Lodging News - April May 2017

APRIL / MAY 2017

BRACING FOR IMPACT Lodging Operators Prepare for 2017 Eclipse and Beyond

see also

Short-term Rental Study IMMIGRATION AND DOCUMENTATION

Legislative Update

OregonRLA.ORG

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PATRICK NOFIELD Escape Lodging Company

“The most important benefit we receive from our affiliation with ORLA is advocacy.

Allowing our voice and our views to be represented is invaluable.”

JOIN NOW!

With strength in members comes a stronger voice for the industry. To learn how being a part of ORLA can help you, contact Membership@OregonRLA.org or call 800.462.0619.

4

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

CHECKING IN

16 ABOUT

Lodging News is published six times a year by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA), 8565 SW Salish Lane, Suite 120, Wilsonville, Oregon, 97070, 503.682.4422, 800.462.0619.

To learn more about ORLA log on to OregonRLA.org.

PUBLISHER JASON BRANDT / PRESIDENT & CEO

JBrandt@OregonRLA.org LORI LITTLE / EDITOR

LLittle@OregonRLA.org HEIDI JANKE / DESIGN

HJanke@OregonRLA.org

IN THIS ISSUE | APR / MAY 2017

MEMBERSHIP

To become a member of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, please contact Jennifer at JStarr@OregonRLA.org or 503.682.4422.

ADVERTISING

Please support the advertisers herein; they have made this publication possible. For information on advertising opportunities, please contact Mt. Angel Publishing.

MAGGIE PATE MT. ANGEL PUBLISHING, INC.

FEATURES 16 BRACING FOR IMPACT WITH MAJOR EVENTS Lodging Operators Prepare for 2017 Eclipse and Beyond Although the eclipse is still months away from making its mark on Oregon, the state has been busy rallying resources to prepare for the eclipse.

541.968.3544 Maggie.P@MtAngelPub.com

SUBMISSIONS

To submit articles or other editorial input, please contact Lori at LLittle@OregonRLA.org

ORLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vijay Patel, Chair, A-1 Hospitality Michael Carbiener, Vice Chair, Oswego Lake Country Club Zach Poole, Secretary, Pig ‘N Pancake Buggsi Patel, Treasurer, BHG Hotels Chris Bebo, Provenance Hotels Richard Boyles, InnSight Hotel Management Group Lucinda DiNovo, The Mill Casino Hotel Treva Gambs, Gamberetti's Italian Restaurant Erin Gilchrist, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Terry Goldman, DoubleTree by Hilton Portland Jim Hedlund, Bugatti’s Family of Restaurants Wray Hutchinson, Buffalo Wild Wings Vickie Irish, Shari's Restaurant Group Steven Johnson, Vip's Industries Masudur Khan, Seaside Lodging LLC John Lenz, Jaspers Cafe Kent Lewis, Anvil Media Jennifer Nelson, Inn at the 5th Komal (Tina) Patel, ALKO Hotels (Ex Officio) Dani Rosendahl, On Deck Sports Bar and Grill Michael Rowan, Deschutes Brewery Jerry Scott, Elmer’s Restaurants Randy Xavier, Food Services of America

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE 6 HOLDING OUR GROUND IN THE LEGISLATURE

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

9 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ORLA on the Front Lines Advocating for Our Members 10 REINING IN ILLEGAL HOTELS Study on Short-term Rental Companies Aims to Level the Playing Field.

12 AHLA LEGISLATIVE ACTION SUMMIT The New Congress Needs to Hear Your Stories.

14 IMMIGRATION AND EMPLOYEE DOCUMENTATION Don’t Let I-9 Audits Put You on Thin ICE.

MEMBERSHIP

22 THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) How Innovative Technologies Improve Your Hotel’s Bottom Line 24 WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON WEAPONS? Arm Your Team with a Clear Understanding of Your

Firearm and Weapons Policies.

26 LODGING PERFORMANCE REPORT Hotel Benchmark Data 26 NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the Association 29 NEWS BRIEFS Information From Around the Industry 29 CALENDAR Industry Events and Activities 31 MEMBER SOLUTIONS ORLA's Endorsed Service Providers

OregonRLA.ORG

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Holding Our Ground in the Legislature As you continue ramping up for Oregon’s shoulder season, you will be happy to hear that ORLA’s work continues to move forward in protecting the investments we have made in the tourism economy. We are well positioned for continued growth as an industry which starts of course with the investments you are making in your properties and brands.

The growth curve we have experienced in Oregon though, is not without its challenges. We have discussed the reality of what the industry’s success has meant politically as lodging operations are looked to ever more closely as a collection method to fill budget gaps. We are constantly on point to protect against assaults on the tax structures currently in place and the proportional shares directed to further enhance our tourism product here in Oregon.

Assaults are coming from other angles as well, including a new House Bill (3101) introduced by Representative David Gomberg. The new bill would “prohibit hotels or inns from charging facility fees in addition to the price of the guest room rental.” Upon preliminary analysis from our friends at the American Hotel & Lodging Association, this outright prohibition would be the first of its kind anywhere in the nation.

House Bill 3101 is just one example of a long list of legislative bills being considered that require ORLA’s attention. The success of the industry speaks for itself. The intentional decisions our state has made since 2003 to invest in tourism promotions and strengthen Oregon’s brand has resulted in significant tourism gains.

According to data provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Census Bureau, Oxford Economics, Longwoods International and STR, Oregon now has over 960 hotel properties and over 61,000 rooms creating over 60,000 direct hotel jobs and $12.3 billion in business sales. One of the statistics I find most helpful with lawmakers is the $1.6 billion in taxes contributed to local, state, and federal government, which equates to $1,058 per household annually. And these data points are all based on the latest available data from calendar year 2015, and since that time we have seen continued expansion of the lodging industry’s footprint on Oregon’s overall economy.

We take our jobs seriously here at ORLA in safeguarding our industry’s performance. Every legislative session there is much at stake as other fiscal challenges continue to plague a sustainable approach to budget balancing. And because of that, your success is such an easy piece of low-hanging fruit to grab as a short-term solution to a longterm problem.

We ask that you make the decision to stay engaged on all legislative bills that have lodging and tourism implications. Simply visit OregonRLA.org/GA to gain access to bill tracking, legislative alerts, and upcoming in-person regional meetings taking place in your neck of the woods.

> CONNECT JASON BRANDT • JBrandt@OregonRLA.org

JASON BRANDT, PRESIDENT & CEO OREGON RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION

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Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

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Join us for the annual Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association dinner and fundraising auction. Mingle with hospitality industry leaders and make invaluable connections while supporting Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Political Action Committee.

