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Mask & Distancing Mandates No Longer Required

6/30/2021

 
Open sign
Effective today, June 30, face covering and distancing rules are eliminated in alignment with the full reopening of our economy. Governor Brown’s announcement last Friday was welcome news to Oregon's businesses ready to open back up at full capacity.

Earlier this week we received confirmation from OR-OSHA Director Michael Wood that mask and distancing mandates will be eliminated (with certain exceptions, including health care, public transit, and airports).

However, not all of Oregon OSHA’s COVID-19 requirements are going away immediately. "For the rule addressing all workplaces, examples of measures that will remain in place longer include optimization of ventilation, notification of a positive case in the workplace, and proper steps to take if an employee must quarantine."

Here's more information to pass along:
  • OSHA's Press Release 6.30.21
  • Rule Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks
  • Appendices to the Rule

ORLA has received several questions from members regarding rule updates. Here are a few FAQs that were confirmed:
  • Is OSHA lifting its requirements for employees to wear masks as well? Yes; If an employee chooses to wear a mask, face shield, or face covering even when it is not required, the employer must allow them to do so.
  • Is the closing time as of June 30 going back to pre-covid times where bars can close at 2:00 am if they choose? Yes.
  • Does this mean plexiglass is no longer required where there was an inability to physically distance? Yes.
  • Are employee health screenings also being eliminated with the rollback of COVID-19 restrictions? Yes, the employee health screening requirements were rescinded.
  • How about requirements for employees to quarantine if they exhibit symptoms, etc.? Since we will not be screening employees anymore, are we simply waiting to see if they voluntarily report symptoms and then still following CDC guidance for quarantining? Yes, employers still need to ensure employees quarantine IF the employer knows about it.
  • Will condiments now be allowed back on bars and table tops? Yes.
  • Will the Oregon Lottery be the lifting of the curfew tonight and keep machines on until 2:00 am? Yes. The Oregon Lottery has already made the system change.

ORLA will continue to work with Oregon OSHA as part of their rules committee to continue addressing the details involved with unraveling the remainder of the COVID-19 directives.

As always, you can reach out to your ORLA Regional Representative for questions.

2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION RECAP

6/30/2021

 
​​The 2021 Oregon Legislative Session was held remotely for the most part because of COVID-19 interruptions. The inability to meet in person coupled with the introduction of almost 4,000 bills this session meant there was a lot that did not get done. Legislative leadership primarily focused on police reform, housing, and social justice.

For the hospitality industry, ORLA gained some victories to help our members and managed to help kill some bad bills that would have negatively impacted operators. Below is a summary of the key legislation from the 2021 session for our sector. 

Legislative Wins

SB 317A – Allows holder of full on-premises sales license to make retail sales of mixed drinks in sealed containers for off-premises consumption.
  • This bill passed the House and Senate, and at the time of this writing was on Governor Brown’s desk, awaiting her signature. The bill makes permanent the ability for bars and restaurants to offer mixed drinks for takeout or delivery if the guest also purchases a substantial food item.
  • ORLA supported this bill and testified numerous times in favor of it.

HB 3361 (Passed) – Requires third-party food platform to enter into agreement with food place before arranging delivery of orders from food place or listing food place on application or website.
  • This bill was at ORLA’s request and was sponsored by Rep. David Gomberg (D-Central Coast), Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland), and Rep. Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). The bill requires third- party food platforms to obtain written consent from restaurants before using their menu, likeness, pricing, etc. ORLA worked with the third-party technology companies on this bill and testified in support at the public hearing on March 24.
  • The bill passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on June 8, 2021.

HB 3178 (Passed) – Temporarily removes condition for being deemed "unemployed" that individual's weekly remuneration for part-time work must be less than individual's weekly unemployment insurance benefit amount.
  • ORLA President & CEO Jason Brandt was invited to testify alongside BOLI Commissioner Val Hoyle on a similar bill passed last year during the second special session of the Legislature to allow for employees to pick up minimal shifts and still keep their unemployment benefits.
  • The bill helps employers keep staff while protecting employees during the pandemic crisis. This bill is a technical fix of the bill passed in 2020. It passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on May 17, 2021, the same date the bill became effective.

