[Oct. 23, 2020] - Latest Activity on Behalf of Oregon's Hospitality Industry
In case you weren't aware, the ORLA Live! (virtual event for the industry) is coming up in just over two weeks, November 9-10. We've created a dynamic agenda with something for everyone–you can participate live or listen later–so please share with your networks! A couple things to know:
Linked here is the latest email from Michael Wood on the Oregon OSHA situation. We have registered our displeasure with the agency taking on two rule making processes at the same time – finalizing their infectious disease standard rule while also redefining employer responsibility and reassessing fines. Both processes have widespread involvement by the business lobby. We have been more involved at ORLA on the infectious disease standard rule while others in the industry have been helping with the employer responsibility definition and fines which seem focused on the manufacturing sector. Reach out with any questions about these processes because it is confusing and better communication from Oregon OSHA’s director would be helpful. We're asking him to create a one page memo communicating more clearly that these two public processes are happening at the same time. ORLA is launching digital campaigns around two issues with the goal of pressuring the Governor’s Office to move off of these arbitrary rules – the 10 pm statewide curfew and the 100 person indoor max occupancy (including staff). We have critical mass when we launch these campaigns – the question is whether they will make a difference in getting the Governor to move away from these challenging rules. The Governor’s office confirmed last night that we ‘flooded’ their inboxes on the 10pm curfew issue. A big thanks to Nicole Peterson for her work on both of these campaigns. We will launch the second digital campaign and flood their inboxes again on Monday for the 100 person indoor cap issue. When we take on this strategy rest assured I give the Governor’s office a call and a ‘heads up’ – the goal is to give the staff plenty of ammunition when they interact with the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor to showcase just how necessary these changes are. If you haven't already, please sign up to be a Hospitality Advocate and receive text alerts by texting "ORLA" to 52886. On a side note we are sad to report that Nicole Peterson’s last day as ORLA’s Government Affairs Coordinator will be this Wednesday. ORLA prides itself on having a Government Affairs Coordinator position that provides an exceptional development opportunity in the government affairs arena here in Oregon. Nicole will be taking on an expanded role at the Oregon Department of Education and our team looks forward to seeing her around and working with her as she takes on this new challenge. Thank you Nicole for your amazing work! The Oregon Tourism Commission released their Regional Funding Report representing lodging tax revenue declines for Oregon’s 7 tourism regions and the organizations who receive funds in those 7 regions to promote tourism and help increase economic activity for our industry. The numbers are tough and the forecasts are grim, but we wanted to share for general awareness of the financial shortfalls our promotional partners will be dealing with as they try to determine how to best spend limited funds to get people back in our hotels and restaurants. As always reach out with any questions or comments about any of the updates we have to share.
[Oct. 21, 2020] - Latest Updates From Your Association
Oregon OSHA is working to finalize a temporary rule for infectious disease standards in the workplace. The temporary rule is meant to replace Phase 2 guidelines once in effect and for our industry, the rule replicates the guidance we are already following for Phase 2 counties from the Oregon Health Authority. ORLA serves on the committee to review the final draft of the rule. Unfortunately, the committee plans involve a new ‘exposure risk assessment’ process and ‘infection control plan’ that will need to be instituted by all Oregon employers in November. The official communication coming out of the Governor’s office is that Oregon OSHA’s temporary COVID-19 Rule will be adopted 10/21 and go into effect 11/1. More details to come on this; read the applicable attachments that have been shared with the workgroup below.
ORLA’s Nicole Peterson testified on behalf of our association last week as part of a Management-Labor Advisory Committee hearing (MLAC). The big issue we have been dealing with in this process is the debate over whether a workers' compensation presumption should apply when an employee is infected with COVID-19. The business lobby, including ORLA, came out in full force for the last committee meeting on October 9th and testified against a presumption that would say it is presumed the workplace was responsible for the infection. At the end of the meeting, MLAC committee members discussed the possibility of drafting a compromise or a much more limited presumption. Obviously, the business lobby wants nothing less than no presumption, and the labor side wants the opposite. It is to be determined on what they decide to do and what they move forward with recommending.
Over the past few weeks ORLA has held numerous Listening Sessions with Legislators including one with Speaker Tina Kotek. One member's comment really resonated on what the industry is facing. It was from nightclub owner, Brad McCray (Candy and Sanctuary in Portland) who joined us in discussing the arbitrary 10pm curfew (listen here). Stories like the one Brad shared are why we do this work. Common sense must prevail and we all need to keep up the fight to get modifications to the arbitrary rules (like the curfew and 100-person indoor cap regardless of indoor space).
ORLA is preparing for some important Zoom discussions with Employment Department Director David Gerstenfeld on October 26 and 27 for foodservice and lodging operators, respectively. In preparation for those conversations we are receiving comments from operators on how the relationship with the Employment Department could be improved as we prepare for the new rate structure. The new payroll tax rate for Unemployment Insurance (UI) will be announced mid-November and will take effect January 1. If you haven't already, please RSVP for these calls by emailing Glenda Hamstreet. 