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OregonRLA.ORG

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2017

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8 Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

ORLA ON THE FRONT LINES ADVOCATING FOR OUR MEMBERS

T

he following are just some of the key bills we are currently following in the Oregon State Legislature.

For a complete list, please visit OregonRLA.org/GA. GENERAL BUSINESS SB 563 – Establishes exception to gift limitation for food and beverages consumed by members of Legislative Assembly and candidates for office as member of Legislative Assembly.

HB 2182 – Creates a tax credit for employers that pay wages to youth workers, defined as workers between 16 and 25 years of age. Allows taxpayer to claim credit by retaining portion of withholding tax, calculated as percentage of wages paid to youth worker. Bases percentage to be retained on age of youth worker. Applies to wages paid to youth workers on or after January 1, 2018, and to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2024. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

ORLA supports this bill.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING HB 2141 – Directs court to order suspension of person's driving privileges upon person's conviction for offense related to sexual solicitation.

ORLA supports this bill and others like it related to curbing or eliminating human or sex trafficking.

RESTRICTIVE SCHEDULING HB 2193 and SB 828 – Requires employer to pay employee equivalent of at least four hours of work if employee is scheduled or called in to work but, due to employer, does not work entire shift.

ORLA opposes this bill due to its restrictive and punitive nature and because research has shown that three-out-of-four employees do not want the government interfering with their work schedules.

MINIMUM WAGE SB 409 – Repeals minimum wage increases that have not yet become operative.

Authorizes Wasco and Josephine counties to avoid adjustments for inflation until wage rate is equal to that of nonurban counties.

Declares emergency, effective on passage.

ORLA supports this bill to help businesses adjust to ever-increasing regulations and mandates placed by government that make it more difficult to operate in Oregon successfully.

ORLA supports this bill to help Oregon’s youth secure employment opportunities to gain life skills and needed work experience.

LOTTERY HB 2549 – Authorizes Oregon State Lottery Commission to issue registrations to fantasy contest operators to organize or offer fantasy contests. Directs commission to adopt rules related to fantasy contests.

Currently, Oregon does not allow these games since it would create a conflict with Oregon hosting NCAA tournaments.

Since those tournaments have failed to bring in significant revenue, ORLA supports this bill.

TOURISM SB 327 – Provides recreational immunity to owner of land. Extends recreational immunity to employees and agents of owner of land when acting within scope of duties and those with private property interests in land.

Eliminates duty of care to maintain land for entry or use by others for certain purposes.

Declares emergency, effective on passage.

ORLA supports this bill.

HB 3101 – Prohibits hotels or inns from charging facility fees in addition to price of guest room rental.

SB 745 and HB 2506 – Establishes Ocean Beach Fund. Directs amount of transient lodging tax revenues from state recreation area lodgings along ocean shore received by State Parks and Recreation Department to fund. Directs department to spend moneys from fund for expenses of managing state recreation areas along ocean shore.

ORLA opposes this bill because it carves out money from the TLT (transient lodging tax) revenue for a specific fund.

That specific fund could be used to pay for items such as beachfront development, sand management and severe storm responses. ORLA does not believe segregating the TLT revenue for different areas or purposes is the most effective use of the money.

HB 2768 – Expands definition of "tourism promotion" for purposes of local transient lodging tax revenue expenditures. This bill would essentially allow municipalities to use TLT funds to do road and sidewalk maintenance, repair restrooms, erect benches and do “beautification” projects.

ORLA opposes this bill as it would take dollars away from tourism promotion and would not, in our opinion, contribute to increasing room nights by visitors.

In addition to these, we expect to see bills related to: Paid Family Leave, which may or may not have an employer-paid component; transportation, hopefully to address Oregon’s failing infrastructure of roads and bridges, and wage equity.

For more information, please visit OregonRLA.org/GA or email Astley@OregonRLA.org. LN GREG ASTLEY, OREGON RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION

> CONNECT GREG ASTLEY • Astley@OregonRLA.org

ORLA opposes this bill as it would restrict lodging properties from having the choice of charging any additional facility fees.

OregonRLA.ORG

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 10

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

Reining In Illegal Hotels

Study on Short-term Rental Companies Aims to Level the Playing Field.

T

he debate on short-term rental companies like Airbnb, Vacasa, FlipKey and HomeAway, to name a few, is continuing to heat up with the release of a new report and several more cities looking at tightening up regulations and ordinances around the issue.

A new study was conducted by CBRE Hotels’ Americas Research, a leading real estate research company, and funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation. This comprehensive national review of Airbnb operations covers October 2014 to September 2016, with a spotlight on 13 of the nation’s largest markets: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oahu, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released the report examining the rise of commercial activity taking place on Airbnb nationwide. This study reveals that Airbnb’s business in Portland is moving even further away from true home sharing: 77 percent of Airbnb’s Portland revenue comes from whole-unit rentals (those rentals where the owner is not present during the time of the rental).

Airbnb has allowed the growth of “illegal hotels” that are often unregulated properties operating in residential neighborhoods, and as others have pointed out, are disrupting communities, impacting affordable housing and jeopardizing safety and security for guests and neighbors alike.

now total more than $14 million • 77 percent of Airbnb’s Portland revenue comes from entire-home rentals • Hosts with three or more units earned 54 percent of the total revenue generated by multi-unit hosts “Once upon a time Airbnb might have simply been a home sharing company, but this analysis shows that’s just a fairytale now,” said AHLA President and CEO Katherine Lugar. “This report provides a stark contrast to the picture that Airbnb presents to policymakers and the public and sheds light on why the company has largely refused to take even basic steps to stop illegal hotel operators, because these actors drive the overwhelming – and growing – portion of its revenue.”

ORLA continues to encourage municipalities to enforce current laws, enact new laws to prevent these “illegal hotels” from spreading, and demand Airbnb open its books up for inspection to ensure all taxes are being paid.

More Cities Look at Airbnb / Shortterm Rental Regulations The increase of companies like Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway and Vacasa and the impact these companies are having on neighborhoods and communities is prompting many cities and counties to evaluate current ordinances and laws surrounding short-term rentals. In many cases, cities and municipalities are closing loopholes and demanding more accountability from these companies.

• Require a license for short-term rentals and accessory short-term rentals, renewable every year • Eliminate the exemption for shortterm rentals from paying the Transient Occupancy Tax in Salem • Require the operator of a short-term rental to maintain liability insurance which covers the use of the property as a short-term rental • Require the city-issued license number to be included on any advertising or listing for the short-term rental The new ordinance is intended to help ensure public safety, minimize the potential impacts to the city’s multi-family housing supply and establish appropriate standards to maintain the quality and livability of Salem’s neighborhoods.

