In an effort to connect with a greater number of members (and follow social distancing guidelines), ORLA is transitioning our regional meetings into Virtual Town Halls.

ORLA members are invited to join ORLA's regional representatives and government affairs staff for a conversation on COVID-19 and the impacts on hospitality businesses. In addition to covering the agenda below, we want to hear from members. Please RSVP to your town hall by emailing your regional representative and include any additional questions you would like ORLA to address.
 
Meeting Agenda to Include:

• COVID-19 information you need to know
• Support you need from SAIF
• What your industry peers in your region are asking about
• Actions you can take now
• Your questions answered – live Q&A chat

Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meetings:

Thursday, April 2 | 9:30-10:30am
Marion, Polk Counties
RSVP to Greg Staneruck

Thursday, April 2 | 1:30-2:30pm
Josephine, Jackson Counties
RSVP to Terry Hopkins

Friday, April 3 | 11:00am-12:00pm
Eastern Oregon (Hermiston, Pendleton, etc.)
RSVP to Steve Scardina

Friday, April 3 | 1:30-2:30pm
Clatsop, Tillamook Counties
RSVP to Greg Staneruck

Tuesday, April 7 | 11:00am-12:00pm
Lane, Lincoln Counties
RSVP to Terry Hopkins (Lane) or Greg Staneruck (Lincoln)

Wednesday, April 8 | 9:30-10:30am
Central Oregon
RSVP to Terry Hopkins

Thursday, April 9 | 11:00am-12:00pm
Portland
RSVP to Steve Scardina

[April 1, 2020]
 
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced a 90-day moratorium on commercial evictions across Oregon. Executive Order 20-13 represents decisive action by Governor Brown to protect Oregon hospitality businesses and assist them in planning out a path to recovery. Our goal in working with all partners is to do whatever we can to assist our state in winning the race to recovery while keeping as many Oregonians employed as possible.
 
Governor Brown’s executive order states “a temporary moratorium on terminations of residential and non­residential rental agreements and evictions on the basis of nonpayment is necessary during this emergency, to protect the public health, safety and welfare of all Oregonians. The moratorium set forth in this Executive Order is temporary, with a limited scope and duration. It addresses the immediate needs identified above, pursuant to my emergency powers, but does not otherwise undermine contractual bargains, interfere with parties' reasonable expectations, or prevent parties from safeguarding or reinstating their rights. The directives of this Executive Order are appropriate, necessary, and reasonable means by which to implement the significant and legitimate public purpose of responding to the declaration of a state of emergency I issued on March 8, 2020.”
 
ORLA continues to advocate for ongoing relief in partnership with federal, state, and local elected leaders. To view ORLA’s relief framework and add your business to the list of supporters click here: Sign On to ORLA's Proposed Relief Efforts.

[March 30, 2020]

In this morning's video address to the industry, I cover the following updates:

• How lodging accommodations that remain open are providing a service to essential workers;
• ORLA's proposed relief efforts for the upcoming special session;
• Virtual Town Halls to accommodate important conversations with members around the state.
  ​

Watch Video Now
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In case you missed it, ORLA created a Hospitality Action & Relief Center to help connect small businesses and their employees with ongoing statewide advocacy priorities and relief outcomes. Be sure to see the list of Relief Available for Employers & Employees we are constantly updating, as well as ORLA's Proposed Relief Efforts.

With the passage of the CARES Act, signed into law March 27, new relief opportunities are now available including: Paycheck Protection Program, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Qualified Improvement Property fix, and SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants. Read more on our Federal Action Taken page.

[March 26, 2020]

The following update is being provided to the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association as a result of ongoing national partnerships taking place between the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. A special thanks to Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association for the following summary on our nation’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”):

Last night, congressional leaders finally released the final text of their $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package. The agreement includes a dramatic expansion of unemployment insurance, a rescue fund for state and local governments, immediate cash for hospitals, and a huge pool of grants and loans for small businesses.

Passage in both chambers is all but assured – the only question is one of timing. The Senate is on a path to pass the bill this evening. Timing of a House bill remains murky. A vote Thursday night or Friday morning is likely. President Trump is likely to sign the bill very soon thereafter.

Our formal assessment of the bill is attached. Overall the bill is very strong, with many provisions that specifically reflect our Association’s asks from last week. Here are the highlights of the deal:

SBA Loans
The measure creates a $349 billion program for the SBA to offer unique loans to small businesses (500 or fewer employees). The loan amount is based on 250% of the borrower’s average monthly payroll cost for the preceding year (provisions for seasonal employers are included), up to $10 million. Collateral requirements are waived, and the “credit elsewhere” requirements (which have slowed down the process) have been waived as well. The loan is forgiven if used for payroll costs, mortgage interest, or rent/utilities. 

• An exception was made to the small business requirement for restaurants and hotels. The 500-employee number is based on the number of employees at each physical location. So a restaurant with 600 employees over five restaurant properties would qualify for these loans. This ensures that a number of larger independent restaurants and franchise owners can participate. 

Tax Benefits
The agreement offers restaurant owners relief in the form of Net Operating Loss (NOL) carrybacks, delay of payment of employer payroll taxes, and an Employee Retention Tax Credit.

Qualified Improvement Property
At long last, restaurants can immediately write off costs associated with improving facilities. The QIP fix is complete.

Next Steps

• Webinars from the Association for our membership outlining how to approach these benefits. We will offer briefings from our policy team, updates from our outside counsel, and specific sessions with representatives of key agencies like the SBA.
• A new web portal for online access to briefings, updates, and links to key agencies.
• This legislation will require regulatory action from the Administration. We are working to minimize disruption for our members and get recovery assistance out as quickly as possible.
• Congress is likely to draft subsequent recovery bills. We are working on what industry-specific provisions should be included.

[March 25, 2020] - To Friends of Oregon Hospitality,

The following update was provided by our friends at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the National Restaurant Association. Democratic Leader Schumer released a letter to his colleagues identifying what was secured in the bill. A summary of Democratic Leader Schumer’s list is below and ORLA will be working closely with our national partners today and tomorrow as the federal package moves through crucial votes and gets finalized.

