AI for Hospitality: Lessons from SCORE Maine

My Experience as a SCORE Maine Guest Speaker: Helping Hospitality Businesses Thrive with AI

Earlier this month, I joined the SCORE Maine community to talk about something I care deeply about—helping small hospitality businesses use AI in real, human ways. This wasn’t a tech talk. It was a conversation about time, connection, and how everyday tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can help you run your property with less stress and more creativity.

What We Explored Together

We looked at simple, practical ways AI can make a real difference for small hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. No big budgets. No tech teams. Just real-world tools that save time and strengthen guest relationships.

Together, we explored how to:

• Write listings that sell the experience, not just the stay—using real guest reviews for inspiration.
• Send pre-arrival emails that feel personal, turning simple notes into upsells that guests actually appreciate.
• Respond to reviews quickly but meaningfully, keeping your property’s voice consistent and warm.

The 3-Day AI Mini Challenge

To make it hands-on, I shared a “3-Day AI Mini Challenge” with step-by-step prompts to try right away. Each day focused on one task—rewriting a listing, crafting a pre-arrival email, and responding to a guest review.

Several attendees jumped in on the spot. One hotel owner rewrote her welcome message and immediately booked an upsell for a late checkout. Others said it was the first time AI actually felt doable. That’s what this challenge is about—seeing what’s possible when you use AI with intention and heart.

Why These Community Events Matter

Speaking at SCORE Maine was a reminder that hospitality is as much about community as it is about service. SCORE’s workshops bring together people who want to grow, share, and learn—whether they’re running a lakeside B&B, a mountain cabin, or a small-town café.

When we show up for conversations like this, we build more than businesses. We build confidence. We build local economies. And we remind each other that progress doesn’t have to mean losing the personal touch that makes hospitality so special.

Want to Try It Yourself?

Missed the event? You can grab the same 3-Day AI Mini Challenge I shared with attendees—it’s a simple, self-paced way to test how AI can simplify your day and elevate your guest experience.

And if you’re in Maine, keep an eye on upcoming SCORE sessions. They’re filled with entrepreneurs who believe, like we do, that hospitality still has heart—and a future worth shaping together.