[Oct. 13, 2020] - Unemployment Insurance (UI) Taxes Paid By You Deserve Extra Attention
Every November, the Oregon Employment Department announces the rate schedule for Unemployment Insurance (UI) paid by employers through payroll tax for the upcoming calendar year. It should come as no surprise the rate employers will pay for 2021 is of concern to the hospitality industry given the adverse continuing impact the pandemic has had on available jobs due to decreased demand and health guidelines. ORLA has opened up lines of communication with the Director’s Office at the Oregon Employment Department for interested members. On October 26 and 27, Interim Employment Department Director David Gerstenfeld will join hospitality operators to provide an update on Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and the process undertaken to keep the fund solvent. Included here is a recent presentation provided by Director Gerstenfeld to a handful of business colleagues representing various industries in Oregon. Currently, Oregon is in Rate Schedule 2 out of 8 possible rate structures. All 8 schedules (which you can view on Slide 6) have a range of possible payroll tax rates paid by employers. Each employer's actual rate depends on their ‘experience rating’ – the lower your experience rating the lower your applicable tax rate within each rate schedule. Please plan to join us for an important discussion about the unemployment insurance taxes you pay at the applicable time below:
RSVP to join us for one of the upcoming Zoom discussions by emailing Glenda Hamstreet.
[Oct. 6, 2020] - There's More Work to Be Done
ORLA remains focused on engaging our local and state government leaders as we work to get all of Oregon’s 36 counties into Phase Two operations. We still have 4 counties to go so please take action if you have not done so already if you live or run your business in Malheur, Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington Counties. Our state has wrestled with two emergencies at the same time and key professional staff at ORLA have been working with officials at FEMA as we work to address fallout from Oregon wildfires on top of the impacts felt by us all from COVID. A big thanks to the professional staff at ORLA for finding a way to assist with shelter coordination efforts. Our efforts as a state association were recently recognized across the country in a recent FEMA presentation. That slide is included here as well as the bullet points referenced demonstrating the public/private partnership efforts. 
There is so much left to accomplish. In addition to Phase Two for all Oregon counties we have proven our industry can operate safely and mitigate virus spread. As a result, it would be incredibly helpful to see the State of Oregon extend our 10pm curfew to midnight in acknowledgment of your hard work and also provide more flexibility on the 100 maximum (including staff) for indoor operations when square footage allows for safe social distancing of associated parties (10 people or less) in numbers larger than 100.
[Oct. 1, 2020] - It’s October 1 - The Clock is Ticking
We're asking Oregon hospitality operators to take action now to protect the viability of small businesses in Malhuer, Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah Counties. We must enter Phase 2 across Oregon before the weather turns. Watch video for more information. Call to Action: If you’re in Phase One, contact your county commissioners today and make sure they know what’s at stake for you and the Oregonians you employ. Clackamas County Commissioners: Malheur County Commissioners (chair is called Judge): Multnomah County Commissioners: Washington County Commissioners:
[To continue reading previous blog posts from ORLA's CEO, click "Read More" to the right]
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[Updated 10.22.20] Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) The new Commercial Activity Tax is imposed only after a taxpayer exceeds $1 million of taxable commercial activity. Once they pass that threshold, the tax is $250 plus 0.57% on gross receipts greater than $1 million after subtractions. Proceeds of the tax are directed by statute to boost funding for public schools. The Department of Revenue's website includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for tax payers to better understand what the tax is and who is subject to the tax. ORLA Updates:
Latest Announcements from the Department of Revenue and ORLA:
 Click image to download CAT calculator example. Resources & Webinars to Help You Understand the CAT The Commercial Activity Tax is complicated and calculating your potential tax can be confusing. Therefore, ORLA has created a CAT calculator example to help our members understand how to calculate the tax. This exercise is only meant to help you project what your tax liability could be; as always, be sure to consult your tax advisors. ORLA hosted two members-only informational webinars on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 that explained the new tax, the Department’s implementation plans and what you can expect as a business owner. Tax experts with accounting firm Moss Adams LLP in Portland also provided some best tax practices for the hospitality industry. ORLA members can access the slide deck from the presentation by logging into the Member Portal on ORLA's website and clicking the Resource Library. FAQ: Can we include the CAT tax on our customers’ bill? A. The legislation that established the CAT (Oregon Laws 2019, Chapters 122 and 579) does not specifically prohibit a business from passing on additional cost of the tax. If you do choose to add a new line item to the receipt, the line item itself still counts as “commercial activity” when determining your tax liability. Consult with an attorney or financial advisor before making any final decisions. How the Commercial Activities Tax Came About This was one of the 2019 Legislative Session bills having the biggest impact on businesses. ORLA was opposed to this bill as it raised taxes on commercial activity for businesses with gross revenues of over one million dollars. ORLA, along with others in the business community, was able to amend the original bill to include a deduction for labor or cost of goods sold. The association will work during the rule making session to ensure hospitality businesses will be able to include the tax increase on receipts so customers can see the impact of the tax. Additional Information and Timeline for the CAT
 DOR Sought Industry Input in CAT Rule Making The Department of Revenue (DOR) held a series of town hall meetings across the state in September-October to seek input from business taxpayers about the administrative rules for Oregon’s new Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). Nearly 900 business taxpayers and tax professionals took part in these public forums or participated in video conferences and conference calls. More information is now available on the CAT page of DOR website. If you have any questions, please email Greg Astley, Director of Government Affairs, at Astley@OregonRLA.org. This is for general informational purposes only. The information is not, and should not be relied upon or regarded as, legal advice. Please consult with your legal advisors. The 10pm closure time is confounding to the hospitality industry. Nothing about COVID-19 changes after 10pm. It is still a virus our industry takes seriously, and we have completely changed our businesses to accommodate for its realities. With the information we have available seven months into the pandemic, the 10pm closure is not based on science and does not reflect the reality of the situation regarding transmission of the disease. It’s time to demand answers for why businesses cannot be allowed to operate past 10pm. Ask the Governor why this limitation still exists and let her know where you stand! Hospitality businesses are taking extra efforts to protect our communities, our customers, and our employees, and now we need help to make it on the other side of winter. We need the Governor to listen to us and trust us to help keep Oregonians safe.