• 4 months of extended unemployment insurance, instead of 3 months
• $55 billion increase in the Marshall Plan for our Health Care System
• $150 billion for a state, tribal, and local Coronavirus Relief Fund
• $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs
• $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans
• $30 billion in emergency education funding and $25 billion in emergency transit funding
• $30 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private nonprofits providing critical and essential services
• More than $10 billion for the Indian Health Services and other tribal programs
• Make rent, mortgage, and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness
• Ban stock buybacks for the term of the government assistance plus 1 year on any company receiving a government loan from the bill. 
• Establish robust worker protections attached to all federal loans for businesses
• Create real-time public reporting of Treasury transactions under the Act, including terms of loans, investments or other assistance to corporations
• Create of Treasury Department Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery to provide oversight of Treasury loans and a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to protect taxpayer dollars
• Add a retention tax credit for employers to encourage businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis
• Provide income tax exclusion for individuals who are receiving student loan repayment assistance from their employer
• Save hundreds of thousands of airline industry jobs and prohibit airlines from stock buybacks and CEO bonuses

 
Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

[March 23, 2020] - Hello Friends of Oregon Hospitality:

Today, Governor Kate Brown executed Executive Order 20-12 which requires non-essential businesses outlined in the order to close effective 12:01 am on Tuesday, March 24. Here are comments from ORLA regarding the new executive order and what it means for Oregon’s restaurant and lodging operations:

• Many additional businesses have been added to the list of operations being forced to close by order of the Governor. We have heard loud and clear from restaurant operators around the state regarding last week’s executive action being inequitable for dining room operators given the lack of adherence to social distancing guidelines by others throughout the past week. Today’s executive order expands upon the types of businesses viewed by the Governor who will be unable to enforce social distancing protocols to prevent spread of COVID-19.
• Lodging operations remain open with the exception of public and private campgrounds. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV Parks providing shelter for emergency responders, health care specialists, and other workers not banned by today’s Executive Order may remain open in service to these guests. Social distancing protocols must be enacted for all lodging establishments who are choosing to stay open. Failure to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order could result in immediate closure by government officials.
• Local authorities along Oregon’s coast took action over the weekend to prevent lodging establishments from staying open. The Governor’s Executive Order today “occupies the field” regarding business closures in light of its completeness, its designation of authority for additional closures in paragraph 5, and its third to last paragraph. The third to last paragraph explicitly preempts local laws that are “inconsistent with this exercise of the Governor’s emergency powers.” Lodging establishments across Oregon are not on the list of required closures and therefore must adhere to strict social distancing protocols and keep both employees and guests safe as we provide shelter to those working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. ORLA will work with local authorities along the coast to achieve more clarity on the actions they have taken over the weekend and their view of the Governor’s Executive Order.
• For all in hospitality, now is the time to showcase our commitment to social distancing if you are an operator choosing to stay open. Most have adopted strict social distancing procedures to keep your employees and your guests safe and we highly recommend strict adherence in all instances to the goals established through social distancing. When interacting with guests and employees, all human interaction should “maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any person who is not a member of [your] immediate household.”
• ORLA’s work in pursuit of hospitality relief continues in partnership with industry stakeholders at the local, regional, state, and federal levels of government. Our framework for ongoing relief activity includes:
  • Pursuit of an immediate infusion of cash through a federal relief program as well as through a Hospitality Recovery Grant program in the State of Oregon.
  • Streamline Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance system in partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and Oregon Legislators to get hospitality workers and small business owners the help they need now.
  • Ensure all decisions relating to COVID-19 mitigation and containment are made at a statewide level. Consistency in rulemaking and enforcement across the State of Oregon throughout the duration of the declared emergency and beyond is critical.

Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

[March 20, 2020] - ORLA continues to take unprecedented steps to engage in every possible way on COVID-19 in support of Oregon Hospitality. In the last 36 hours, significant updates have been added online to ORLA’s website which has been redesigned to hone in on the needs of industry members looking for answers in an ever changing environment.
 
The following steps have been taken in the past 36 hours:

• ORLA’s Frequently Asked Questions sheet is live on the main page of the website. You can view that fluid document here.
• ORLA has launched a Hospitality Action Center to assist with compiled relief proposals desired by industry members. This includes a comprehensive list of relief considerations at the state level for both restaurants and lodging properties as well as separate list at the federal level for lodging members and restaurant members.
  • Restaurants & Lodging: Take Action at the State Level
  • Restaurants: Take Action at the Federal Level
  • Lodging Operators: Take Action at the Federal Level
• ORLA’s presentation in front of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response has been updated and posted online. You can view the presentation by clicking here.
• We currently have 475 advocates signed up through our Phone2Action system. Already, 336 have opted in for texts. Text ‘ORLA’ to 52886 if you are not currently on the system. 
• Allied Video Productions in Salem, Oregon has made available their studio for ORLA video updates as needed. A huge thanks to our friends at the studio for opening up their place of business to our urgent industry needs. The first video dated March 20 is posted online.
• Media coverage and engagement is non-stop. I will be live on Think Out Loud on OPB with Dave Miller this Monday between Noon and 1pm. For ORLA’s recent press release, click here.
• Developments on advocacy priorities take place almost daily in the current environment. To keep up to date, visit the ‘Happenings’ section through this link.

 
Sincerely,
 
Jason Brandt
President & CEO

[March 18, 2020] - ORLA CEO UPDATE FOR OREGON'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

The ORLA team is working at a feverish pitch to provide the resources and opportunities restaurant and lodging businesses need to stay engaged and make a difference as we weather this monumental storm together. We have a laser-like focus on all things COVID-19 in service to you, our hospitality industry partners. Please see below for high level updates from our recent activities over the past day as we continue moving through an unprecedented workload:
 

• ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley and myself will present to the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response today. Our comprehensive presentation on COVID-19 industry impact and relief needs for employers in Oregon’s restaurant and lodging operations will be made available online immediately following the committee meeting. Look for the full presentation to be posted by 2pm. Many of you fueled this presentation with your ideas and suggestions – thank you for those contributions.
  
