InTouch | May 2023

INtouch

sCrlf to Host its annual HosPitality leaDers golf tournament in sePtember

This friendly competition is a great opportunity to have some fun on the greens, network and raise money for students seeking careers in the hospitality industry. All proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization for the sole purpose of advancing hospitality education and workforce development.

The annual Hospitality Leaders Golf Tournament will be held Monday, September 11 at the The Reserve Club at Woodside Plantation.

Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m.

We offer numerous open spots for teams or individual golfers as well as sponsorship opportunities, so secure yours today. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a great time as we raise money for hospitality scholarships benefiting South Carolina students!

The essence of The Reserve Club is the Reserve course, a superb Nicklaus Design. Upon its completion, the course was named by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Ten Best New Private Courses in America in 2003.” It has continually been named one of South Carolina’s top courses ever since.

Event registration will open soon on scrla.org/events.

Disaster PrePareDness for small business

Running a small business is hard enough without having to rebuild after a natural disaster. Many businesses all over the world make the mistake of not properly preparing for disasters and are left to suffer the costly consequences. However, small business disaster preparedness planning is easier than you might think. We scoured the internet and interviewed risk management experts to bring you the best tips and resources, so you can finally check “disaster plan” off your to-do list.

A good disaster plan means fewer days out of business, better communication with customers, and a better settlement from your insurance company. Add it all up and your plan could be the reason your small business beats the odds.

Step 1: Identify risk.

Which one of these large-scale disasters is a threat to your business?

• Covid-19

• Hurricanes

• Winter weather

• Earthquakes

• Tornadoes

• Wildfires

• Floods

If you have a single location, you already know the answer. But what about any additional areas that are critical to the success of your business? Think about where computer servers are located, where goods are stored - even areas where your employees commute from or work remotely.

A risk assessment table offered by FEMA can be found in the article linked below.

Step 2: Develop a plan.

The key to developing any good plan is to put a single person in charge of it. This is your disaster plan coordinator. They decide how to develop the plan – but you, as the business owner or manager, should be clear about what they need to include. some questions to think about when you assign this important task.

If your business is large enough that it has separate departments, then the plan coordinator may need a supporting committee. Each internal department will have its own unique assests, systems and requirements.

Next, think about the entire scope of your operations. Do you ship hundreds of packages a day? Then you want to have someone at your shipping company as part of the supporting committee. Any

vendor, supplier or government agency that you use on a day-to-day basis should be represented on your committee. They can explain their own disaster preparedness planning and how that will affect your post-disaster operations. That may mean you need a 100-page guide, or you may just need a simple series of reference sheets. Either way, your planning coordinator needs to know the scope of your plan before they can properly develop it.

The goal of a disaster plan is to help ensure the well-being of your employees, the stability of your location’s environment and, last but certainly not least, your ability to keep the business running.

Step 3: Implement and train.

Your disaster plan coordinator, their supporting committee, and you, as the business owner or manager, should approve the final plan - but your work doesn’t stop there.

A disaster plan isn’t something you dust off when the red warning stripe comes across your TV screen. You’ll have action items as soon as your plan is complete. The idea is to identify things you can do now so you won’t have to do them in the days or hours before a natural disaster.

Every employee in your organization has a role to play during an emergency – even if it’s just getting themselves out of the building safely. Your plan should identify which employees are responsible for which roles. Businesses of all sizes should have a person or team responsible for business continuity and crisis communications.

business.com to read the full article.

10 Hotel amenities growing in PoPularity

With the rise of alternative stay options, many hotels have found they need to increase the number of amenities they offer to stay competitive. When social media came along, travellers began posting their real-time experiences online, putting even more pressure on hotels to stand out.

Today’s travellers want more—expansive room service options, topof-the-line gym equipment, and in-room beauty services, among other things. Hotel Engine looked at a list of popular hotel amenities sourced from several travel publications.

Gym Equipment with Live Classes

Travellers are increasingly looking for hotels with full gyms and specialty equipment (like Peleton bikes and the Mirror) with the rise of virtual workout classes. Breaking a sweat has become more accessible and convenient, and fewer people are willing to forgo the rush of endorphins it provides when they’re out of town.