ORLA supports efforts like these to protect housing availability and affordability for employees in our industry as well as help level the playing field so all lodging properties are following the rules and laws.

As of this printing, the cities of Lake Oswego, Astoria and Eugene are also considering changes to ordinances to address the Airbnb / short-term rental issues in their communities. Adoption of commonsense regulations are helping to rein in commercial activities and discern appropriate regulation and tax collection in order to protect the industry and support communities. LN GREG ASTLEY, OREGON RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION

> CONNECT

Key Portland findings in Airbnb study: • Revenue generated by multi-unit entirehome hosts increased by 123 percent to

The City of Salem Planning Commission recently passed a recommendation along to the Salem City Council that would do the following, among other things:

GREG ASTLEY • Astley@OregonRLA.org

OregonRLA.ORG

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

AHLA Legislative Action Summit The New Congress Needs To Hear Your Stories.

N

ow is the time to get engaged on national issues affecting our industry. Mark your calendars for May 17-18th and join ORLA for the annual trip to Washington D.C. at the Legislative Action Summit.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) are uniting the hotel industry to show lawmakers the strength of our industry in what could be one of your most important meetings of the year.

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Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

The Legislative Action Summit is a unique opportunity to join together with hundreds of colleagues to meet your congressional representatives and share your story, the story of our industry, while educating Congress on the important issues affecting the hotel and lodging business.

During the course of two days you will learn about the latest developments on the most pressing issues that are impacting hoteliers’ bottom lines and head to the U.S. Capitol for meetings with our elected officials.

At this time, we have Capitol Hill visits scheduled with every member of Congress from Oregon to discuss the most important issues affecting Oregon’s hospitality industry.

We need your help to make these issues front and center with Congress!

Join us to get the inside scoop from AHLA’s government affairs team, Members of Congress and other industry experts. You will also learn how to effectively discuss these issues and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your Member of Congress.

Register at AHLA.com/LAS today and let us know that you’ll be joining us.

Jason Brandt, ORLA’s President and CEO, Greg Astley, ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs, along with other lodging operators from Oregon are already planning to make the trip to Washington D.C. Consider joining us to make sure your voice is heard! LN GREG ASTLEY, OREGON RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION

> CONNECT GREG ASTLEY • Astley@OregonRLA.org

OregonRLA.ORG

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Immigration and Employee Documentation DON’T LET I-9 AUDITS PUT YOU ON THIN ICE.

L

ately, there has been a lot of increased chatter about a potential surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at employers’ places of business. These raids are part of an effort to root out employees who have lied on Form I-9s and to catch employers who have not properly checked identification documents or have failed to complete I-9s. However, drastically increasing I-9 audits for purposes of engaging in a mass deportation scheme is a Herculean task. With the President attempting to slash the budget to other federal departments while simultaneously increasing defense spending and trying to fund the construction of a border wall, in reality, a large increase in raids may be somewhat cost-prohibitive. Nevertheless, we are likely to see an uptick in the number of I-9 audits that ICE conducts, and there are some reports of these raids occurring already.

According to a 2015 Pew Research Center study, more than one-third of 14

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

undocumented immigrants in Oregon’s labor force work in the service industry.

Due to the large volume of undocumented workers employed in the hospitality industry, there has certainly been some concern that restaurant and lodging businesses may be one of the focuses of such an increase in ICE enforcement and raids.

With the hefty fines (and even potential prison time) that can accompany instances of knowingly employing undocumented workers, hospitality industry employers should not underestimate the risk of an audit. So what is an employer in the hospitality industry to do?

HAVE AN ICE PLAN Having a plan if your business finds itself in the crosshairs of an ICE investigation is crucial. ICE has the power to subpoena documents from an employer—namely, the Form I-9s and related documentation— to see if there are irregularities in the paperwork that the employer is legally required to collect. The time for an employer to respond to such a subpoena

is usually very short, so being prepared to respond timely is vital. If your business is subjected to an ICE audit, the agents will most likely show up unannounced, as no advance warning is required. Remember, if ICE agents do arrive at your business, they will need to have a warrant to enter the business. However, agents are allowed to enter places of your business that are generally open and accessible to the public without a warrant. While it can be intimidating for a team of ICE agents to show up on site, the fact that they are government agents does not give them a free pass to inspect the premises or speak to employees absent a warrant. Furthermore, while employers should not impede any investigation or be combative with the agents, employers do have the right to remain silent, speak to their attorney, and should call counsel immediately if faced with an audit. It is also a good idea to have people, such as management personnel, who are trained for ICE visits. These employees would be responsible for speaking with the agents directly, and keeping the agents

from wandering around the business into areas outside the scope of the warrant.

Furthermore, other employees would know exactly who to notify in the event your business is visited by ICE agents. If you have multiple offices or facilities, consider having at least one point person per facility that is given this responsibility.

PERFORM AN INTERNAL AUDIT In preparation for a visit from ICE, employers may consider conducting an internal I-9 audit to make sure that the business has all its records complete.

Hopefully, you’ve done everything by the book and your I-9s exhibit no anomalies. If there are issues with your I-9s, however, you should act with care in remedying them.

An employer who only selectively audits I-9s of certain employees could give rise to allegations of discrimination. It is important to note that employers cannot continue to employ a worker that the employer knows to be undocumented (and is therefore not legally eligible to work in the United States).

BE CAREFUL NOT TO DISCRIMINATE! As the hysteria grips employers and word of the first ICE audits begins to trickle out, employers should remember that discrimination stemming from actions taken in regard to citizenship can land the employer in hot water with the Department of Justice under the Immigration and Nationality Act. One key thing to remember is that employees should only be re-verified in certain circumstances. If you undertake an internal audit to shore up the company’s I-9 records and find that a few people submitted suspect information which the employer initially accepted as valid (or worse yet, did not even bother to view the required documentation), re-verifying these employees could subject the employer to liability. Additionally, employers are prohibited from requesting additional or different documentation than otherwise required to verify eligibility for employment.

Employers also cannot reject seemingly authentic documents. Employers are not tasked with being experts at sniffing out

identification fraud, but should know what the required documents look like and be able to spot obvious fakes. This, of course, is not to say that conducting an internal audit is a bad idea or should not be done. On the contrary, such practice can be a good thing, particularly when faced with a potential ICE audit. However, employers should enlist the help of an HR professional or employment law attorney to make sure that your workplace follows best practices and avoids discrimination claims in the process. LN SEAN RAY, BARRAN LIEBMAN LLP.