  
• The Governor’s Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council met for the first time on March 17. Myself along with other business representatives and state and labor representatives will continue to meet for as long as it takes to free up cash and relief for your operations so you can come back strong after the crisis subsides. The Economic Advisory Council represents ORLA’s direct connection to Governor Kate Brown. There will be many opportunities for us to advocate for the broad needs of our industry as we grapple with the fallout of business closures and lost business in the coming months.
  
  
• ORLA is in regular contact with local governments and urging their coordination and partnership when considering policies that impact lodging establishments around the state.
  
  
• ORLA is publishing a Frequently Asked Questions digital resource that we will update on a fluid basis online. This resource represents our best attempt to consolidate questions in one place from hundreds if not thousands of calls, emails, and texts our professional staff of 17 have been fielding over the past several days. Look for the FAQ document to go live today.
  
  
• Our industry has proven over the years to be resilient and I truly believe that the round-the-clock actions we are taking during this trying time will best position all of your teams for the future.
  
  
• And lastly, I’m asking every interested hotel and restaurant operator to sign up for crucial text message alerts and calls to action. You can make a difference by staying plugged in through your mobile devices. There are constant opportunities for your voice to be heard at the local, state, and federal levels and we’ll need your support on multiple fronts. Text “ORLA” to 52886 – now is the time to show the breadth and power of an industry that has been providing paychecks to over 180,000 employees in Oregon for years.

 
Please stay strong and utilize the skill sets available to you on the ORLA professional staff. Our Government Affairs Team and our Regional Representatives on the ground are here to serve each of you, every day, until we get through this together.
 
Sincerely,
​
Jason Brandt
President & CEO

​[March 16, 2020] - STATEMENT BY ORLA PRESIDENT & CEO JASON BRANDT

Restaurants across Oregon serve as cornerstones of our local economies employing more than 155,000 people. From urban centers to rural towns, thousands of establishments provide us with places to break bread with family, friends, and build community. 

Most of us know the experience of a favorite local restaurant, filled with familiar faces and employees who know us by name. Right now, that restaurant is hurting -- and the workers and families who depend on our patronage are wondering how they will put food on the table. 

Effective midnight tonight (at 12:01 a.m., March 17, 2020), Governor Brown has ordered all dining rooms across Oregon to close over a 4 week period. This decision will have immediate and immeasurable impacts on thousands of Oregon families who depend on Oregon’s restaurant industry for a paycheck. Immediate unemployment insurance relief is crucial with a removal of the one-week waiting period and removal of the search for work requirement. Additional relief needs will also prove crucial for Oregon’s broader hospitality industry and all impacted employees.

The social distancing required to slow the spread of COVID-19 means we need to temporarily change our lives, especially around our favorite gathering spaces as recently announced by Oregon Governor Kate Brown and many health experts from around the world. Oregonians must not forget about the families and workers whose lives depend on restaurants, bars, wineries and brewpubs during this time. They need our support, and that is why our industry is mobilizing to expand take-out and delivery options to serve our customers over the coming weeks. If we can't eat out, now is the time for Oregonians to order in. 

We must stay resolved and committed to the important role of hospitality to our economy, culture and everyday lives. Once these social isolation measures lift, Oregonians all share a collective responsibility to do our part to quickly return to our favorite gathering spots and put paychecks back onto the kitchen tables of hundreds of thousands of Oregon families who may not get one over the coming months.

[March 12, 2020] - ORLA CEO UPDATE FOR OREGON'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
​
The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) exists to protect, improve, and promote Oregon hospitality. We find ourselves in an incredibly challenging situation as our industry works to mitigate panic around the growing concern of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Oregon and throughout the country.

As of last night, Governor Kate Brown has declared a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more in Oregon over the course of the next 4 weeks. This will undoubtedly have an immeasurable impact on industry employees and business operations. ORLA will continue to keep lines of communication open with the Governor’s office, the Oregon Health Authority, and other key leaders in our state as we work to gather data on the economic impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat is having and as we seek relief for impacted hospitality employees and businesses.

The following list summarizes work being conducted at ORLA on your behalf. Please save this email for reference and share as needed.

Coronavirus Resources
All hospitality businesses in Oregon have access to ORLA’s coronavirus resource page at OregonRLA.org/covid19. The following site represents our digital headquarters for all resource links, employer tips, safety guidelines, and decontamination services. This site will be updated regularly as we continue responding to industry needs in partnership with the National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. 

ORLA’s Online Member Portal
Additional work is being put into document development for ORLA members beyond the resource page linked above. A member login and password for this section is required. Primary documents behind ORLA’s member wall in the Resource Library include template examples members can use as a starting point for how to communicate with both employees and customers. If you need access to your ORLA User Name and Password, please reach out directly to Jennifer Starr via email at jstarr@oregonrla.org.

Advocacy on behalf of Oregon Hospitality
Your statewide association is working to make sure key elected officials understand the economic impact of decisions being made as they work in partnership with public health officials to manage the spread of the coronavirus. A term called ‘flattening the curve’ is the ultimate goal of elected leaders and public health officials. The term represents an effort to keep demand for coronavirus health care services at or below the capacity of our state’s health care system. The short term effect will directly correlate to economic loss and as such, we need to collect data now to best represent relief needs of the industry in association with our national partners. Please stay tuned as ORLA develops ongoing survey outreach in an effort to track the magnitude of the impact so we can best represent the needs of your business and your employees.

In addition, we are asking the Governor’s office for consideration against any travel bans in Oregon as well as relief for Oregon hospitality employers and employees. Focus areas for us to date include:

• Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending – we are hearing loud and clear that gap loans and relief are of critical importance to Oregon’s independent restaurants and broader industry.
• Authorizing an exemption to Oregon’s Predictive Scheduling law for Oregon hospitality businesses given the inability to predict anything. There is some openness to this across both sides of the aisle and in the Governor’s Office with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) also involved.
• Accessing Work Share Oregon for hospitality employees. From their website: When times are tough, Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employees whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors.