 Hospitality and Tourism Professionals to Embark on Experiences of a Lifetime
Wilsonville, OR – In partnership with Travel Oregon and the Oregon Destination Association, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is proud to announce the launch of Year 2 for the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA). Participants will begin their first multi-day program experience in Eastern Oregon, April 28-30, 2021, pursuing in-depth experiences and knowledge that will elevate their passion and excitement for our state’s extraordinary offerings. The deadline to apply for the class launching in 2021 is Friday, December 4, 2020. “Much has changed in our world since the inception of the program and we're seeing incredible things happen with the current program participants who are half way through the inaugural year experience," said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. "The value of program experiences and professional connectivity created by the program will provide lasting benefits to those accepted to the program each year.” OTLA has spent great deal of time and attention into keeping all participants safe in the age of COVID-19 and are committed to refining all logistics and experiences each year to protect the integrity of the program and the value it brings to those involved. The Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy is a new experiential learning program targeted to tourism professionals seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy. An advisory committee of tourism industry representatives helped shape the development of the program through a shared vision of cultivating stronger champions for Oregon's tourism industry. The program consists of four multi-day excursions to be completed over the course of a year. ORLA has been intentional in its pursuit of activating industry champions and the OTLA program supports that goal. The academy provides a compounding benefit of bringing people together for learning through experiences and empowering them to make lasting contributions to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Participants will create lifelong relationships and networking pathways through their connections. For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit OregonRLA.org/OTLA. ### The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 10,220 foodservice locations and 2,000 lodging establishments with a workforce of 183,191, and a total economic impact of $13.8 billion in annual sales for Oregon. Property tax season is upon us, and many property owners will be paying very close attention to their bills in 2020. Due to Oregon’s unique property tax laws, often the real market value and the assessed value of a property are very different, which can result in bills increasing even if the real market value of a property dropped in the year assessed.
If you want to appeal your property taxes, there are three general reasons for filing:
Unfortunately, these kinds of appeals do not consider financial distress. To appeal, you must file your petition by December 31st with the Board of Property Tax Appeals (BOPTA) clerks in your county. To see contact information for clerks in each county, click here. Be sure to visit your county’s website for the correct appeal forms and fee information, or contact the clerk for them. Appeals are reviewed by your county’s Board of Property Tax Appeals, made up of members from the community appointed by your county’s Commissioners. Appeals are typically heard by the Board between February through April. If you disagree with their valuation decision, you can then appeal to the Magistrate Division of the Oregon Tax Court by filing forms and paying a fee. To appeal beyond that, this chart has more information on where and when you must file an appeal—note that some of these dates may be extended by emergency declarations due to COVID-19. If you have a special appeal situation, for example, needing to contest previous assessment years, read more guidance from the Oregon Department of Revenue on how to file an appeal.  As work begins on developing a new strategic plan that is responsive to Oregon’s ever-dynamic tourism economy, Travel Oregon and the state’s seven official regional destination management organizations have launched a survey to seek input from communities, local businesses and individuals that drive the state’s tourism economy.