> CONNECT SEAN RAY • SRay@Barran.com

ABOUT

Sean Ray is a partner at Barran Liebman LLP. He advises and represents employers in labor and employment matters and disputes.

Contact him at 503.276.2135 or SRay@Barran.com.

OregonRLA.ORG

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BRACING FOR IMPACT

with Major Events 16

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

Lodging Operators Prepare for 2017 Eclipse and Beyond

W

hen the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States since 1979 casts a shadow on the Oregon coast this summer, visitors from all over the world will have the opportunity to witness this rare phenomenon behind protective glasses. At 10:15 a.p. PST on August 21, a narrow band of the moon’s umbra will make landfall between Newport and Lincoln City on its way eastward across the state and nation.

Many Oregon lodging operators have been preparing for the Great American Eclipse and other major events well in advance, creating special packages that attract guests looking to explore the state’s many natural and manmade wonders while carefully planning to accommodate their basic needs and desires when they arrive en masse. In fact, several hotels in the path of the eclipse sold out that weekend years in advance.

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And when the sun sets on that unique solar show, other crowd-drawing spectacles are sure to appear on the horizon. For instance, some lodging operators are already anticipating heavier than normal bookings for the 2021 IAAF World Championships, a major track and field event that will draw fans from around the globe. The state is also competing for conferences, shows, and other upcoming opportunities to drive even more business to Northwest.

Lodging industry executives like Scott Snyder, general manager at the Grand Hotel Salem, are planning well ahead to help provide their guests with an experience to remember. “The eclipse is going to provide ‘eclipse chasers’ an opportunity to see our state and region at one of the most incredible times of the year,” he predicts. “It is estimated that Salem will be hosting 50,000 additional people during this event! Our hotel has been full for the event for the past couple years. While we have a three-night minimum stay, some of our guests will be staying for seven nights or more for the event. The actual eclipse is less than three minutes, and we expect that guests are going to want to stay occupied doing more than swim in the pool. I believe the hotel’s role in being good hosts is helping guests connect with activities and opportunities while here. Travel Salem, our region’s Destination Marketing Organization, has been instrumental in coordinating a reliable events calendar of eclipse-related activities to direct our guest to.” Snyder adds that those potential excursions include visiting local wineries and other points of interest.

Although its shadow is still months away from making its mark on Oregon, the state has been busy rallying resources to prepare for the eclipse.

“We have convened different state agencies, like the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Department of Transportation, local fire departments, sheriff 's, and police offices,” according to Annette Liebe, coordinator with Regional Solutions. Discussions have focused on 18

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

OREGON COMMUNITIES WITHIN ECLIPSE PATH:

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Adair Village Agate Beach Albany Alsea Amity Antelope Antone Ashwood Aumsville Aurora Baker City Bates Beaver Black Butte Ranch Black Rock

Brogan Brooks Brownlee Brownsville Canyon City Cascadia Cloverdale Corvallis Crabtree Culver Dale Dallas Dayton Dayville Depoe Bay Detroit

Donald Eddyville Elkhorn Eola Falls City Fossil Foster Four Corners Fox Fox Valley Gates Gervais Grand Ronde Granite Greenhorn Grizzly

everything from impacts on traffic to public safety. Liebe offers a few words of advice to lodging operators: “Make sure that guests are well prepared, not only to view the eclipse, but have the supplies that they need. Whether it's food, water, or medicines. We’ve had some conversations about the need to alert pharmacies, to make sure that they’ve got extra medicines on hand for people who are coming to areas that may have not brought enough of their own medicines or had planned on purchasing more once when they were at their destination.”

Erik Rau, an Emergency Management Planner with the Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management, suggests that business owners and managers reach out to their local public safety and emergency management organizations well in advance of the coming eclipse and any other major events. “If you have never spoken to your local emergency manager, county sheriff ’s office, fire district or department, police department, or even local public health official, do so weeks or months before the big day,” he recommends. “While many of these organizations focus on urgent response resources, many have public education or business-oriented programs as well.”

MAP BY: Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com Haines Halsey Hamilton Harlan Hayesville Hebo Holley Hoskins Hubbard Huntington Idanha Independence Ironside Jamieson Jefferson John Day Keating Keizer

Kimberly Kings Valley Kinzua Labish Village Lafayette Lebanon Lime Lincoln Beach Lincoln City Logsden Long Creek Lyons Madras Marion Mayville McMinnville Mehama Metolius

Mill City Millersburg Mitchell Molalla Monmouth Monument Mount Angel Mount Vernon Neskowin Newport North Albany Ontario Otis Otter Rock Pacific City Perrydale Philomath Pine

Pine Grove Powell Butte Prairie City Prineville Redmond Richland Rickreall Rose Lodge Salem Scio Scotts Mills Seal Rock Seneca Shaniko Shedd Sheridan Siletz Silverton

Simnasho Sisters Sodaville South Beach South Junction South Lebanon Spray St. Paul Stayton Sublimity Summit Sumpter Sweet Home Tallman Tangent Terrebonne Tidewater Toledo

Turner Unity Vale Valsetz Waldport Wapinitia Warm Springs Waterloo Westfall Whiteson Willamina Willowdale Woodburn

Gathering this information from local public safety groups can help hotel management set expectations with staff and guests, according to Rau. “During a large event, daily tasks that seem simple (like filling a prescription or picking up kids from school) can become much more challenging, time-consuming, and stressful,” he points out. “Simply knowing in advance that there may be long lines at the store will change the way people plan their day and help them avoid getting stranded.”

Rau adds that small steps can help hotels work toward preparedness and enable everyone to adopt an approach that works best for their operation.

“The overall goal for emergency preparedness, no matter what hazards OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

19

FAST FACTS:

AUGUST 2017

• The eclipse takes place Monday, August 21, 2017, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

• Oregon is planning for the possibility of up to one million visitors surrounding the eclipse

affect you, is to be ready for two weeks of self-sufficiency,” he explains. “Getting there one step at a time is a good way to accomplish it.”