Stay Up To Date with Push Notifications
The situation relating to coronavirus is changing on a daily basis. As a result, we are repurposing our mobile push notifications in the short term for coronavirus updates including actions you can take to assist us at ORLA in representing your interests. Text “ORLA” to 52886 to get signed up as we work to gather economic data on industry impact and keep you apprised of the latest developments. Confidentiality relating to any data shared will be a top priority for us.

I’ll close by saying it continues to be an honor for those of us on ORLA’s professional staff to serve Oregon hospitality. We believe in the importance of integrity and transparency in all that we do and you have our commitment to continue walking alongside each of you as we collectively navigate our current challenges and those that we will face together in the future.

​Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO

March 18, 2020
Contact: Glenda Hamstreet, Executive Coordinator
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association
503-705-0779; ghamstreet@oregonrla.org

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association responds to COVID-19 impacts on restaurant and lodging industries

Wilsonville, OR. – In light of increasing concerns around the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and recent executive orders from the Governor’s office, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is making every effort to address challenges facing the restaurant and lodging industry. 

The lodging and foodservice industry is the second largest private-sector industry in Oregon behind healthcare and is one of the hardest hit by coronavirus-related shutdowns and policies. ORLA represents approximately 2,600 members, including over 10,220 foodservice locations and more than 2,000 lodging establishments in Oregon. 

“The social distancing mandates put into place by the Governor are an important step toward ensuring the health and safety of all Oregonians,” ORLA President and CEO Jason Brandt said. “However, we cannot forget about the many families and workers whose lives depend on restaurants, lodging operations, bars, wineries and brewpubs. The foodservice and lodging industries are already seeing unprecedented numbers of layoffs as restaurants temporarily close their doors and hotels see significant declines in occupancy.”

ORLA is encouraging Oregonians to support local restaurants and hotels by ordering takeout or delivery or by purchasing gift certificates. 

“Now is the time for our state to support local restaurants and hotels. If we can’t eat out, now is the time to eat in,” said Brandt. “Our industry is resilient and will get through these trying times, but we will need the help of our customers and state and local officials to do so. When purchasing gift certificates for hotels and restaurants, make sure the cash from your purchase is being received immediately by the business so they can save as many jobs as possible.”

For many restaurants, the only viable option following the Governor’s executive order was to temporarily close and lay off staff. ORLA is making every effort at this time to ensure workers and restaurant owners have the relief they need to protect jobs and ensure they are able to re-open their doors once the COVID-19 restrictions have passed. 

“Our entire team at ORLA is working around the clock with state and local officials to facilitate job protection and business continuity. We have open lines of communication with the Governor’s office, the City of Portland and other public officials to work toward solutions that will mitigate the economic impacts the industry is facing at this time,” said Brandt.

In the past two days, Brandt has participated as an active member of the Governor’s Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council and presented comprehensive testimony alongside Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley to the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response.

Media can obtain a copy of the comprehensive report here: COVID-19 Economic Impact on Oregon Hospitality Industry
(updated 3.19.20).
​
Over the last month, hotels have seen steep declines in occupancy as events are cancelled and guests are cancelling travel plans. Travel in the Portland area is reported to be down 50% already in March and one hotel in Bend reported a loss of $600,000 in one week this month. 

“If lock downs and shelter in place are put in effect, it is important the Governor, City Officials and the Legislature look at hotels as ‘Essential Services’ for planning purposes,” said Brandt. “People who are traveling or stranded will need accommodations.”

Nationally, COVID-19 is expected to result in a loss of 2.8-3.4 million jobs in the hotel industry and a decline to 25% occupancy nationwide. By comparison, the recession of 2001 and 9/11 saw 400,000 jobs lost and a decline to 59% occupancy, while the recession of ’07-’09 saw 470,000 jobs lost and 54% occupancy.

“Everyone in the hospitality industry is struggling right now. Many hotels and restaurants are having to lay off employees due to a loss of business. It is vital that federal, state and local authorities make every effort to protect those who depend on the industry for their livelihood. The need for a collective sense of urgency in driving relief solutions for small businesses and employees cannot be overstated,” said Brandt.

ORLA will continue to provide comprehensive updates and resources for the restaurant and lodging industries on their website through the duration of the pandemic: https://www.oregonrla.org/covid19_info.html.

WASHINGTON, DC – March 4, 2020 – Elephants Delicatessen received the Restaurant Neighbor Award for committing to community service and sustainability in the restaurant industry. 
 
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) honored Elephants Delicatessen during a special VIP dinner in Washington, D.C., where Elephants Delicatessen shared their story of giving back to the community and being a good neighbor to the planet.

“We’re proud of the incredible stories we can tell each year through our Restaurant Industry Awards – stories of those reflect the inclusiveness and generosity of the hospitality industry,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. “The Foundation is thrilled and honored to recognize the people and the businesses that demonstrate why the restaurant industry is full of limitless opportunity.”

The NRAEF’s Restaurant Neighbor Award (RNA), developed in partnership with American Express, highlights outstanding local and national charitable service and philanthropy. RNA winners receive a $10,000 contribution in their name to support the charitable organization or program of their choice.

Elephants Delicatessen is an eight-unit restaurant chain dedicated to sustainability, managing food waste and supporting local nonprofits with daily donations and volunteering. The company donates approximately 95 percent of their leftover fresh food items. Elephants Deli became a Certified B Corporation in 2015, a designation for businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. (watch video)

Each winner was selected from a pool of hundreds of nominations. Their incredible stories of overcoming personal challenges, achieving their dreams and giving back to the community were shared with industry icons and the broader restaurant and foodservice industry.

For the full list of winners, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

###

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. 

Nine Schools Competed in Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Education Foundation’s Statewide Competition Showcasing the Hospitality Industry’s Future Chefs
 
[March 2, 2020 - Salem, Oregon] – The challenge for the student chef teams was to prepare a three-course gourmet meal with only two butane burners in under an hour. Willamette High School pulled this off with excellence, winning top honors in the culinary competition at the ORLAEF ProStart Invitational, sponsored by Sysco. McMinnville High School took first in the management competition and also swept the category awards. The event was hosted by the Education Foundation of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLAEF) on March 2, 2020 in Salem, Oregon.
  