Information collected through the survey will help Travel Oregon and regional partners set strategic direction, make funding and programmatic decisions in marketing, grants, tourism-related infrastructure, visitor management, and more. Respondents can expect to answer questions related to what they currently experiencing as a result of wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest, and what they and their communities need most to rebuild and support a strong, resilient and racially just Oregon tourism economy. Please expect the survey to take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please make sure before you begin that you have ample time to complete it from start to finish. The survey period closes October 30, 2020 at 5 p.m.  Today SAIF announced ORLA/SAIF partners are receiving $299,813 in dividends from SAIF for their 2019 policy period. These dividends are being paid to members this week. While dividends cannot be guaranteed and are declared at the discretion by SAIF’s Board of Directors, this clearly represents another advantage of being part of the ORLA/SAIF program. “Our partnership with SAIF Corporation over the past 3 years is assisting the hospitality industry in our continual pursuit of top tier safety for hard working employees across this state,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of ORLA. “Being a part of the ORLA/SAIF group is a no brainer when you add the potential for dividend payments each policy year to the group discount operators receive when they qualify for the program. We look forward to the ongoing partnership with SAIF Corporation as industry operators work to save every penny they can.” ORLA’s endorsed service partnership with SAIF gives eligible ORLA members a workers’ compensation group discount that is validated by NCCI and approved by DCBS. As the restaurant and lodging industries face some of the most difficult workplace safety challenges, this partnership aims to reduce worker injuries and improve member’s safety programs. During the pandemic, SAIF has remained open for business, serving Oregon's employers and workers. This has included taking steps to help injured workers who faced challenges accessing care and working to reduce the financial burden on businesses. Ask your agent for an ORLA Group quote or contact SAIF directly at 888.598.5880. About SAIF SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.  Watch Now: "No Recess Without Relief" New Coalition Of Public And Private Sector Leaders Call On Congress To Act On COVID Relief Before Election
Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2020) – COVID RELIEF NOW, a new coalition of nearly 200 major public and private sector groups across the U.S., today called for “No Recess without Relief” imploring Congress to not leave town for the 2020 elections without passing additional COVID economic relief – stating millions of jobs and survival of small businesses as well as vital government services are on the line. The coalition stated that if Congress fails to act, millions of employees will be furloughed or terminated; millions of unemployed Americans will lose their unemployment insurance pandemic benefits; hundreds of thousands of companies will be at risk of closing their doors forever; and the vast majority of state and local governments will have to curtail critical services in order to balance budgets due to a decline in tax revenue. Read the letter signed by coalition members, including the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, that was sent to Congress today: This week is pivotal for COVID relief legislation and we must do everything we can to make sure our voice is heard. We need you to add your voice to ours. Write, call, and tweet your elected officials and tell them that the hotel industry’s needs must be included in any final bill. Take action and share this message with your colleagues!  A Family of Hardworking Winners
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." – Amy Poehler, actress Many of us who have been around for a while refer to those in our industry as our “Hospitality Family.” The more someone works around those who are committed to service, the more connected and inspired they themselves often become. With the onset of the pandemic, never has the innovative spirit, business savvy, and caring soul of our ‘family’ been so challenged. Our team at the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) and the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association see the daily struggles of our hospitality business partners and have been inspired by the innovative solutions launched in response. Encouraged by these efforts to address their business’ and community’s needs, we too have initiated proactive efforts in support. FOUNDATION INITIATIVES In my last article, I mentioned that the foundation’s Board of Directors took steps to strengthen our organization, including: renaming ourselves the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, expanding our mission to support philanthropic projects, launching new fundraising programs, and creating new training support appropriate to current needs. What’s happened since? New Training We have received requests for training assistance with the unique guest service and communication difficulties currently being experienced because of the pandemic. In response, we are creating an online series of easily digestible micro-sessions that share tips on how associates can provide positive service while still supporting safety protocols. The theme, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ focuses on helping prevent uncomfortable scenarios from escalating and causing unwelcome consequences by anticipating potential scenarios and practicing responses. Topics include;
We are grateful for a grant from Travel Oregon, sponsorship from Dutch Bros Coffee and EPB&B insurance, and our partnership with Togather Restaurant Consulting and VPW Media for their project support. We expect the series to be released in early fall. See release updates at OregonGuestServiceSafety.org. Takeout and A Movie Fundraiser Currently, we have raised and donated money to fourteen restaurants throughout the state who are providing a variety of solutions for helping feed those with food insecurity. Many of these restaurants are working to incorporate ongoing food support as part of their business model. Read more about these folks who are working hard to help change people’s lives by providing them with caring meals in our Champions article on page 16. You can also see a press release summary at bit.ly/OHFhelpawards. Additional awards are still available, see the application at OregonRLA.org/takeoutapp. We also collaborated with Cycle Oregon and Filmed by Bike to present a film festival and Q&A that focused attention on the economic benefits of the hospitality and tourism industry to Oregon’s communities and now our industry’s own critical need for public support. A portion of the event’s proceeds were donated to the Cycle Oregon Fund, a grant program that supports projects including tourism and community projects particularly in rural areas. Education Top of mind for many families are the myriad of struggles encountered in coping with the new demands of virtual education for students, parents, teachers, and our entire education system. We have been actively involved with discovering and creating resources for those who use our workforce training and Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum, such as ProStart. One example