HB 3389 – Extends look-back period used to determine Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund solvency level from 10 years to 20 years.
  • Provides that calendar years 2020 and 2021 may not be considered high benefit cost period for purposes of making determinations of solvency level of fund.
  • Provides that employers’ experience ratings used to determine 2020 unemployment insurance tax rates shall be used to determine rates for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
  • Provides deferral of up to one-third of 2021 unemployment insurance taxes for employers whose tax rates increased by 0.5 percentage points or more from 2020 to 2021.
  • Authorizes forgiveness of percentage of deferrable taxes according to tax rate increase brackets.
  • Reduces fund adequacy percentages used to determine employer tax rate schedules.
  • This is one of several bills intended to address the issues with the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax rates and experience ratings.
  • ORLA testified in support with two additional changes to the bill: One, instead of a deferral of up to one-third of 2021 UI taxes for employers whose tax rates increased by 0.5 percentage points or more from 2020 to 2021, it should be up to two-thirds deferral if the tax rate increased by one percentage point or more; Two, use a combination of federal relief funds and the current UI Trust Fund to help pay down the obligations for those industries hardest hit by the UI Tax increase.
  • At the time of this writing, the bill was in a sub-committee of Ways and Means but was expected to pass out of the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor.
 
HB 2205 (Dead) – Establishes procedure for person to bring action in name of state to recover civil penalties for violations of state law.
  • The Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) would have allowed private special interests to file lawsuits in the name of the State of Oregon for statutes established to protect workers through education and enforcement actions by state agencies.
  • ORLA opposed this bill as it would seriously threaten businesses and have a negative impact on both employers and employees. The bill did not pass out of its sub-committee in the House.

HB 2365 (Dead) – Prohibits food vendor from using single-use plastic food service ware when selling, serving or dispensing prepared food to consumer.
  • This bill would have prohibited restaurants and other food service businesses from using single- use plastic utensils, bowls, cups, etc. ORLA opposed this bill. During the pandemic, when the restaurant industry was being shut down and restricted in operations, it was a particularly poor time to introduce such legislation.
  • The bill never received a work session or public hearing.
  • Two related bills, HB 2617, which would have banned the use of polystyrene containers, and SB 14, which would have established a statewide plastic product stewardship program, also died this session. SB 14 would have been particularly expensive for our industry.

HB 2521 (Passed) – Requires transient lodging tax collector to provide invoice, receipt or other similar document that clearly sets forth sum of all transient lodging taxes charged for occupancy of transient lodging.
  • This bill would help establish consistency among lodging operators of all types who collect transient lodging taxes to provide the customer with an invoice, receipt or other document detailing those taxes. Most operators already do this, but this bill establishes it in law and helps ensure transparency and accountability.
  • The bill’s Chief Sponsor was Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland). The bill passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on June 3, 2021. It takes effect on the 91st day after the Legislature’s adjournment.

HB 2579 (Dead) – Increases state transient lodging tax rate and provides for transfer of moneys attributable to increase to county in which taxes were collected.
  • There were several bills this session to increase the transient lodging tax (TLT) and use the increase to fund something other than tourism promotion. HB 2579 would have increased the TLT from 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent and sent the increase back to the county in which it was collected for the county to use exclusively for affordable housing in the county. ORLA opposed this bill which never had a work session or public hearing.
  • HB 2600, another TLT bill that died, would have sent any moneys in excess of 1.475 percent of the statewide TLT to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund. ORLA opposed this bill which had one public hearing.

HB 2593 - Permits Office of Emergency Management to enter into agreement with nonprofit organization representing sheriffs under which organization is authorized to administer program to produce and sell outdoor recreation search and rescue cards.
  • ORLA worked with several other organizations and entities including the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Travel Oregon, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA) and the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) to name a few. The bill creates a program to sell cards to help fund search and rescue programs.
  • The cards do not guarantee rescue but instead, are intended to raise money to offset the increasing costs of search and rescue when people go missing in Oregon’s wilderness areas. The bill has had a public hearing and several work sessions in the House.