“It is with great pleasure Sysco Portland is once again proud to be the leading sponsor of the ProStart program. These young culinarians from our state are building skills that are foundational to their careers in the hospitality industry,” said Bobbie McDonald, Sysco Portland, title sponsor.
 
ProStart, one of the nation’s largest industry-supported career and technical education (CTE) programs, teaches high school students culinary and management skills needed by restaurant, hospitality and foodservice employers. Focused on culinary techniques and restaurant management skills, this competency-based curriculum also includes real-life restaurant experiences. The ORLAEF ProStart Invitational is the capstone of this two-year program, providing a public opportunity for students to showcase what they have learned.
 
Final results for the culinary competition:

• First Place: Willamette High School
• Second Place: North Eugene High School
• Third Place: Seaside High School
• Fourth Place: Crook County High School
• Fifth Place: CTEC 

 
Final results for the management competition:

• First Place: McMinnville High School
• Second Place: South Salem High School
• Third Place: CTEC 

 
Culinary Category Awards:

• People’s Choice Award – North Salem High School
• Teamwork – McMinnville High School
• Professional Menu Presentation – Willamette High School
• Sanitation – North Eugene High School

 
Management Category Awards:

• Concept – McMinnville High School
• Professional Presentation – McMinnville High School

 
ORLAEF ProStart Invitational Awards:

• Teacher of the Year – Macy Hagensee, Crook County H.S.
• Mentor of the Year – Chef Michael Thieme
• Alumni of the Year – Cole Barnhardt

 
“The atmosphere at this event was electric,” said Wendy Popkin, executive director of ORLAEF. “The ProStart program does a remarkable job preparing high school students with fundamental skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and professionalism needed to enter the workforce.” 
 
Willamette High School’s winning menu included Cheese and Herb Agnolotti, Seared Halibut Blackberry Beurre Rouge, and Creme Caramel en Cage.
 
The teams from Willamette High School and McMinnville High School will head to the 2020 National ProStart Invitational® May 8-10, 2020, in Washington, D.C. These Oregon champions also receive a share of over $570,000 scholarships and prizes from local and national culinary schools to help further their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. 
 
Currently 33 Oregon schools, with more than 3,869 students, participate in the ProStart training program. Internationally, ProStart includes 150,000 students in 1,900 schools and technical centers across the United States, and in Guam and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific.
 
Visit OregonRLA.org/championships more information and photos from the ORLAEF ProStart Invitational.

[THIS PAGE HAS MOVED: COVID-19 INFO & RESOURCES]

ORLA is continually monitoring and working on behalf of Oregon's hospitality industry to provide information and resources to help mitigate the negative impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). With the fluid nature of this situation, ORLA intends to keep hospitality industry members informed by updating this resource page, emailing alerts, and updating the Message from the CEO.

In addition, to receive push notifications with coronavirus updates including actions you can take to assist us at ORLA in representing your interests, text “ORLA” to 52886 and get signed up today. 
​
ANNOUNCEMENTS
[3.16.20 - State of Oregon] Governor Kate Brown announced in a press conference today she is closing restaurants and bars across the state and banning gatherings of more than 25 people to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Read the Governor's Executive Order NO. 20-07 relating to prohibition on on-premises consumption of food and drink and prohibition of gatherings of 25 people or more.

[3.14.20 - Secretary of State] Secretary of State Bev Clarno and Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle sent out a bulletin outlining state laws that protect both workers and businesses concerning coronavirus. Read Employer Alert: Guidance for employers on coronavirus

[3.13.20 - BOLI] BOLI Commissioner Val Hoyle agrees that the Governor declaring a state of emergency triggers the exemption for predictive scheduling and will act accordingly. Employers need to show a good faith effort in communicating with employees as soon as possible the scheduling challenges they are facing. Read BOLI's statement here.

[3.13.20 - USDOL] The U.S. Labor Department announced new guidance whereby federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws in administering their unemployment insurance (UI) programs in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. Read the announcement.

[3.12.20 - SBA] Announcement: SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[3.12.20 - State of Oregon] The Office of the Governor issued the following, Updated Mitigation Measures on Coronavirus Response: "All large gatherings over 250 people are canceled statewide, effectively immediately, for four weeks (through April 8, 2020)."
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[3.10.20 - Oregon Health Authority] The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has adopted temporary rules to exclude individuals with COVID-19 from attending or working in schools and children’s facilities, or from working in health care facilities or food service facilities (OAR 333-019-1000); see temporary administrative order. These temporary rules are effective March 9, 2020 through September 4, 2020. 

TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS

1. Sign up for ORLA's text alerts by texting "ORLA" to 52886
2. Post hand-washing and germ-spreading prevention posters in all public and employee areas of your business
3. Employees should stay home if they show any flu-like symptoms (per the National Restaurant Association)

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

CDC and Oregon Health Authority

• Updates in Oregon, resources, printable fact sheets - Oregon Health Authority
• Downloadable prevention flyers in English and Spanish - CDC
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease - CDC
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations - CDC

RESTAURANT INFORMATION, National Restaurant Association and Partners

• State of the Restaurant Industry (economic impact) - OpenTable
• Industry-specific guidance for owners and operators - National Restaurant Association
• Suggested Talking Points for Restaurant Operators - National Restaurant Association (Members Only Access)
• What Can You Do? (pdf) - ServSafe
• Handwashing Posters (English and Spanish) - ServSafe
• Cleaning VS. Sanitizing (English and Spanish) - ServSafe
• Handwashing Video - ServSafe
• Webinar: Preparing for Coronavirus - Steps for Foodservice and Restaurant Readiness - ServSafe
• Infection Prevention: Cleaning, Disinfection and Hygiene in Hospitality (pdf) - Ecolab

