Upcoming Events

In this Issue...

• Time is Running Out to Register! - OHLA Annual Conference & Gala
• OHLA's Silent Auction- We need your help!
• Give us a hand? - Conference Volunteering
• Scholarships Available for Hotel Associates 
• Allied Council Corner - Last Chances to Exhibit
• OHLA Give Back hosted by Membership Committee
• Unique Lodging of Ohio
• Women in Lodging - Resilient Leadership
• Government Affairs
• Allied Spotlight
• Education & Workforce Development
• Emerging Professionals
• One-Day Sustainable Hospitality Strategy Workshop
• Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter
• Freedom a La Cart News!
• Annual Business Meeting Notice

2023 Annual Conference & Gala 
Running out of time to register!

November 20-21, 2023
Hyatt Regency Columbus

Register Now to Avoid Late Fees! Before November 6 (Registration will remain open past Nov. 6)

Well that got your attention, didn't it? We hope you join us in our "130 era" at our 2023 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala on November 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. In celebration of our 130th birthday we are discounting the price of a full conference registration by $130 for the first 10 individuals that respond to michele@ohla.org referencing this email.*

*This does not apply to those who have already registered or to "Gala Only" registrations. Only one recipient per property. 

OHLA's Silent Auction benefits YOUR Professional Development
We need your help!

Donate an Item or Experience

Help further our efforts to provide entrée opportunities, education, and assistance to those associates & their communities in our industry. When you make a donation to our silent auction, the proceeds will benefit our Education & Training Fund (ETF) which assists hotel associates in financing their continuing education and OHLA’s Hospitality Helping Hands, an initiative created to provide support & financial assistance to those who have experienced unexpected challenges and hardships. To donate, click the button below!

Get Ready to Bid!

The auction takes place completely online using a platform called BiddingforGood. Save time by creating an account early at www.biddingforgood.com.  

Sign up to Volunteer at the OHLA Conference

Ohio! We need your help in making our Conference this year a success. It is with volunteers like you we are able to make all the things we do happen. If you are interested in taking part of volunteering opportunities at Conference click on the button below!

Or contact intern@ohla.org with your intent to take part!

Annual Conference Scholarships Available

Want to attend OHLA the 2023 Annual Conference at little to no cost to you? Take advantage of the OHLA Education & Training Fund & the Akron Destination Marketing Fund (ADMF). Scholarships are available for Sales Professionals, Emerging Professionals through ETF and those in Summit County though ADMF. Click Button Below to Apply.

For more information or questions regarding scholarships contact cindy@ohla.org. 

Last Chance to Exhibit at OHLA Conference

• Set-Up: Engage & network on the main floor thoroughfares between breakout sessions and break food & beverage.
• Timeframe: participate in two dedicated 1-hour time slots (with no scheduling competition) on Monday afternoon-only.

Reserve your exhibitor booth now at the largest gathering of lodging professionals in the state! If you are interested in expanding your brand visibility, there are still sponsorship opportunities available. 

Register to Exhibit

To Register as an exhibitor please select 'Exhibitor Member' as your registration type!

$1,500 (an $1,800 value) 

• 1 Exhibitor Booth
• 2 Full Conference Registrations (includes Gala Dinner)
• Ad in our digital event app
• Priority booth selection
• 5 Extra drink tickets to share with prospects & clients
• Exhibitor listing online and in app

$850

• 1 Exhibitor Booth
• 1 Full Conference Registration (includes Gala Dinner)
• Exhibitor listing online and in app

Annual Conference & Gala Sponsorships – Still available!

Grow your brand visibility and gain recognition with the largest gathering of lodging professionals in the state! Opportunities are still available.

Hot items:

• Annual Business Meeting
• Unique Lodging of Ohio (ULO) Private Dinner & Track
• Breakfast General Session

Interested in discussing opportunities? Schedule a 30-minute meeting with Lauren@ohla.org.