HB 2818 – Allows payment from Wage Security Fund to be made to wage claimant for wages earned and unpaid in event that Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries has obtained judgment in action or has issued final order in administrative proceeding for collection of wage claim.
  • The importance of this bill is in the two amendments added. The first allowed for bonuses or PTO to be granted to employees who wanted to get vaccinated. Without the amendment, employers offering any compensation for vaccinations would run afoul of Oregon’s Pay Equity Law. The amendment allowed for compensation during a public health emergency and excluded vaccine incentives from the pay equity issue.
  • The second amendment allowed for hiring and retention bonuses, an important issue for our industry as we recover from the pandemic and look to hire employees or keep the ones already employed.
  • This bill has passed the House and Senate is headed to the Governor’s desk at the time of this writing.

HB 2966A – Extends grace period for repayment of nonresidential rent between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, until September 30, 2021, for certain tenants.
  • ORLA supported this bill to allow for an extended grace period for payment of nonresidential rent. In addition to this bill, ORLA worked on two other bills related to commercial foreclosure: HB 2009, a bill extending the residential foreclosure moratorium which we had hoped to amend to include commercial foreclosures; and HB 3177, a stand-alone bill extending the commercial foreclosure moratorium originally passed in 2021 (HB 4204) during the first Special Session.
  • This bill has passed the House and Senate is headed to the Governor’s desk at the time of this writing.

HB 3058 (Dead) – Increases distance from certain parts of public places and places of employment in which person may not smoke, aerosolize or vaporize from 10 feet to 25 feet.
  • ORLA opposed this bill which never had a work session or public hearing.

HB 3296 (Dead) – Increases privilege taxes imposed upon manufacturer or importing distributor of malt beverages, wine, or cider.
  • This bill would have raised the beer tax from $2.60 to $72.60 and the wine tax from 65 cents to $10 per gallon, increases of 2800 percent and 1700 percent respectively. ORLA opposed this bill which never had a work session or public hearing.

HB 3351 (Dead) – Establishes increase in statewide minimum wage rate beginning on July 1, 2022.
  • This bill would have increased Oregon’s minimum wage to $17 per hour beginning July 1, 2022. ORLA opposed this bill which never received a work session or public hearing.

SB 650 (Dead) – Creates Public Assistance Protection Fund.
  • This bill would have assessed employers with more than 100 employees if median salaries or wages paid to employees residing in Oregon would qualify individual or individual’s dependents to receive public assistance to fund a Public Assistance Protection Fund. The money collected would have gone to programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Health Care for All Oregon Children.
  • Aside from the logistical issues surrounding this bill, there were privacy concerns as well. ORLA opposed the bill which never received a work session or public hearing.

SB 750 (Passed) – Authorizes Oregon Liquor Control Commission to grant temporary letter of authority to eligible applicant for any license issued by commission.
  • This bill would allow new owners of bars and restaurants who wish to serve alcohol to be granted a temporary license until they are approved by the OLCC Board of Commissioners. ORLA supported this bill which passed out of the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on May 21, 2021. The effective date is January 1, 2022.
  • Legislative Losses

HB 3177 (Dead) – Limits types of restrictions that Governor may impose on certain businesses during state of emergency related to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • This bill would prohibit the Governor from imposing restrictions on eating and drinking establishments and indoor physical recreation and fitness facilities except for physical distancing requirements of up to six feet, requiring physical barriers or partitions between individuals and any restrictions generally applicable to all types of businesses.
  • ORLA testified in support of this bill, as did numerous operators, but it failed to move out of committee.

SB 483A (Passed) – Creates rebuttable presumption that person violated prohibition against retaliation or discrimination against employee or prospective employee if person takes certain action against employee or prospective employee within 60 days after employee or prospective employee has engaged in certain protected activities.
  • ORLA opposes this bill which states that if an employee files a complaint with Oregon OSHA, anonymous or not, against an employer, and the employer takes any disciplinary action against that employee in the 60 days following the filing of that complaint, the employer would have to prove it was not retaliation.
  • Despite ORLA’s efforts to, at a minimum, remove the anonymous component, this bill passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

SB 582A - Establishes producer responsibility program for packaging, printing and writing paper and food serviceware.
  • This bill had multiple public hearings and is now in the Ways and Means Committee. ORLA was successful in having single-use serviceware exempted from the bill which includes paper or plastic plates, cups, wraps, bowls, pizza boxes, cutlery, straws, lids, bags, aluminum foil or clamshells.