• First total eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. since 1979

OR

ID

WY

NE

• The ‘path of totality’ stretches across

KA

parts of 12 states, attracting viewers

MI

IL

KE TE

NC SC GA

from around the globe NORTHERN LIMIT

• Oregon Coast is the first easilyaccessible place for visibility • The approximately 60-mile wide path of totality runs across 16 counties in Oregon

OF TOTAL SOLAR

McMINNVILLE LINCOLN CITY

SILVERTON

SALEM

MILL CITY

I-5

NEWPORT ALBANY SOUTHERN LIMIT

ECLIPSE

SWEET HOME

OF TOTAL SOLAR

ECLIPSE

THINGS TO CONSIDER: • Have information available to

guests including eclipse maps and scheduled events in your region so they can maximize their stay • Inform your guests of potential traffic from increased travelers that can affect access to restaurants, retail, and attractions • Schedule deliveries and service calls prior to the event date to avoid delays and running out of supplies, food and beverages • Stay in touch with your local public safety agencies in case of potential public safety issues or incidents

20

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

Something as simple as supplying maps and planning for lost guests might make a difference. “Cell phones can be a great tool, but the networks can quickly become overloaded, making it very hard to make a call or get directions,” observes Rau. “Having back-up plans, like a designated meeting place if you can’t reach someone or being able to text instead of call, will make life easier on the day of the event. Scheduling additional staff or different shift times may be necessary to account for increased travel time and lack of communications. Also, if your business has a landline, expect many requests to use it on event day. Plan ahead so staff members can handle those consistently.”

Cell phone towers might not be the only Oregon networks facing bottlenecks due to heavy traffic this summer. Emergency managers like Rau are planning for the possibility of up to one million visitors into Oregon for several days on either side of the eclipse. This also means that there will be additional cars on the state’s highways and the potential for problems ranging from accidents to the ignition of fires. “Since August is already prime vacation season in many areas, expect nearly everything to be above capacity for nearly a week total,” says Rau. “Everyone should expect roads to be full and slow, and plan to drive as little as possible.”

He adds that even ODOT’s maintenance crews will suspend construction, pivoting to traffic control over what is anticipated to be a very busy weekend.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS FACTS:

• Nasa.gov/eclipse

• Largest event in Oregon (ever)

• GreatAmericanEclipse.com

• Third largest sporting event (behind Olympics

• Traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/oregon-stories/eclipse

• Largest event in the world in 2021

and World Cup)

The increased traffic also brings increased opportunity in the form of more stops at regional restaurants, hotels, gas stations and rest areas, according to Linea Gagliano, director of global communications at Travel Oregon/ Oregon Tourism Commission. But it is important to think ahead. “We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stock up on supplies,” she urges industry members. “We recommend deliveries from vendors take place at least a few days before the eclipse. Hotels, restaurants and local businesses within the path of totality, and even outside of it, should stock up and order additional provisions.”

This isn’t bad news for Oregon’s lodging operators. “It’s been a tough winter for many businesses around the state due to inclement weather,” reports Gagliano.

“We believe this event will continue to strengthen our $10.8 billion annual tourism industry. The eclipse falls on a Monday, so we’re really encouraging visitors to make a trip out of it and come for the weekend before, and stay a few days after, which will further enhance the economic impact” …and help reduce road congestion in the process.

At the same time, the Oregon Tourism Commission hopes to spike even more interest in the state’s four regions. This spring, Travel Oregon plans to print 50,000 “2017 Total Solar Eclipse” travel guides to place in Oregon’s Welcome Centers. The guide will also be available for lodging operators and their guests online at Traveloregon.com.

The Travel Oregon website is already a step ahead of the moon, covering Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

and other unique points of interest for concierge desks, activities directors and their customers. For example, OMSI and the Oregon State Fairgrounds will collaborate to host a solar eclipse viewing party from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“On Monday, August 21, 2017, at 10:18 a.m., Salem, Oregon will experience a full minute-and-fifty seconds of totality,” shares Jim Todd, director of space science education at OMSI. “There will be presentations by space science experts, educational demonstrations and activities, and local astronomy organizations. Salem is in the path of complete totality, and will be the first capital in the country to see the eclipse.” Todd says OMSI can even supply special eclipse glasses for safe viewing of the solar spectacle.

But before the celestial bodies ever align this summer, the much-anticipated event is opening eyes to the importance of planning well ahead. “I think the most influential thing the eclipse has done for our company is provide us the template for being prepared for future major events,” observes Snyder. “We won’t need to start over for the international track event.” He believes it will be another big opportunity for his region to entertain and “wow” its visitors. “Salem has an incredible amount of diverse venues and activities, and I would like to see our entire community embrace these chances.”

Her forecast is certainly promising.

“Historically, we have the better chance for a cloudless sky in August,” she reports. “So, of all the places on the path, Oregon has the best chance of no clouds, which is pretty amazing! How often do we get to say that?” LN KIRK RICHARDSON > CONNECT EDITOR • LLittle@OregonRLA.org LINEA GAGLIANO • Linea@TravelOregon.co ANNETTE LIEBE • Annette.Liebe@Oregon.gov ERIK RAU • Erik.Rau@State.or.us SCOTT SNYDER • Scott.Snyder@GrandHotelSalem.com JIM TODD • JTodd@OMSI.edu

ABOUT

Kirk Richardson is a food and travel writer based in Corvallis, Oregon. In addition to his regular feature articles in ORLA's Main Ingredient and Lodging News magazines, Kirk is writing Craft Beer Country: In Search of the Best in the West (Summer 2017) and authors a craft beer book blog at craftbeercountry.pub.

Gagliano sees a brighter future for the hospitality industry… despite the two minutes of darkness: “These types of large-scale, once-in-a-lifetime events put Oregon on the global map and help attract domestic and international visitors to Oregon, making us more competitive in the global tourism marketplace.”

OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

21

The Internet of Things (IoT)

How Innovative Technologies Improve Your Hotel’s Bottom Line

T

he Internet of Things (IoT) is the hottest technology deploying across the hospitality industry.

What started out with the ability for guests to control room functions such as lighting and curtains from a remote while lounging in bed now provides hoteliers dramatic improvements throughout hotel properties.

IoT applications, such as Apple’s iBeacon, allow hotels to improve guest services with features including indoor navigation and keyless hotel room entry. Inside guest rooms smart sensors are being embedded in mirrors, coffee machines, robot butlers, and smart lightbulbs, enabling the ability to analyze guest proximity and movement patterns to personalize the guest experience.

As guests trigger sensors and interact with connected objects, their behaviors become evident and factors such as room preferences, temperature, and lighting are stored for returning visits so that they receive a consistent, customized experience that builds hotel loyalty.

Forward thinking hotels know that IoT is not just about guest services. IoT can also help hotels improve operations that result in considerable cost savings. Lighting and temperature across the hotel can be

22

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

automatically adjusted based on sensor data from IoT devices, increasing efficiency, eliminating waste and saving money.

Reducing water consumption is another area where IoT can have dramatic implications. For example, hotel laundry is a large consumer of water and by connecting commercial laundry systems to the Internet, IoT applications can provide data on water consumption and that can be used to manage it.

