, just minutes from your cottage.
Your Cottage as Basecamp: Discover the Joy of Paddling Waters Beyond Your Home Dock
March 26, 2023
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Powerboating at the cottage is great. But often, it can leave us penned in on only our home waters. Add a new dimension to cottage life by learning how to, with simplicity and ease, explore Michigan’s 65,000 lakes and ponds by paddle. Many, just minutes from your cottage.
Angie Jackson, The Traveling Elixir Fixer

Angie Jackson, The Traveling Elixir Fixer

Since 2006, Angie has been presenting energetic, vibrant, and upbeat programs, seminars, workshops, and classes surrounding Michigan’s growing culture of far-to-table culinary experiences, local agriculture, grain distillation, wildcrafted elixirs, as well as herbalism and foraging.

Angie is a passionate professional speaker with 25+ years of experience in the food and beverage industry.  She is a freelance culinary mixologist, brand consultant, and educator.  She has designed and executed award-winning beverage programs throughout the Midwest’s top bars and restaurants, numerous craft distilleries, national distributors, as well as global brands.

Angie’s great-grandfather, Waldo, founded Michigan Radio and loved the cottage life.  He purchase their family cottage in 1922 on Omena Point in Omena, Michigan and the cottage is still in the family.  Thanks to Waldo, Angie’s family still enjoys summers at The Abbey Cottage with all generations to this day.

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Mason Jar Mocktails and Cottage Elixirs
March 25, 2023
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
The Cottage Living Stage
Join Angie Jackson, a.k.a. The Traveling Elixir Fixer for a mocktail demonstration utilizing the Mason Jar and easily found and foraged ingredients that may be growing around the cottage.  Angie will muddle, mash, shake, stir, and roll with the Swiss Army Knife of utility glassware and storage and will demonstrate how to build zero-proof drinks directly in the jars according to seasonal foraged flavors that may be found in Michigan.
Sand Pirate, Janet Schrader

Sand Pirate, Janet Schrader

Janet Schrader is the founder of Sand Pirates: Sand Sculpting, Photography, & Beach Art, started in 2006.  She spends her summers on the beaches of Michigan, teaching, sculpting, and enjoying all that the lakeshore has to offer.  After successfully fighting a severe battle with cancer, Janet found comfort walking the shoreline of Lake Mi. Looking for answers among the beach treasure (beach glass, rocks, fossils, & driftwood) Schrader found more than what she was looking for. What she found was a new way of life, a new philosophy, and a new career.

Come to the show and see in person, how living by the lake has changed her life.