Other Bills

SB 515 (Passed) – Requires employee of certain licensed premises who is permittee to make report if permittee has reasonable belief that sex trafficking is occurring at premises or that minor is employed or contracted as performer at premises in manner violating Oregon Liquor Control Commission rules.
  • This bill requires reporting of suspected sex trafficking by licensees. A permittee making a report under this section in good faith is immune from any criminal or civil liability for making the report. It also requires licensees to report if a minor is employed or contracted as a performer at the establishment.
  • This bill passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on May 19, 2021 and will take effect on the 91st day following adjournment of the Legislature.

SB 569A (Passed) – Makes unlawful employment practice for employer to require employee or prospective employee to possess or present valid driver license as condition of employment or continuation of employment.
  • This bill prohibits requiring a proof of driver’s license at time of hire with the intent of it being related to the I-9 requirement process. For jobs that require operating a vehicle and needs a valid driver’s license the bill states: “Require, as a condition for employment or continuation of employment, an employee or prospective employee to possess or present a valid driver license unless the ability to legally drive is an essential function of the job or is related to a legitimate business purpose.” Meaning, if the job requires driving, such as delivery driver or parking cars, you can ask for a valid driver’s license.
  • This bill has passed the House and Senate is headed to the Governor’s desk at the time of this writing.

For more information on ORLA's policy positions and priorities, reach out to Greg Astley, Director of Government Affairs.

Oregon Hospitality Freed from Restrictions No Later Than June 30

6/25/2021

 
There is no light switch. It will take years to build back what was lost.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2021

Contact: 
Jason Brandt, President & CEO, ORLA     
503.302.5060 | [email protected]

Wilsonville, OR– Today’s announcement from Governor Kate Brown announcing a full reopening of Oregon’s economy no later than Wednesday, June 30 is welcome news. Our state’s restaurant and lodging establishments have a long road ahead as small businesses continue the hard work of regaining their footing after 15 months and 13 days of historic and over-reaching government regulation. Permanent closures, workforce access issues, partial re-openings, and ever-changing administrative rules and emergency orders have left a permanent mark on the approach to doing business in Oregon.
​
“We never could have imagined the gravity and depth to which government regulations would dictate how we live in a free society when industry shutdowns and capacity restrictions first went into effect on Tuesday, March 17 of 2020,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Here we are 15 months later picking up the pieces and doing whatever we can to help Oregon’s extraordinary hospitality industry find its identity once again and it will take time. From a workforce access crisis and supply chain constraints to debt accumulation and back rents and mortgages coming due, historic industry challenges remain and will persist in the years ahead.”

To date, Oregon has permanently lost over 1,400 foodservice locations statewide and some lodging establishments remain closed. Both restaurant and lodging operators continue to face wide ranging marketplace dynamics resulting in different realities in different regions of the state. As a rule of thumb, the more reliant a region is on business travel, the harder the economic hit.

“The Portland Metro region in particular will need ongoing support to bring back the top tier hospitality experiences our overnight guests have come to expect in our state’s largest city,” said Brandt. “Our hats are off to our partners at Travel Portland, the Portland Business Alliance, and officials at the City of Portland who are inspiring Portlanders to usher in a new transformative chapter with their ‘Here for Portland’ campaign. Ongoing cleanups, increased office worker mobility, and cultural activities can and will make a big difference. As Mayor Wheeler has said, do not bet against Portland or its people.”

One challenge remains clear statewide – no matter the region, the workforce access crisis is deep and relentless. Restaurants and lodging establishments in all regions of the state are currently forced to reduce operating hours, minimize menu options and cordon off available rooms respectively.

“To put it plainly, there are too many Oregonians on the sidelines,” said Brandt. “And this reality has opened up a new frontline of advocacy activity for ORLA – we must be at the table in assisting our state in addressing the child care deserts that exist in all 36 counties in Oregon, we must address the extension of unemployment benefits to those who are not making a concerted effort to find their next job, and we must protect the rights of our frontline workers who choose to wear a face covering at work and respect that choice and embrace it.”

For more information on the efforts of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association please visit OregonRLA.org.

​###

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which before COVID-19 provided over 180,000 paychecks to working Oregonians. The latest available data for May of 2021 from the Oregon Employment Department shows current employment levels in the accommodations and foodservice industry totaling 153,200 people.