IoT in a Nutshell Technology analysts and visionaries define the Internet of Things as a network of physical objects accessed through the Internet. These objects contain embedded sensing technology to interact with internal states or the external environment. So, when objects can sense and communicate, it changes how and where decisions are made, and who makes them. This connectivity means more data, gathered from more places, with more ways to increase efficiency and improve safety and security.

Hoteliers often struggle with understanding the extent and costs of the utilities laundry operations consume. As

the old adage says, “we can’t manage what we don’t measure.”

What if the Internet could be harnessed to monitor systems and predict savings from more efficient use? Advances in technology enable smart metering devices to be used with laundry machines that will allow hotels to measure energy, water and detergent use and act on that information. Once in place, the IoT can be used in commercial laundry facilities to validate sustainability claims and increase the bottom line.

How the Internet of Things will be used in Hotel Laundry Operations With new IoT-based applications, hotel laundries can now hone in on their costs with a level of accuracy never seen before.

Smart meter devices that connect to hotel laundry facilities monitor the amount of hot and cold water used, energy consumed, and chemicals used, and feed this data across the network to an application that can calculate costs based on the usage data collected. This allows hoteliers to get a clear understanding of real time operating costs in order to improve laundry efficiency. On an aggregate level, they have a holistic view of the health of laundry operations.

This all translates to savings. The monitoring systems are often used to justify purchasing more efficient laundry machines, or can be shared with local utility companies to qualify for energysaving rebates.

A recent article in the Harvard Business Review explains that, “Intelligence and connectivity enable an entirely new set of product functions and capabilities, which can be grouped into four areas: monitoring, control, optimization, and autonomy. Each capability is valuable in its own right and also sets the stage for the next level.”

These are some of the new functions and capabilities that are enabled with smart, connected industrial laundry machines: • Actual real-time water, energy, cycletime and chemical consumption usage and costs are tracked versus benchmarks.

• This information can be further broken down by machine, multiple machines, or location, and data can be aggregated for an overall view of laundry operations.

• Machine utilization can be streamlined by identifying wait times and reducing downtime.

• Management can access reports remotely from any Internet-connected device, such as an iPhone or iPad • Monitoring easily expands as machines are added and upgraded.

What to look for in Smart Commercial Laundry As hotels start thinking about how the Internet of Things will transform daily operations in the future, here is a checklist of capabilities to look for that will enable intelligent monitoring, control, optimization and autonomy.

These smart devices will help hotels achieve the labor and utility efficiency needed to reduce expenses.

• NSF-certified meters installed on laundry machines • Meters approved by major utility companies for accuracy and reliability • The ability to collect and upload realtime utility usage data • A secure, cloud-based application for analysis • Sharing of data with local utility companies • Energy-savings based financial incentives

Harnessing IoT it will allow hotels better management of their operations using the Internet, which will yield opportunities for operational efficiency and improvement. By taking an innovative approach to an established way of doing things, the Internet of Things will deliver savings and that will improve your hotel’s bottom line. LN JONATHAN BENJAMIN, PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY, XEROS, INC.

> CONNECT Xeroscleaning.com

ABOUT

Jonathan Benjamin is President of Global Commercial Laundry at Xeros, Inc., the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system. Prior to his role at Xeros, Jonathan Benjamin was president of Envoy Services, a diversified management and holding company that owns a number of commercial laundry related businesses located in the United States. For more information, visit Xeroscleaning.com.

Sources: http://hbr.org/2014/11/how-smart-connectedproducts-are-transforming-competition/ar/1

OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

23

What’s Your Take on Weapons?

Arm Your Team with a Clear Understanding of Your Firearm and Weapons Policies.

N

umerous states are modifying concealed carry and open carry laws. It is proactive risk management to have policies and procedures addressing your position on weapons on premises and what your property will allow. Here are some suggestions for consideration: Involve legal counsel in establishing, reviewing, and approving policy and procedure Make sure to review your policy with your legal counsel to confirm it complies with local, state, and federal laws. Your policies should be consistent regarding guests and employees.

Communicate your policy Regardless of your choice to allow firearms and weapons or not, effective communication is necessary so guests and employees understand your expectations.

This can include notices posted both on the hotel’s website and also on property, and in the employee handbook and orientation.

Provide a policy that is clear about the handling and storage of the weapon while on the premises and also what the hotel staff will do or will not do if the weapon is found or left in the room. Consult with your legal counsel regarding your communication, policies, and training.

There may be exceptions that need to be considered for certain groups (military personnel, law enforcement, or airline flight crew, for example).

Know what to do if a weapon or firearm is found It is important to have policies and procedures in place on what an employee should do if they find a weapon or firearm in a public area or in a guest room.

A best practice is to instruct the staff to not touch any weapons or firearms. If the weapon or firearm is in the way of cleaning the room or making the bed, the staff should be instructed not to clean that area and leave a note explaining why they were unable to clean that area.

Identify and address if a weapon or firearm is left on property If a weapon is found after check-out either on the guest room or in a public area, policy

SUBSCRIBE TO BOILED DOWN Hospitality industry insights, intelligence & discussion ORLA's new podcast series, Boiled Down, condenses valuable information and intelligence on the world of Oregon hospitality.

Subscribe to Boiled Down on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts so new episodes are delivered directly to your device!

We'd love to get your feedback.

Email us: Info@OregonRLA.org Tweet us: @ORLABoiledDown.

24

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

and procedure should address appropriate response. If the weapon or firearm is left in the guest room it is recommended you contact local law enforcement or hotel security staff to secure the firearm and notify the guest that an item was left behind. If unable to identify the guest, notify local law enforcement and have them secure the weapon and take possession of it.

About For more than 60 years, the award-winning Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety has helped to improve the safety and health of people throughout the world. Liberty Mutual has been partnering with ORLA for more than 30 years. For more information, contact your independent insurance agent or call 800.463.6381.

Regardless of your policy for weapons on your premises, workplace violence, violence, and other security threats should be part of a property’s emergency management crisis plan.

Liberty Mutual Insurance specifically disclaims all liability for damages or personal injury alleged to arise from reliance on the information contained in this document.

Your insurer may be able to provide you with more information including sample plans to get you started. LN LIBERTY MUTUAL

© 2016 Liberty Mutual Insurance, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116

INSURANCE

> CONNECT LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE

SAFETY REMINDERS • Consult with your legal counsel regarding your communication, policies, and training.

• Effective communication is necessary so guests and employees understand your expectations.

• Investigate, document, and report all incidents.