was our partnership with Rouxbe, an online culinary school for professionals, to provide their academic resources and videos to ProStart schools on a free trial basis and later for reduced fees. We are also seeking sponsorships and grant funding that will enable us to provide online and on-demand videos to support teachers’ virtual curriculum needs. The vision is to feature industry colleagues who will highlight various aspects such as job opportunities, facility tours, career pathways, customer service techniques, new safety protocols in place, and/or offer engaging skill-building demonstrations. Additionally, we are collaborating with Chemeketa Community College, the Oregon Coast Visitor’s Association, and the state’s workforce boards to ensure that quality hospitality training is available and accessible online, particularly for entry-level and supervisory positions. The goal is to help employees ‘hit the ground running,’ in order to reduce onsite training time needed and offer immediate value to employers. RESILIENCE I have yet to find the right words that portray my realistic recognition of the enormity of current challenges, particularly for our industry, nor my optimism that we will eventually recover. However, no one knows how to work harder than our Hospitality Family, so maybe the quote below is appropriate and helps explain my optimism about the outcome of our efforts, together. “As much as talent counts, effort counts twice.” - Angela Duckworth, American academic, psychologist and popular science author HOW YOU CAN HELP Unfortunately, looking toward the upcoming fiscal year, the foundation anticipates a 75 percent drop in revenue due to contract and sponsor funding reductions from affected partners. Your in-kind and financial contributions are greatly appreciated so that we may sustain and continue our good work. You can donate today at bit.ly/OHFDonation. Thank you. | Wendy Popkin, Oregon Hospitality Foundation About Wendy Popkin is the Executive Director of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, a nonprofit 501c3 dedicated to providing educational, training, and philanthropic support to Oregon’s restaurant, lodging, and tourism industry. Wendy is a 35-year career veteran who describes herself as “fanatically enthusiastic about helping others enjoy the same type of fabulous career opportunities I have enjoyed in the hospitality industry.” OregonHospitalityFoundation.org  PORTLAND - SEPTEMBER 30 Earlier this month, over 500 volunteers came together to clean up downtown Portland and now there's another cleanup event planned for September 30th. This is another opportunity for the hospitality industry to show our community what we are capable of on behalf of our City, our businesses and our employees. Join the Portland Lodging Alliance, ORLA staff, SOLVE, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Schlesinger Companies, and the Portland Business Alliance for a Downtown Litter Cleanup Day! We'll be meeting at parks and businesses throughout downtown, giving each check-in location ample space to clean and improve. All cleanup supplies will be provided. Wednesday, September 30, 2020 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Check-in (runs until 11:30 am) Portland - different locations There will be several starting locations in Portland including: The Benson Hotel, South Park Blocks, Salmon St. Springs, and I-405 Corridor. Pre-registration is required to ensure staggered start times for social distancing and for equipment pick-up. LINCOLN CITY - OCTOBER 9 It has been amazing to see everyone come together in support of the community during both the pandemic and now these horrendous fires. The goodwill towards helping each other is a tremendous lift as we continue to fight through these challenges. One opportunity where we can help the coast community is the Lincoln City Hospitality Beach Clean-Up, an event ORLA organized with the help of SOLVE Oregon. This community-building event will showcase once again the love and support we have for Lincoln City. Friday, October 9th, 2020 10:00 am -12:00 pm D River Wayside in Lincoln City Understanding the staffing issues you may face, having at least one member from your team participate would be outstanding and greatly appreciated. Please also share this information with others in the community, as we encourage your colleagues, family and friends to join us. Thank you!
FEMA REQUESTS SHELTERING OPPORTUNITIES The State of Oregon is experiencing some of the most unprecedented emergencies to date affecting thousands of people throughout the region. As people are forced to evacuate their homes, the State of Oregon is committed to finding non-congregate sheltering and assistance for evacuees. In partnership with the American Red Cross, State and Federal agencies to better coordinate efforts we are asking for your help to lodge evacuees in the short term. Your local Destination Management Organization (DMO)/Convention or Visitor Bureau/Chamber of Commerce will be calling you soon to collect lodging data on a regular basis. They will be asking lodging properties for the following:
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Matt Finn at Travel Oregon. Are you already providing lodging to evacuees? See below information to share with them. There may also be a need for long term lodging for evacuees. If you are a lodging facility that can help the people of Oregon’s recent disasters, please register in the FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA) Portal. Registration not only allows FEMA to easily locate your facility but also enables the agency to provide reimbursement for housing of evacuees. On this site, businesses providing lodging can find program FAQs, a user guide, and other information to clarify program requirements. Please note that the Oregon Department of Revenue will not be collecting lodging taxes for rooms using either FEMA transition shelter assistance or Red Cross hotel vouchers due to wildfire displacement. We expect that local jurisdictions in Oregon will adopt the same practice. If local transient lodging taxes do not need to be collected, depending on your local jurisdiction these room rents may still need to be reported with all other rents on any transient lodging tax reports you may fill out. However, those rents paid with vouchers would be deducted. Please check with your local government on this subject.  IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS & BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY WILDFIRES
General information:
FEMA's highest priority right now is ensuring disaster survivors understand there are services available and the first step is getting registered. FEMA is asking if our lodging partners, especially those currently lodging evacuees, are willing to distribute the following attachments:
Please consider printing the flyer for display and have copies on hand for individuals. Also, it would be very helpful and appreciated if lodging partners could post one, or all of the attached graphics on their social medial accounts to help get the message out. See also some important information for those working to recover from the fires:
The goal is to amplify the messaging to both lodging entities AND victims affected by the recent disasters to ensure they are registered with FEMA to get assistance. For more wildfire information:  The word of the year is “unprecedented.” In our lifetimes, we have never seen such devastation – lives, property, and businesses lost to circumstances outside of our control.