Celebrating Hospitality’s Oregon Kind of Energy

6/22/2021

 
Restaurant image
Guest Blog | Portland General Electric

This past year has rocked all of us, but it’s been particularly rough for small business customers. From a world-wide pandemic, a summer of social unrest, wildfires that hit too close to home, and a historical ice storm, small businesses, and especially restaurants, have endured more than their fair share of challenges.

I watched as businesses were forced to change and adapt at a moment’s notice. Many were forced to lay off their staff and face an uncertain future. But even while overcoming these challenges, I was inspired by the creativity and resiliency so many demonstrated – businesses continued to serve their communities and show compassion for their neighbors with an Oregon kind of energy that’s resilient, innovative, and rooted in care for the communities they are in. It’s the kind of energy we celebrate at PGE.

Hospitality, that friendly welcoming nature that we’re so proud of, is the heart of Oregon. We love where we’re from and we all are excited to share our favorite local eats and hot spots. I’ve been touched by the stories of restaurants caring for those most in need and the way that communities have stepped up to support their favorite local joints.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and visit with four local restaurants throughout the region. During our conversations, I was inspired by the stories these restaurants shared. Despite the numerous challenges, they have come to work every day and continue to be agents for positive change in their communities.

To show appreciation for these restaurants and yours, we’re hosting a restaurant week on PGE’s Instagram the week of July 5. We’ll be sharing the stories of these restaurants and asking our followers to share their favorite local restaurants. Want to get in on this social boost? Share your favorite local restaurant (yours included!) on your Instagram story and tag @PortlandGeneral with the hashtag #RestaurantWeek.

Thank you, ORLA, for being a great resource and unifying force for Oregon’s hospitality industry. As we continue to invest in the future of Oregon, we’re proud to make a $5,000 donation to the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. Keep up the great work!

For more information on resources available for your restaurant, please visit us at portlandgeneral.com/smallbiz. | Warren Parker III, PGE Senior Marketing Strategist SMB



This guest blog was submitted by Portland General Electric. For more information about ORLA and guest blog opportunities, contact Marla McColly, Business Development Director, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.

​Vaccines in the Workplace

6/22/2021

 
Update:
The National Restaurant Association hosted a webinar June 17 to discuss recent developments relating to U.S. DOL/OSHA’s Updated Guidance and the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), revised CDC Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals, the EEOC’s recent update of its Guidance for Vaccination and Compliance with the ADA and GINA, and what state and local “Vaccine Passports” mean for restaurants. 
  • View webinar recording
  • Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
  • OSHA Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

Vaccine Picture
[Originally posted March 21, 2021] - ​In response to a number of inquiries on this subject, ORLA has compiled various sources of information on the topic. Please note, the following information is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. 

The Rundown:
The vast majority of content reviewed on this subject urged caution. A number of exceptions exist within mandatory programs, including medical conditions, religious grounds and potential union bargaining (if applicable). Mandatory vaccination programs are subject to state and/or federal oversight (BOLI, OSHA, NLRB, EEOC) and can trigger program review and legal pitfalls, such as violating the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and a host of potential medical, personnel and personal Data Privacy violations.

Even if successful in navigating the external patchwork of state and federal agencies, an operator that chooses to adopt a mandatory vaccination program must then overcome internal operational issues, such as what steps must be taken when an employee chooses not to be vaccinated, how to then protect the rest of the workforce, reconfiguration of office space, schedule changes and the like.
 
The Bottomline:
While mandatory vaccinations are allowed, a mandatory vaccination program is not advisable. The downside seems too great of risk for operators large and small.
 
Employers are encouraged however to promote employee self-education for vaccination acceptance, support voluntary vaccinations, follow the guidelines of local, city and state health authorities, provide their workforce the flexibility for designated group vaccination schedules and work with local Chambers and trade associations.