LODGING INFORMATION, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Partners

• Talking Points: COVID-19 Economic Impact on Hotel Industry - AHLA
• OXFORD ECONOMIC STUDY: Economic Impact Of The Hotel Industry Showcases Potential Negative Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
• OXFORD ECONOMIC STUDY: Impact on Hotel Room Demand And Direct Industry Job Loss: Comparison Between 9/11, Recession And Early Stage Of Coronavirus Pandemic
• Facts about Coronavirus (resources, and downloadable flyers) - AHLA
• Guidance for Employers to Plan & Respond to Coronavirus - AHLA
• Webinar series: Guidance for employers; Impact on the industry - AHLA
• Industry Statement: It Is Safe for Healthy Americans to Travel - AHLA
• COVID-19 Prevention & Preparedness Resource Guide - AHLA (Members Only Access)
• Tough Q & A on Coronavirus and the Lodging Industry - AHLA (Members Only Access)

Small Business Association and Oregon Business Community  

• Oregon Business Community Statement: COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to Mitigate Harm to Employees and Employers and to Protect the Future of Jobs in Oregon
• SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus - Qualifying business owners may be able to access Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.
• Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending (Gap Loans) - SBA (Small Business Association)

Other Resource for Employers

• COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Oregon Employment Department
• COVID-10/Coronavirus in Oregon: Facts about Sick Time - BOLI
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Resources for Businesses - Business Oregon
• Work Source Oregon helps support businesses and workers to avoid mass layoffs and lost wages and benefits - Work Source Oregon
• Comprehensive FAQs for Employers on the COVID-19 Coronavirus - Fisher Phillips (benefits, wage and hour, employee leave)
• Guidance For Employers To Plan and Respond To Coronavirus - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Press conference on Combating the Coronavirus and how businesses are responding - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Webcast on Coronavirus including steps to mitigate losses with hotel and vendor contracts and other legal considerations - ASAE

Decontamination Service:

• Summit Cleaning & Restoration

For more information on Oregon hospitality industry’s ongoing food safety training and certification programs, click here. 

ORLAEF ProStart Invitational Resources

​The 2020 ProStart Invitational is set for Monday, March 2, 2020, at the Salem Convention Center. Here you can download useful forms, templates and documents related to the event:​

• 2020 Oregon ProStart Invitational - Competition Schedule
• 2020 Oregon Culinary Only Rule
• 2020 Culinary Judge Rubric
• 2020 Culinary Scoresheets
• 2020 Oregon Management Only Rules
• 2020 Management Judge Rubric
• 2020 Management Scoresheets
• Very Important Dates​
• Team Registration
• Student Waiver
• Rules
• Plate Order Form 
• Participant Registration (Non-Competing Schools)
• Culinary Worksheets
• ​2019 Program for the Invitational (for reference) 
• ​Management Competition (powerpoint slides)
• National Educator of Excellence Award Nomination Form (due Feb. 14)

Educator Resources
​
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.

• For general information, download the ProStart Overview. 
• View the ODE presentation the 2019 Oregon ProStart Retreat.

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ProStart Curriculum
“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. Learn about new curriculum and teacher resources at Textbooks.restaurant.org.

• The Teacher's Resource Kit includes easy-to-follow steps for implementing the program and establishing outreach activities.
• Detailed lesson plans help you prepare with a minimum amount of time and effort.
• Videos and power points for each chapter are helpful supplementary materials
• Case studies and professional profiles accompany each chapter, aligning content with real-world examples.
• 2nd edition curriculum entitled "Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts" includes online e-text access, allowing online access outside the classroom. Learn more about the new curriculum.
• ODE culinary requirements and ProStart curriculum
• Sample pacing guide of ProStart curriculum

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​To order ProStart® curriculum for your school, contact Irina Bakun at 971.224.1515.

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.

View more information on Culinary Scholarships.
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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.
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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.

Rewarding Opportunities That Support Our Industry, Workforce

“Little did I know my culinary arts elective teacher... would be responsible for my graduating high school with honors, signing with my Division 1 dream team and being the first in my family to attend a four-year university…” - South Salem ProStart Student, Teacher Nomination 2019

​Philanthropy takes many forms. Sometimes you can easily see the impact of giving, like when someone who was cold walks away with a smile and a bit more energy after putting on a donated coat. Sometimes, however, you never really know how your actions and engagement may have a positive influence on someone, perhaps for a lifetime. 

Students who lack confidence and/or direction, as well as adults with socio-economic challenges seeking tools to help them become more self-dependent and stable, often thrive when positive role models and experiential learning are integrated with school and training programs. Interactions and reinforcements can also result in employment recruitment opportunities. When that happens with an industry partner who engages with our programs it represents the perfect wrap-around to the ORLA Education Foundation’s mission.

Why Do You Support ORLAEF’s Work?

• “I have been observing and participating with ProStart for well over a decade… and found that (that it is)… highly effective in early engagement, compressed learning modules, and increasing student interest in pursuit of food service careers.” Cory Schreiber, Culinary Consultant, Sysco Portland
• “I believe that it is important for our industry to support these students through sponsorship in order to help our industry grow through future generations.” Ryan McPhail, COO, Curtis Restaurant Equipment
• “My most memorable experience was to partner with ORALEF to present a complimentary Guest Service Gold class to the community of Cascade Locks to assist them in their economic recovery after the devastating 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.” Paul Paz, WaitersWorld
• “Guiding the drive and talent of our future workforce is something I don’t think twice about being involved in …not only rewarding, but I am blown away by their levels of execution and innovation at such a young age.” Seth Gruschow, Owner, Togather Restaurant Consultants
• “I’m excited to volunteer with ORLAEF’s board because hospitality really is one of the last, truly upwardly mobile industries in our increasingly divided and polarized country… hospitality is awash with stories of exec chefs who started as dishwashers and general managers who started by parking cars or serving banquets.” Alex Thompson, Area Director of People and Culture, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
• “ProStart has become a value and priority for me. The students have fresh ideas, hope and energy that they bring to the hospitality industry. They want mentoring and experience that we can give. I found a renewed excitement of the younger generation, a feeling of wanting to give more.” Treva Gambs, Owner, Gamberetti’s
• “When we share our time, experience, and energy to help others succeed, we can exponentially multiply ‘the good’… it is rewarding to help students gain self-confidence and professional skills.” Michael Chamberlain-Torres, Hospitality Recruiter, Gecko Hospitality
• “Thank you for always being there and for supporting us through this whole journey. Because of you, we made it to (ProStart) nationals; we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! We appreciate so much all of the positive vibes and reinforcement.” Bend High School Students, ORLAEF ProStart Invitational State Winners’ Letter to Wendy Popkin, ORLAEF

How Can You Get Involved?