What is incredible is how many of you have responded. You saw the need and rose to the occasion, offering lodging for people who have lost everything, free meals for the community, and hope for the future. There is a reason Oregon is known for its hospitality, and it’s on full display in the most challenging of times for our industry. Thank you! We couldn’t be more proud of our community’s spirit and resolve. Because we know how challenging circumstances are right now, here is some information you need to know in response to Oregon’s wildfires. Public Safety Power Shutoffs Please be aware of current policies from your regional utilities. Both Portland General Electric and Pacific Power have indicated they will continue with policies to cut power in extreme conditions. Pacific Power has a monitor to check for potential areas affected by this policy. Portland General Electric has enacted shutoffs in response to the conditions near Mt. Hood; read more on the PGE FAQ. Utilities are generally looking at several factors before making this decision and are committing to proactive communication. The Pacific Power criteria includes:
Be sure to have a plan in place for such emergency conditions. Contact your local health authority for more information on what they would require for maintaining operations in an emergency. Feel free to contact your Membership Representative with questions or to connect with others who have explored this subject. How Can I Help? Please visit Travel Oregon’s Ways To Help During Oregon Wildfires, a guide for where to donate money, supplies, and volunteer time. To get the latest updates and links to safety registries, mental health resources, current condition reports, and more, visit Wildfire.oregon.gov. If you are looking for hotels offering discounts for fire evacuees in the valley, visit Travel Portland's resource page. Nicole Peterson ORLA Government Affairs Coordinator  Educator Resources ProStart Curriculum Are you interested in transitioning to a CTE culinary program? ProStart® curriculum, hands on training, and experiences benefit your students as they learn how to choose items and make creative menus based on nutrition and budget, utilize safe sanitation techniques, and discover and practice important job readiness and ‘soft skills.’ These skills include communication, teamwork and decision-making, all while learning about the multiple high opportunity / high wage careers the food service industry offers. “Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts” was developed by subject-matter experts and is published by the NRAEF. The two levels of the curriculum – Level One and Level Two – are not designed to be sequential; this makes it possible for small schools with limited resources to offer the ProStart program to students.
To learn more about resources available, what fits your needs and budget or to order ProStart® curriculum for your school, contact Irina Bakun at 971.224.1515. Distance Learning
Food Waste Education Utilize this free, interactive Hotel|Kitchen toolkit to demonstrate how different roles in the kitchen and hotels can impact waste, as well the bottom line. ProStart Teacher's Education Session Fall 2019 Resources In November 2019 Metro's Sustainability and Food Waste team gave a presentation to ProStart teachers on food systems, food waste and climate change. Access Metro and Sustainability curriculum, presentation and additional Food Waste Prevention Resources online. NRAEF Summer Institutes Work towards earning the NRAEF Certified Secondary Foodservice Educator certification. You will learn from faculty composed of nationally-recognized content experts, network among peers, and tour restaurant and foodservice facilitiesRegistration for the NRAEF Summer Institutes is now open. Learn more. Student Resources ProStart® prepares you to explore a wide range of career opportunities. Careers in nutrition, hospitality management, viticulture, product development, agriculture, culinary arts and customer service are just a few of the options for ProStart® students. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Education Foundation (ORLAEF) and the National Restaurant Association are proud to offer Oregon ProStart seniors a scholarship opportunity in support of post secondary education. Guest Service Gold Scholarships for Students NRAEF has funded a limited number of free scholarships, value at $30, for students to earn an internationally accredited CTE-recognized certification, Certified Guest Service Professional, using a curriculum with real Oregon employees and their stories of customer challenges. More than 800 Oregon industry professionals have been certified since the program’s launch. Contact Sue Smith at 800.462.0619 for scholarship codes. National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) Scholarships Students, military servicemen and women and others can now apply for scholarship awards to pursue their dreams of becoming future leaders of the restaurant and foodservice industry. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and can be used towards tuition and fees, books, room and board and other school-related expenses. The scholarships have no age restrictions. Individuals can apply at any age, whether they're recent high-school graduates or adults looking to make a career change. Learn more and apply.
Industry-Related Programs and Courses These facilities offer skills-based education for those looking to gain proficiencies to help them enter the hospitality industry as well as programs geared to those already employed who want to add credentials to their experience. See list of schools on ORLAEF's page. Career Pathways Try a new and simple tool to explore a broad selection of restaurant and foodservice positions and chart a course that matches your skills with your career goals. Explore the tool. Learn more about how ORLAEF partners with the industry to provide workforce development solutions. ProStart Invitational Resources
The 2020 ProStart Invitational was held Monday, March 2, 2020, at the Salem Convention Center. Download forms, templates and documents related to the event:
Update Sept. 10, 2020 - The Governor issued today Executive Order 20-42, declaring an abnormal market disruption as a result of the statewide wildfire emergency. This order is in response to reports of unusual increases in lodging rates for Oregonians who have evacuated fire areas and concern that the wildfire emergency may prevent ready availability of other essential consumer goods and services.