OHLA Give Back hosted by OHLA Membership Committee

Help OHLA’s Membership Committee to make this year’s OHLA Give Back, the most successful yet! See below for how YOU, your property, and/or your management company or ownership group can give back to YOUR local community. For questions or suggestions, please email Lauren@ohla.org.

Unique Lodging of Ohio Updates 

Attend NEW ULO Dinner

This year we will be hosting a Unique Lodging of Ohio dinner the night prior to our Annual Conference & Gala, on Sunday, November 19 at 6:30pm. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for additional information regarding this dinner and the ULO Education Track.

Register Here

Take Part in ULO Track

HELP WANTED! Now what?
With continued concern and efforts to solve the workforce dilemma, how do we educate and train the associates we have to understand the level of hospitality and service we expect.

360° - Your Communication Strategy
In small groupings, you will learn & discuss solutions to one of your biggest challenges –communication. From streamlining operations, solving labor challenges, increasing productivity & elevating employee engagement.  Don’t get too comfortable! A new solution will be explored at your table every 15 minutes.

Reading the Crystal Ball: Using Travel Sentiment & Behavior to tell us the way forward
Since the pandemic, the traveler has evolved and continues to do so. Based on the latest research and trends, this session will explore what we need to do to attract visitors and win their loyalty as guests.

WIL Connect Updates

WIL CONNECT at the 2023 Annual Conference

Monday, November 20, 2023; 1:30-2:30pm

Resilient Leadership: Celebrating Wins in Entrepreneurship

Lisa’s journey of growing Dos Hermanos started with a borrowed food truck & a dream. Today, Dos Hermanos holds contracts with Levy Restaurants and Aramark. Since expanding from a food truck to 4 brick-and-mortar locations, guests can now frequent Dos Hermanos at Easton Town Center, North Market Downtown, North Market Bridge Park, and Food Fort 2.0. Hear her story of working through and overcoming struggles and celebrating wins of entrepreneurship.

LISA GUTIERREZ – CEO, DOS HERMANOS

In 2012, Lisa Gutierrez left her Cheesecake Factory manager position of 10 years to follow a wild dream of starting a food truck business with her husband. They started with nothing but a borrowed food truck, $2,000 in savings, and a whole lot of ambition. Through these hopes and aspirations, they brought Dos Hermanos Taco Truck to life, bringing Vicente’s family’s authentic Oaxacan-style recipes to their community.

Session Sponsored by:

WIL CONNECT Anti-Human Trafficking Tip of the Month - November 2023

Watch for guests with an extended stay with few or no personal possessions carried in small plastic bags.

Government Affairs Update

Federal regulations on employment rules and overtime present challenges

Joint Employer Rule: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a final rule on October 26 that makes it far more likely for one business to be deemed a joint employer of another business’s employees under federal law. The new rule eliminates the clear standards and predictable consequences the current standard provides, depriving employers of the ability to reasonably forecast the risks and costs of their contracts with providers, vendors, subcontractors, and franchisees.

A detailed analysis from OHLA labor law partners Ogletree Deakins can be found in the full Government Affairs Update

Proposed Overtime Rule: OHLA, The American Hotel & Lodging Association, and other business organization coalition partners are urging members of Congress to ask the U.S. Department of Labor to withdraw proposed changes to overtime pay regulations that would increase by 70 percent the minimum salary for workers to be exempt from overtime pay requirements.

See more details in the full Government Affairs Update

Encore creates memorable experiences to engage and transform organizations with a hospitality-first approach allowing them to become an invaluable partner on the customers’ journey. As the global leader for meetings, conferences and special occasions, the Encore team of innovators and experts deliver real results through world-class service, strategy, design, technology, production, and digital solutions. Encore offers imagination and skill, the latest technical equipment, and a passion for excellence that creates innovative event solutions, which has allowed them to be the trusted partner of choice for premiere hotels and venues worldwide. For additional information, please visit encoreglobal.com.