Here is a list of resources providing information on vaccines in the workplace:

  • Oregon Health Authority Employer Toolkit - information about vaccines, eligibility
  • Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry - current FAQ’s for employers regarding vaccinations
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - guidance and FAQ’s for employers to consider, including ADA-covered persons, exemptions and reasonable accommodations
  • State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF) current FAQ’s for employers regarding vaccinations
  • National Restaurant Association “Taking a Shot at COVID-19” - on-demand webinar recording; (download presentation deck)
  • National Restaurant Association / Restaurant Law Center - association and federal agency guidelines on mandating vaccines
  • American Hotel & Lodging Association Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Information - resources for educating and encouraging employees to get vaccinated
  • Asian American Hotel Owners Association launches new “Pledge to Protect Our Guests, Employees and Businesses” - new initiative that encourages hoteliers to proactively promote COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees
  • Oregon Business and Industry “COVID-19 Vaccine in the Workplace: What Employers Should Know” - key considerations for employers as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available to Oregonians
  • HR Annie “Vaccinations in the Workplace Considerations & Best Practices for Employers” - COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace; considerations and best practices for employers; (download presentation deck)

For questions, please reach out to your Regional Representative.


Article Submission Guidelines

6/1/2021

 
​We welcome industry members' article submissions relevant to the restaurant and lodging industry in Oregon. Association members are primarily considered and encouraged to share expertise and perspective following the guidelines below for submitting an article. Please note, we do not publish press releases.

The criteria outlined below in no way guarantees your submission will be published at all, or that a submission will appear in any particular issue. The submission should satisfy the criteria, but is entirely subject to editing for length and content.
​
  • The submission should cover an issue, product or service of relevance to the Oregon restaurant and lodging industry, disseminating information for the betterment of the industry.
  • The article should be written in an objective fashion (not self-serving). Submissions which excessively quote or include biographical or gratuitous company information, or which draw specific attention to the company submitting the article rather than the issue at hand, are subject to removal or rewording of such content. Print advertising is available for promotional efforts.
  • The submission length of 500-1000 is preferred. Content should be submitted in Word format (not pdf). Artwork and/or photos are also recommended as they enhance readership. Appropriate photo releases may be required if the photo(s) include individuals or copyrighted material or trademarked products. Images must be print resolution and saved at 300 DPI in either jpg, eps or tif format. Do not embed images in submitted document.
  • To be considered for placement in the magazine, it is recommended articles fit monthly editorial theme; check media kit for topics. All articles must be written in magazine article format; press release-styled submissions will not be published.
  • Articles must include a header and subhead and be reasonable in length. The article may be bylined, and a short bio may be supplied with the submission. Contact information (website and/or email only) is allowable.
  • Articles should be easy reads. While an article's subject matter may be complex, the writing style and presentation of information and/or ideas should be clear and deliberate.
  • Articles should embrace a standard of excellence. The overall aim should be to present information utilizing very professional literary and grammatical standards. All articles are reviewed, proof read and wherever necessary edited to meet ORLA standards.
  • As much as possible, the author should have a demonstrated knowledge of subject matter.
  • Increase your chance for being published by becoming an ORLA member today!

To submit an article for consideration in any of ORLA's communication vehicles please email Editor, Lori Little, at [email protected].

Guest Blog Submission Guidelines 
  • The criteria outlined below in no way guarantees your submission will be published as submitted. The submission should satisfy the criteria and is subject to editing for length and content. 
  • Content should provide valuable information on a topic or issue relevant to Oregon’s hospitality industry; sharing personal insight and knowledge is good and encouraged. 
  • The article should be written in an objective fashion (not self-serving). Submissions which excessively quote or include biographical or gratuitous company information, or which draw specific attention to the company submitting the article rather than the topic at hand, may not be considered.  
  • Artwork and/or photos are also recommended as they enhance readership. Appropriate photo releases may be required if the photo(s) include individuals or copyrighted material or trademarked products. Do not embed images in submitted document. 
  • Blog is limited to 800 words and must include a header and be reasonable in length. Content should be submitted in Word format (not pdf). The article may be bylined, and a short bio may be supplied with the submission (see above). 
  • Blog post should be an easy read. While an article's subject matter may be complex, the writing style and presentation of information and/or ideas should be clear and deliberate. 
  • Blog post should embrace a standard of excellence using professional literary and grammatical standards.  
  • As much as possible, the author should have a demonstrated knowledge of subject matter. 
  • ORLA may limit the number of guest blog posts to no more than three per month. There may be opportunity for content to be repurposed in other ORLA communication channels.  

To submit a guest blog post, contact ORLA’s Director of Business Development Marla McColly at 503.428.8694. Guest blog posts are considered sponsored opportunities.

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