1. Be Guest Speaker in a Classroom- Share your career, how you entered the industry, what helped you get ahead, what skills your position requires, and why you value your role in hospitality/culinary, and/or provide a demonstration.
2. Host a Field Trip- Invite a ProStart class to tour your operation to give students a better view of how your business operates and the job opportunities your type of organization offers.
3. Donate Money- ORLAEF is a 501c3 nonprofit and relies heavily on sponsorships and donations for our operational funds.
4. Adopt a School- Become an active partner with a local school in your community and make a financial donation that supports both ORLAEF and the school’s needs.
5. Use and Promote Our Industry Accredited Certifications and Training Programs- such as Certified Guest Service 
Professional (OregonGuestService.com), stackable credentials (AHLEI.org/certifications) and the new ServSuccess credentials (ServSuccess.com).
6. Assist with the 2020 ORLAEF ProStart Invitational (OregonRLA.org/Invitational)- Support the students’ capstone projects by judging, volunteering to help with the event, and/or donating prizes.
7. Create a Scholarship- Teachers as well as students often lack funds to support their continuing education needs.
8. Donate Product- Many culinary programs are forced to limit the scope of hands-on experience for students because of the cost of food and/or the lack of commercial equipment. 
9. Represent the Industry at a Career Fair- There are many middle school, high school, and social service opportunities to showcase our industry’s workforce opportunities.
10. Volunteer to Serve on a School District or Community Workforce Board- “The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease” and hospitality is chronically underrepresented in the decision-making process about the industries that receive attention and funding for public education classes and workforce training programs.

“Philanthropy means the love of humanity. A conventional modern definition is, ‘private initiatives, for the public good, focusing on quality of life.’ Philanthropy has distinguishing characteristics separate from charity; A difference commonly cited is that charity aims to relieve the pain of a particular social problem, whereas philanthropy attempts to address the root cause of the problem—the difference between the proverbial gift of a fish to a hungry person, versus teaching them how to fish.” - Wikipedia

Please join us in our efforts to teach others how to fish, via supporting your foundation’s programs that aim to provide opportunities for rewarding jobs that help individuals create stable and fulfilling lives. Contact me via email
 or 971.224.1105. | Wendy Popkin, ORLAEF

About 
Wendy Popkin is the Executive Director for ORLA’s Education Foundation (ORLAEF), a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting the educational and training needs of the hospitality industry. Wendy is a 30+-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.”
 OregonRLA.org/EdFoundation

There were several new statewide laws passed in the 2019 Oregon Legislative Session that went into effect as of January 1, 2020 or earlier this year. The following are some of the more frequently asked bills related to hospitality businesses.

Plastic Straws on Request
SB 90 prohibits food and beverage providers or convenience stores from providing single-use plastic straws to consumers unless consumers specifically request single-use plastic straws. Although ORLA opposed this bill, we were able to gain concessions such as allowing for employees to offer drive-thru customers a plastic straw rather than requiring them to ask for one. After notice for a first and second violation, subsequent violations may include a fine of "not more than $25 for each day in which the food and beverage provider... remains in violation... The enforcement officer may not impose total fines of more than $300 during a calendar year." Read the specific bill language on SB 90. 

FAQs on plastic straws:

1. Can drive-thru locations still give straws without guest request? Restaurant drive-thru windows can verbally offer single-use plastic straws to consumers in vehicles.
2. I understand that cocktail straws are considered stirrers. Does the same law apply for self-serve coffee stations (i.e., hotel breakfast areas)? There is no statewide single-use plastic ban on stirrers. Only in local jurisdictions (like Portland) does this exist. A single-use plastic straw must be used to transfer liquid from a container to a person’s mouth, therefore stirrers should still be exempt.
3. Can service staff at a sit-down (full-service) restaurant ask the guest if they would like a straw? No, the guests will need to ask for a straw. The exception includes, "in which the consumer may receive a delivery of prepared food or a beverage while seated in or on a vehicle."
4. If a location has both a drive-thru and a dining room are the guests who dine-in served differently than those who drive through? Yes. Drive-thrus are explicitly allowed to be more proactive in asking if the customer wants a straw.   
5. Are hotel rooms with coffee service exempt from the plastic straw rule? Yes. They are not considered a licensed restaurant. Related, a hotel breakfast area, if it is just a breakfast area and not a restaurant, could provide plastic straws without a guest having to request them because they are not a licensed restaurant.
6. Do quick-service locations with a self-serve soda fountain need to remove straws from the self-serve area and only have them behind the counter for customers to request? Yes, if they are a restaurant. The exemption is that convenience stores can still have straws out in self-service areas if the convenience store doesn’t have space behind the counter to store the straws where staff are.
7. What other materials can be used for single-use straws instead? Businesses can still include straws if they’re not made from any sort of plastic; other material options may include but are not limited to paper, pasta, sugar cane, wood, or bamboo.
8. Are mobile food trucks that have walk-up customers treated like a “drive-thru?" No. The definition in the bill requires the person to be "seated in or on a vehicle."

Plastic Bag Ban
HB 2509B prohibits retail establishments from providing single-use checkout bags to customers, except in certain cases. ORLA opposed this bill to ban all plastic checkout bags from restaurants, grocery stores and other establishments. Violations carry a maximum fine of $250 with one occurrence per day maximum. Enforcement officers are those who conduct inspections on behalf of your local government or regulating state agency, and may determine compliance during these inspections. Read the specific bill language on HB 2509.