Eco-Friendly Toiletries

Conversations about climate change and the impact of human consumption have gotten louder over the last several years. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban single-use plastic in hotels (including toiletries) in an effort to keep more out of landfills. Bills like this have more hotels than ever before switching to eco-friendly toiletry options in their hotels.

Coworking Spaces

As a growing number of companies offer work-from-wherever perks, employees are taking advantage of them, choosing to take working vacations or work out of their local hotels and coffee shops or restaurants for a change of scenery.

Room Service from Local Restaurants

One way many hotels are getting around the price predicament is by utilizing third-party kitchens, partnering with local restaurants or apps to have hot meals delivered to guests at a much more affordable price. It’s a win-win for both parties: Hotels can continue to offer the popular perk and customers can save money while enjoying fabulous meals.

Self Check-in

Close to 90% of people would choose a hotel with contactless mobile check-in and other services instead of a hotel without this option, according to a 2020 survey conducted by consulting company Metova

Pet-friendly Accommodations

The increase in pet ownership, along with the fact that many folks would prefer to travel with their furry friends, means pet-friendly hotels are even more attractive to guests. To help owners figure out where their pets can stay, many outlets like the American Kennel Club regularly compile lists of hotels that welcome pets.

Onsite Bike Rentals

Now, more than ever before, people are interested in eco-friendly methods of travel. By offering onsite bike rentals, saving guests the headache of enrolling in a bikeshare program.

In-room Beauty and Wellness Services

Many hotels offer beauty or wellness services in their onsite spas, but far fewer bring the treatments to their guests’ rooms. Just like with self-service check-in, in-room treatments are more convenient and frictionless for guests. Plus, offering wellness-related services can help counter the inherent stress of travel.

In-room Espresso Machines

The National Coffee Association reported in 2021 that 60% of Americans consumed coffee within the day leading up to its survey. Enhancing inroom coffee options, then, can likely improve the overall stay. An in-room espresso machine allows hotel guests to wake up to high-quality coffee drinks.

Digital Concierge

Hotels have long been known for having dedicated individuals who handle every possible need from their guests. Convenience is the name of the game for the modern-day traveler, and this includes having someone ready at the push of a button—no waiting in a queue required.

Visit tricitynews.com to read the full article.

DHeC uPgraDes fooD graDe DeCals for easier PubliC aCCess to restaurant insPeCtion rePorts

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is making it easier for customers to view retail food establishments’ inspection histories by adding QR codes to the Food Grade decals located at the main entrances.

Since 2016, DHEC has provided inspection reports on its S.C. Food Grades web application. The new QR codes will give patrons an easy way to scan the code with their smart phones and be directed to S.C. Food Grades where they can look up food inspection reports. These reports include a facility’s compliance and violation history in regard to the state regulations for safe food handling.

“Our S.C. Food Grades app is a great resource for anyone interested in viewing recent inspection reports for their favorite restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores,” said Sandra Craig, Director of DHEC’s Division of Food and Lead Risk Assessments. “By adding a QR code to every Food Grade decal, patrons can conveniently view information beyond the food grade alone.”

DHEC is responsible for performing risk-based inspections at more than 22,000 retail food establishments in the state, which includes restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, convenience stores, schools, and other institutions. At the end of an inspection, once a DHEC food inspector has discussed the findings of their inspection with facility personnel, a letter grade is posted at the main entrance. The grade is based on the calculated numerical score of the inspection and the facility’s

past compliance history:

• Grade A: The establishment earned more than 87 points; food safety practices appeared to meet the requirements of Regulation 61-25.

• Grade B: The establishments earned 8778 points; food safety practices need improvement.

• Grade C: The establishment earned less than 78 points; food safety practices need significant improvement.

Craig noted that it was the recommendation of a DHEC food inspector to add the QR code to the decals after realizing many customers were aware of the letter grades but not the more detailed inspection reports available on S.C. Food Grades.

DHEC’s goal is to have the new QR code letter placed at each permitted establishment within a year.

Food inspections are unannounced, and each inspection score is a snapshot in time based on how a retail food establishment handles the five major risk factors for food safety, as outlined by Regulation 61-25: Food Contact Equipment Cleanliness, Cooking Temperatures, Employee Health, Food Sources, and Food Holding Temperatures.

Learn more about DHEC’s role with overseeing food safety at scdhec.gov/foodsafety and view inspection reports on S.C. Food Grades at scdhec.gov/foodgrades.