Don McCann
Regional Sales Director TN/KY/OH/MI
donald.mccann@encoreglobal.com
M +1-615-815-5230

Education & Workforce Development Updates

Annual Conference-Student Education Day - November 20

Our student session, 'Your Story/Your Journey' will provide tools and practice to create your own “30 Second Commercial,” to use in introducing yourself to a prospective employer in an interview or other situation. The second half of the session will have students meet individually with a Hotel Manager to have your resume reviewed. Hoteliers will work with students on what to include on a resume, including experience history and clear wording. 

Learn more about Student & Educator Registration Here!

Interested in bringing students to Conference? Contact Cindy@ohla.org. 

In Demand Jobs Survey

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation & OHLA are asking YOU to complete this short survey.

Lodging Industry Leaders and Hospitality Instructors at all levels need to show the State Education & Workforce Departments the importance of having the Hospitality & Lodging Industry included and visible to all levels of students, educators and for parents to learn of the multitude of opportunities available.

Take Survey Here!

OHLA Emerging Professionals

Upcoming Third Thursday

November 16, 2023
9:00am - 12:00pm
Mid Ohio Food Collective - Grove City 
3960 Brookham Dr., Grove City, OH 43123

Register Here / More Information

A $5 donation upon registering is required to hold your spot. We need to ensure we have a showing at the event. All donations collected will be donated back to the collective.

This Third Thursday will be a little different for Emerging Professionals as we will be getting our hands dirty and volunteering at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Join us as we pack and sort food items for this wonderful cause.

It is suggested that volunteers -

• Eat before you arrive. There will be no food served.
• Wear casual, comfortable attire. For safety purposes, we cannot allow anyone to volunteer if wearing open toe shoes, sandals, or flip-flops. Prepare for warm or cool temperatures. We also recommend not wearing loose jewelry, including rings, watches, and necklaces. 
• Arrive by 8:45am so we can begin the shift right on time.

*All work shifts are subject to cancellation in the event that the Collective has no donations in need of processing.* 

Help us expand the Community! - Who are your EPs?

Introduce us to them! We would love to be an opportunity for your associates to further their education, widen their network, and help them grow as a leader.

Who can you recommend on your team? Email michele@ohla.org

One-Day Sustainable Hospitality Strategy Workshop

OHLA is thrilled to announce a unique and invaluable workshop for our esteemed hoteliers- the “One Day Strategy Workshop” presented by Sustainable Hospitality Expert and Founder of Greenluxe, Amy Wald.

This intensive one-day session is tailored for hoteliers eager to enhance their sustainability initiatives and strategies. Amy will shed light on the latest trends, best practices and actionable insights that can be directly embedded into your hotel operations.

December 6 | 11am-5pm
Limited spots available.

Register now!

Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter

Click here to view the 2023 Accountability Letter.

News from our Friends at Freedom a la Cart

We are thrilled to announce that Freedom a la Cart has been named Columbus CEO’s Best Caterer for 2023! 

Notice: Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association Annual Business Meeting

The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association will convene the annual meeting of the Association for the purpose of electing Association Trustees and Officers and for transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. This meeting will take place as part of the OHLA Annual Conference, on Tuesday Nov. 21, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Thank you to our Premier Partners for their support of the hotel & lodging industry!

Each month will will highlight a few of our Premier Partners & demonstrate how they can help YOU with your daily operations! Questions about services provided? Contact michele@ohla.org.

	As a trusted energy supplier for Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, IGS Energy has been working with the hotel industry for years. We help OHLA members like you improve the way they consume and manage their energy. Our team proactively monitors market volatility, identifies buying opportunities, and makes energy simple, so you can focus on what really matters.
	Events That Transform We’ve been creating memorable event experiences that connect, inspire, engage and transform organizations for decades. With a customer-first mindset and a hospitality focus, we have an unmatched breadth and depth of event production services to support our customers through every step in the event planning and management process.