• CConsultingCenter@LibertyMutual.com

EXECUTIVE SEARCH SERVICES

ORLA's H i r i ng M a na g e r s ?

Seeking Growth Opportunities?

GECKO HOSPITALITY CAN HELP! As the nation’s leading Hospitality Specific Recruiting Agency, we partner with restaurants, breweries, hotels, private clubs, and other hospitality/tourism related organizations to connect them with experienced industry professionals.

Finding top talent takes time and dedication; let us do the heavy lifting.

News and info you need in 90 seconds or less.

Start your search today by contacting your local recruiter.

90 Second Serving videos provide timely updates on your association’s advocacy efforts around the state.

View at OregonRLA.org

Recruiter – OR, WA, AK Michael Chamberlain-Torres, CPC E-mail: michael@geckohospitality.com Phone: 503-360-5517

OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

25

MEMBERSHIP

LODGING PERFORMANCE HOTEL BENCHMARK DATA

MONTH - FEBRUARY 2017 VS FEBRUARY 2016

Occupancy (%)

Avg Rm Rate ($)

RevPAR ($)

Percent Change from August 2016

2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Occ ADR RevPAR Room Room Room

Rev Avail Sold United States

61.2 61.5 123.24 121.20 75.37 74.50 -0.5 1.7 1.2 3.1 1.9 1.4

Pacific

71.2 71.4 157.95 157.61 112.46 112.59 -0.3

Oregon

57.2 58.7 106.79 104.20 61.14 61.18 -2.5 2.5 -0.1 1.8

0.2

-0.1

1.1

1.2

0.9

1.9 -0.7

Portland, OR

69.4 70.2 121.47 118.81 84.30 83.38 -1.1 2.2 1.1 3.8 2.6 1.5

Oregon West Area

49.8

51.7

95.45

94.08

47.54

48.62

-3.6

1.5

-2.2

-2.5

-0.3

-3.9

Oregon East Area

39.0

42.7

80.26

80.18

31.34

34.27

-8.6

0.1

-8.6

-6.2

2.5

-6.3

YEAR TO DATE - FEBRUARY 2017 VS FEBRUARY 2016 Occupancy (%)

Avg Rm Rate ($)

RevPAR ($)

Percent Change from YTD 2016

PARTICIPATION Properties

Rooms

2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Occ ADR RevPAR Room Room Room Census Sample Census Sample

Rev Avail Sold U.S.

57.4 57.5 122.02 119.10 70.08 68.44 -0.1 2.4 2.4 4.3 1.9 1.8 53170 32436 5048739 3755176 Pacific

67.4 67.5 157.19 153.80 105.90 103.77 -0.2 2.2 2.0 3.4 1.3 1.2 7948 4360 737872 570983 OR

53.4 54.2 104.01 102.59 55.49 55.65 -1.7 1.4 -0.3 1.4 1.7 0.0 899 468 64139 44653 PDX

65.0 66.2 118.15 116.16 76.80 76.93 -1.8 1.7 -0.2 2.0 2.2 0.3 275 204 27408 24042 OR West

45.3 45.9 91.94 91.83 41.66 42.17 -1.3 0.1 -1.2 -1.5 -0.3 -1.6 278 108 16404 8141 OR East

36.6 39.0 80.11 80.18 29.33 31.25 -6.1 -0.1 -6.1 -3.8 2.5 -3.7 153 73 8819 5714 The information contained in this report is based upon independent surveys and research from sources considered reliable, but no representation is made as to its completeness or accuracy.

This is intended solely for internal purposes of your company and should not be published unless authorized by STR, Inc. ORLA members have access to these reports on OregonRLA.com.

NEW MEMBERS

ORLA WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING • 3 Sheets at the Harbor, Portland • Bayberry Inn, Ashland • The Blue Room Bar, Portland • Cedars Restaurant & Lounge, Detroit • Club Pioneer, Prineville • Club Sport Oregon, Tigard • Donnie Vegas, Portland • East Glisan Pizza Lounge, Portland • The End Zone Sports Bar and Grill, Woodburn • Far West Restaurant Equipment, Portland • Forks & Corks Catering, Corvallis • Gilda's Italian Restaurant, Portland • Glass House Tavern, Portland • Greg Schultz Consulting, Newberg • Hilton Garden Inn, Medford • Hotel Modera, Portland • Lane Community College Culinary Arts & Hospitality 26

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

• Management Program, Eugene • Lava Lanes of Bend • Louie's Restaurant, Ashland • Lovejoy's Tearoom & Restaurant, Florence • Luminant Digital Security, Milwaukie • Maher's Pub, Lake Oswego • Manzanita Beach Getaway Rentals, Manzanita • McKay Cottage Restaurant, Bend • McKenzie General Store, Blue River • Mystery Shack, Portland • Occuscreen, LLC, Vancouver • Papa Haydn, Portland • Papa's Soul Food Kitchen, Eugene • Pizzamore, Albany • Ponderosa Grill, Klamath Falls • The Racquet Club, Portland • Travelodge Depoe Bay

THANK YOU to all those who make this event possible!

Restaurant Partners:

• Adam’s Rib Smokehouse • Best Little Roadhouse • Buffalo Wild Wings • Deschutes Brewery • Horse Brass Pub • Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant • Taprock Northwest Grill Product Sponsors:

Supporting Sponsor:

Allied Partner:

• MillerCoors • Iris Vineyards

Community Partners: • Travel Salem • Salem Area Chamber of Commerce OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

27

Your Tax Deductible Contribution is an Investment in the Industry’s Workforce Future.

The Education Foundation at the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association works to create and support education programs that attract, train, and retain quality employees. We are a non-profit foundation and rely on contributions and sponsorships to assist with our industry’s workforce development needs.

E V E RY D O N AT I O N M A K E S A D I F F E R E N C E

2015 -2016 CONTRIBUTORS TO DATE:

Please consider a contribution today, thank you!

• America's Best Value Inn John Day • Belmont Station • Best Little Roadhouse • Best Western GreenTree Inn • Best Western John Day Inn • Coast River Inn • Historic Hotel Prairie • La Quinta Inn & Suites Portland NW-Downtown • Logger Restaurant • McDonald's, North Medford & White City • Papa Murphy's Pizza • Park Motel & Cabins • Pedotti's Italian Restaurant • Sam's Seaside Café • Sandin Insurance Group • Seaside Lodging & Hospitality • Singing Springs Resort • Sportsman's Pub & Grub • The Spot Again • TJ's Restaurant

Checks to ORLAEF can be mailed to 8565 SW Salish Lane, Ste. 120 Wilsonville, OR 97070

Credit card payments are cheerfully accepted via phone.