Oregon lodging operators have the opportunity to showcase our best in service and hospitality as we open our doors to displaced families needing shelter in the wake of wildfires. This is not the time for unreasonable price hikes as families and loved ones seek shelter at a time of crisis. Oregon’s hospitality industry answered the call for emergency responders fighting COVID around Oregon with over 300 lodging properties signing up to assist in our collective effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. We are being called to action again by offering competitive pricing in our markets for those needing overnight shelters and to provide families and loved ones with a rate they can rely on as they determine their next steps. Be a leader in this space. Showcase what it means to bring Oregon hospitality to your guests and be a part of the rallying cry in a time of crisis by extending some comfort and certainty at your place of business for those you serve. Be advised the Governor has initiated an Executive Order directing the Attorney General to prosecute price gouging. Let’s step up and prove this particular executive order is unnecessary because of the leadership our lodging operators provide in times of crisis. How You Can Help: Make sure to reach out to your local destination management and marketing organizations to provide information on the availability of rooms at your location. It is crucial that the Office of Emergency Management have the latest information regarding available rooms for overnight stays at reasonable rates. Look for more information coming soon on ways you can help from Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. Frequently Asked Questions from Oregon DOJ Consumer Protection: What is price gouging?
When is a price “unconscionably excessive”?
Are there exceptions to price gouging, and if so - what are they?
What can I do if I suspect price gouging?
Sincerely, Jason Brandt President & CEO Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Update Sept. 4: Over 500 volunteers participated in the cleanup event and 3,290 pounds of trash out were removed out of downtown Portland! Many thanks to all the volunteers from Portland hotels, the Portland Lodging Alliance, Portland Business Alliance, and ORLA staff for their efforts. Some of the news coverage:
Portland, Aug. 27 - SOLVE, Portland Business Alliance, Portland Lodging Alliance, and others are rallying together to host a cleanup of Downtown Portland on September 3. This event open to the public for anyone who is interested in volunteering for the cleanup effort. Register here. SOLVE has hosted several cleanups downtown since June, supporting hundreds of Portlanders who have wanted to care for their community through volunteer litter cleanup. The purpose of the September 3 Downtown Portland Cleanup is to send a clear message to the Portland community that the Portland business district is an open, safe, and clean place to visit, while inviting the community to join the effort. “As the challenges in Portland continue to impact businesses, I think we all have a responsibility” explains George Schweitzer, Chairman for the Portland Lodging Alliance and Managing Director of The Benson Hotel. “This is an important event for businesses to come together, along with the Portland community at large, to show that we are a strong and resilient city, and that we can come together to restore our vibrant streets so that people can feel safe to explore and help our businesses thrive.” Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE echoes his sentiments stating, “SOLVE prides itself on offering a safe space for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in their community. A volunteer litter cleanup brings everyone together because it is a simple activity that all can support. At the end of the day, it’s about caring for the place we call home.” The event will begin at multiple locations throughout downtown, to accommodate the need for social distancing during volunteer check-in, while also allowing for the maximum amount of interested volunteers to participate given group gathering restrictions. The event will follow all SOLVE’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines including requiring participants to wear a face covering, maintain a minimum of six feet of distance, and only providing sanitized cleanup equipment to volunteers, among other measures. Volunteers will focus on removing large items of litter and debris, while also focusing on picking up cigarette butts that often end up in storm drains and pollute the nearby Willamette River and other waterways. Community members who would like to get involved in the volunteer event should visit solveoregon.org to pre-register. SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. The Portland Business Alliance is greater Portland’s Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region. Our vision is a healthy and resilient business ecosystem. Visit PortlandAlliance.com for more information. The Portland Lodging Alliance is a volunteer-led sub-chapter of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). Members of ORLA's staff will be participating in this event alongside the Portland Lodging Alliance in support of the lodging industry and improving the downtown environment. Contact: Larissa Gordon, 860-942-9108, larissa@solveoregon.org Contact: Larissa Gordon ORLA is committed to welcoming diverse perspectives, experiences and approaches to foster a stronger, inclusive, and more informed hospitality industry. As an association representing a business sector with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses than any other industry, we do not tolerate racism, discrimination or hatred. We are an industry focused on building communities–inclusive of all–and we are taking more proactive steps to ensure we are leading by example.