Please call 503.682.4422

A receipt and donation acknowledgement for tax purposes will be sent for all donations.

28

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

OregonRLA.org/EdFoundation

MEMBERSHIP

NEWS BRIEFS

HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE INDUSTRY

ODOT’s EASTERN OREGON INVESTMENTS Oregon Department of Transportation Managers from Districts 12, 13, and 14 in eastern Oregon recently announced plans to prepare for winter weather in the future. First, ODOT will be upgrading equipment including adding five tow plows and retrofitting six plows to be dual-winged for roadway treatment purposes in eastern Oregon. Twelve seasonal staff are being added to increase capacity during winter preparation planning and the incidents themselves. The increase in seasonal staff next year will result in 24 hour coverage during winter events.

ODOT is also moving forward with 2018 summer project plans including a $10 million I-84 Winter Safety project between the communities of Pendleton and La Grande.

Construction that summer will also include a third lane on Ladd Canyon to assist with winter equipment access needs during storms.

SEX TRAFFICKING BILLS ORLA recently testified in support of a series of anti-sex trafficking bills in front of the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol. ORLA President & CEO Jason Brandt testified alongside Guardian Group CEO Jeff Keith to discuss the importance of effective training to curb sex trafficking in the State of Oregon. These bills tackle different aspects of sex trafficking in an effort to reduce demand. ORLA is officially on record in supporting all three bills as they move through the legislative process. For more info on Guardian Group and hospitality training, visit TheGuardianGroup.org.

REGIONAL MEETINGS ON TRACK

Ready to host a regional meeting in your area?

OregonRLA.org/Grasstops

This Spring, ORLA’s government affairs and membership teams will hit the road again for several regional meetings around the state.

Our goal is to continue with our commitment to meet our members where they do business and make sure they have the latest information available to make thoughtful decisions in running their business.

This next round of meetings kicks off this month with dates held in April, May, and June. Visit OregonRLA.org/Grasstops.

ALLIANCE WITH AAHOA ORLA and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) have taken steps toward building a stronger alliance that would bring greater collaboration among Oregon’s hospitality industry. The partnership would increase intelligence and the mobilization of members by strengthening our advocacy alliance with elected leaders in Oregon at both the local and state levels. As part of the new alliance, Northwest Regional Director Komal (Tina) Patel, ALKO Hotels, has been appointed to the ORLA Board of Directors as an Ex Officio member.

INDUSTRY CALENDAR EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Apr. 11-14 – San Antonio, TX AAHOA Convention & Trade Show

Apr. 23-24 – Portland, OR Northwest Foodservice Show

Annual convention with educational programs, trade show, and entertainment.

AAHOA.com

The largest foodservice and beverage show in the Northwest.

NWFoodserviceShow.com

May 10-12 – Salem, OR Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism Network. Learn. Be inspired. Tourism trends and best practices.

Industry.TravelOregon.com OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

29

AFFORDABLE COVERAGE SOLUTIONS With the newest ORLA Health Plan offerings, employers can extend a benefit to employees in an effort to reduce turnover and provide access to an affordable solution for healthcare coverage - regardless of size.

ESSENTIAL BASIC PLAN $30/mo.

• 100% preventive care coverage

ESSENTIAL PLUS PLAN $60/mo.

ESSENTIAL PREMIUM PLAN $90/mo.

• 100% preventive care coverage • Discount drug card • Unlimited telemedicine at $30 co-pays • Up to three doctor office visits per year • $200 toward lab work / x-rays

• 100% preventive care coverage • Discount drug card • Unlimited telemedicine at $30 co-pays • Up to four doctor office visits per year • $400 toward lab work / x rays • $250 towards dental services

All options are self-insured plans that carry low liabilities for participating ORLA member businesses.

Get Info and a Quote Now!

Contact ORLA’s endorsed provider, Garth T. Rouse & Associates: GBRouse@profben.com or 800.982.2012

Not a member? Contact ORLA today: Membership@OregonRLA.org or call 800.462.0619 30

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017

OregonRLA.org/HealthPlan

ORLA's ENDORSED SERVICE PROVIDERS Your association is dedicated to helping members operate with greater ease, efficiency and savings. Member participants save millions of dollars each year by using ORLA’s Endorsed Service Providers. For more information contact Jennifer Starr at 1.800.462.0619.

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

ORLA’s Health Plan provides members with affordable healthcare coverage for employees that meets preventative care requirements with three new Essential Coverage plans.

All options are self-insured plans that carry low liabilities for participating ORLA member businesses.

OregonRLA.org/ESP

HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?

MEMBERSHIP

FOR MEMBERS

Membership in ORLA means being a part of the only organization in the state devoted to protecting and promoting the interests of the hospitality industry. Contact us for questions; let us know what issues are affecting your business and how we can help. We have your back!

MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

STEVEN SCARDINA Regional Representative 503.718.1495 SScardina@OregonRLA.org

MUSIC LICENSING

JOEL POMERANTZ Regional Representative 541.517.3791 JPomerantz@OregonRLA.org

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

MARLA McCOLLY Director of Business Development 503.428.8694 MMcColly@OregonRLA.org

EMAIL MARKETING

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONTACTS:

HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES

SEX TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE TRAINING

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

OFFICE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

JOIN YOUR ASSOCIATION TODAY! Contact your regional rep or the ORLA Offices to become a member.

503.682.4422 | 800.462.0619 | Membership@OregonRLA.org | OregonRLA.org

JASON BRANDT President & CEO 503.302.5060 JBrandt@OregonRLA.org GREG ASTLEY Director of Government Affairs 503.851.1330 Astley@OregonRLA.org GLENDA HAMSTREET Executive Coordinator Government Affairs 971.224.1509 GHamstreet@OregonRLA.org

GENERAL INQUIRY:

Info@OregonRLA.org Membership@OregonRLA.org 503.682.4422 | 800.462.0619 OregonRLA.org

OregonRLA.ORG

| Lodging News

31

HE LPIN G MAR KET LOCAL RE ST AUR ANT S! NORTHWEST DINING GUIDES

Website, Facebook and YouTube

DINING OUT IN THE NORTHWEST BLOG

Featuring the people, places and events of the NW

ANDROID APP

Easily find more than 700 participating restaurants

Online Dining Guide • PDX-TV Reports • Radio • Diner Surveys • Shaker Signs • Travel Portland Center Brochures

DININGOUTNORTHWEST.COM

F S A F ood .c o m • 5 0 3 .9 8 0 .2 5 8 6 32

Lodging News | APR / MAY 2017