To provide authentic leadership and help promote diversity and inclusion, ORLA strives to:
We need to do more, and we will do more to be a part of the change that must take place starting in our own communities. [Aug. 25, 2020] - The following letter was submitted by ORLA to Metro Council in response to the delayed implementation of the Business Food Waste Requirement
Metro Council - As you are well aware, the foodservice industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus scares many of our customers and workers from coming back until it’s safe. Employers are scrambling to try to pivot their business models and maintain enough cashflow to keep their employees’ jobs intact. People have poured their lives into their small business, only to see it jeopardized by something completely out of their control. It’s no surprise we’re seeing closure after closure. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association commends Metro for taking action in response to these uncertain times. While the business food waste requirement has worthy goals, this pandemic calls for foodservice operators to dedicate all attention and resources available to protecting their workers and their jobs. By delaying the implementation of these rules, you are recognizing this challenge, and for that, we say thank you. Our recommendation to Metro is to consider delaying implementation until all jurisdictions under Metro’s purview have entered Phase 3. The foodservice industry is built on hospitality and face to face interaction. We will not enter any sort of normalcy until our customers and workers feel safe enough to venture outside their homes and see friends and family. Until then, many operators will simply not have the resources in personnel, time, or financial capital to dedicate to this important business change. In the interim, we are more than happy to continue as your partner in providing educational opportunities to foodservice operators to help eliminate waste and reduce costs. Nicole Peterson Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association [Metro] Comment on implementation delay On March 20, 2020 Metro temporarily delayed implementation of the Business Food Waste Requirement for 6 months in order to assess the effects of COVID-19 and to allow time make a permanent decision about the program. Given the breadth of impacts of the pandemic Metro has chosen to further delay implementation and is in the process of amending Administrative Rules to reflect this change. Metro is seeking comments and feedback in relation to the implementation date change and resulting proposed changes to the Administrative Rules. Administrative rule 4.000-4.085 ORLA sent a letter this morning to Representative Nancy Nathanson, Chair, Members of the House Interim Committee on Revenue, and the Senate Finance Committee urging them to oppose Legislative Concept 2. Please see the following call to action and take action today, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Stop the Tax Sneak Attack! Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse, the Oregon Legislature is now set to pass an ill-conceived proposal that would effectively impose $225 million in taxes on Oregon businesses, including restaurants and lodging, struggling to recover from the staggering impacts of the COVID shut downs. But instead of admitting this is a new tax burden on struggling businesses, they will say this is simply a technical change, impacting only a few wealthy Oregonians. That’s simply not true. Many Oregon businesses will lose much-needed cash if this tax increase moves forward. Please contact the governor, your legislators, and the House Revenue Committee immediately and tell them THIS PROPOSAL ISN’T FAIR to thousands of Oregon employers struggling to survive – and hundreds of thousands of unemployed Oregonians that want to go back to work.
Email your legislators today and tell them this sneak attack isn’t fair. Tell them to oppose this backdoor tax increase. ACT NOW. The Legislature is set to meet in special session on Monday, and all signs are that this bad idea is set to be fast-tracked through the process.  PORTLAND, Oregon– Updated August 3, 2020 – While the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, the hospitality industry was the first hit by closures and one that has been especially devastated by its impact. The Oregon Hospitality Foundation(OHF) is proud to announce awards to fourteen restaurants throughout Oregon that responded to the incredible need for food by creating innovative programs to help feed their communities – from essential workers to unemployed restaurant staff and food-insecure neighbors. In addition to the generous support from the Grubhub Community Relief Fund, OHF will donate a percentage of proceeds from its virtual event series, Takeout & A Movie, to support restaurants and tourism partners across the state that are making a difference in our communities.
According to the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, as of April 2020 81% of restaurant employees (approximately 127,000 people in Oregon) had been laid off or furloughed. “Being of service is at the heart of the hospitality industry,” said OHF Executive Director Wendy Popkin. “The Oregon Hospitality Foundation is proud to help raise funds and contribute to family-owned restaurants across the state who are stepping up to feed people in their communities.” OHF Hospitality Help Fund Restaurant Awards The following Oregon restaurants received funds for their ongoing work to feed frontline workers, food-insecure citizens, and unemployed service industry professionals:
About Oregon Hospitality Foundation The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) was established in 1992 and is a nonprofit 501c3 that supports the charitable relief needs and ongoing educational and training requirements of Oregon’s Hospitality industry. OHF’s partners include restaurants, lodging, attractions and other tourism businesses and organizations throughout Oregon. Recently, OHF created the Oregon Hospitality Help Fund as an emergency relief fund to raise money for its hospitality partners whose businesses and employees are struggling during the pandemic. To date more than ten restaurants have received funding to donate an estimated 11,500 meals. Oregon restaurants interested in applying for these funds can complete an online application here. For more information about supporting our work with a donation or sponsorship, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Media Contact: Lisa Hill, lisa@lisahillpr.com, 503.730.8055 The City of Portland needs to hear from you. Safety and security for restaurant and lodging employees and our guests is paramount as is ongoing support for the rights of all Portlanders to peacefully protest. We officially have a major crisis on our hands relating to nightly violence and ongoing national media attention. Underrepresented populations must continue to be heard and it is time to take meaningful steps forward with reforms that matter.
Please ask Portland City Council to lead the city and put an end to the violence now. Any instigation of violence is unacceptable and must be separated from the importance of ongoing peaceful protests. Stopping this violence is crucial to the future of Portland and how the city is embraced by those who visit here for years to come. |
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