FAQs on Plastic Bags:

1. Do drive-thru locations need to adhere to the new single-use plastic bag ban? Yes.
2. What can restaurants provide to customers? Restaurants may provide: (a) Recycled paper checkout bags at no cost to customers, (b) Reusable plastic checkout bags at no cost to customers who use an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services, or if they charge not less than five cents per bag.
3. What are the restrictions for restaurants? Restaurants may not provide: (a) Single-use checkout bags to customers, (b) Reusable plastic checkout bags to customers unless the restaurant charges not less than five cents for each reusable plastic checkout bag.
4. Are single-use biodegradable plastic bags still allowed? No. Checkout bags can only be a recycled paper checkout bag, a reusable fabric checkout bag or a reusable plastic checkout bag.

Resources:

• DEQ/State of Oregon website
• Sustainable Shopping Initiative FAQs
• A Better Way to Bag - FAQs and Suggestions from Hillsboro Chamber and City of Hillsboro

Some cities in Oregon have already instituted plastic bag bans. This new law “generally preempts, or overrides, any existing local checkout bag policy." Local governments cannot have different restrictions from the statewide law in their local policy, but could require a higher fee and impose a penalty other than the penalty established under HB 2509—but a restaurant or retail store can only be charged with a violation under either the local provision or HB 2509.

• City of Portland Single-Use Plastics 
• City of Salem Plastic Bag Ban in Effect 

Commercial Activities Tax
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. Draft rules have been released by the Department of Revenue, including estimated payments and filing extensions. The Department of Revenue intends to release a series of draft rules through March, with the permanent rulemaking process beginning on April 1, 2020. The tax begins on January 1, 2020. It includes all business entity types, including C and S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, etc. Read more on the CAT, timelines, and other resources.

Accommodations for Pregnancy Related Conditions
The Oregon Legislature recently passed House Bill 2341 (2019) which provides additional employee protections related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, including lactation. Read more at Oregon.gov/boli.

Real ID
As of Oct. 1, 2020, regular Oregon driver’s licenses will no longer be valid to board a commercial flight, or do other activities where a federally approved form of identification is required. Should someone choose not to upgrade to a Real ID, a standard Oregon driver’s licenses will still be good for activities, such as driving, purchasing alcohol, registering to vote or applying for benefits.

​Questions? If you have additional questions on these or other new laws, contact Nicole Peterson, Government Affairs Coordinator, at 503.320.9823.
​

We welcome industry members' submissions of news and information 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 submitted.

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.
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• 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. 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, articles submitted must fit monthly editorial theme, check media kits 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 LLittle@OregonRLA.org.

What’s Legal When It Comes to CBD in Edibles and Alcohol

As new trends and topics in the alcohol industry emerge, the OLCC strives to keep current on these issues. Recently, there has been significant interest throughout the industry in the use and sale of cannabidiol (CBD) items on liquor-licensed premises. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill) was partially responsible for generating this interest because a part of the bill removed “hemp” and its derivatives from the definition of “marihuana” in the Controlled Substances Act. Although the 2018 Farm Bill established some regulatory authority for hemp under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this piece of legislation did little to explain or clarify the legal status of CBD and CBD products. Due to this uncertainty, the next few paragraphs will attempt to explain the complexities of this issue and help to answer a few questions about CBD products and OLCC liquor licensees.

What is CBD?
First, it is important to understand what CBD is and where it comes from.  CBD is a non-intoxicating chemical compound (called a cannabinoid) that can be derived from cannabis plants. Because both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant (cannabis) they are both interchangeably referred to as cannabis, but there is an important legal distinction. Whether a cannabis plant is considered hemp or marijuana depends upon the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the plant contains. THC is, of course, the cannabinoid responsible for the psychological effects associated with marijuana consumption. For a cannabis plant to be considered hemp, it must contain less than 0.3 percent THC, otherwise the plant is considered marijuana. Because marijuana is still considered to be a Schedule I controlled substance by the federal government, the source of the CBD is important. Even if a finished CBD product contains 0 percent THC, if the CBD was derived from a plant that contained more than 0.3 percent THC and is therefore marijuana, the CBD is considered a marijuana derivative. In Oregon, marijuana and all marijuana derivatives may only be sold by a licensed recreational marijuana retail store or medical marijuana registrant. For OLCC liquor licensees, the source of the CBD is also important because permitting the use or sale of a marijuana item on a liquor-licensed premises is a violation that could result in a license suspension or civil penalty. 
  
Although the CBD must be derived from hemp, not all hemp products contain CBD. Hemp stalks and seeds contain only trace amounts of CBD and have been legally used in food and beverages prior to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The CBD used in many popular products is commonly extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.  The remainder of this article refers to CBD derived from hemp.

What Conduct is Prohibited?
Despite the current lack of legal clarity, federal agencies have provided guidance on two types of conduct that are prohibited. First, the FDA, which regulates food products and food safety, has determined that selling or offering to sell a food or beverage item containing CBD in interstate commerce is illegal. For OLCC liquor licensees to comply with federal law, they should not purchase CBD products that were produced in another state. 
 
Second, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which regulates the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, has determined it will not approve any alcoholic beverage formulas that contain CBD.  Because obtaining formula approval is required to produce an alcoholic beverage with a non-traditional ingredient (such as hemp), all alcoholic beverages manufactured with CBD are prohibited.  This means that all OLCC licensees that manufacture alcoholic beverages are prohibited from adding CBD during the production of the beverage or prior to bottling.  To help clarify the agency’s position, the OLCC has proposed a rule change that would make it a violation for any OLCC liquor licensee to manufacture, store, or sell any alcoholic beverage that contains cannabinoids or any substance derived from cannabis, including cannabis terpenes.  If adopted at the December Commission Meeting, the rule would apply to all license types and be effective January 1, 2020. 

What about Non-Alcoholic CBD Products?
The two other common questions received by the OLCC on this issue involve non-alcoholic CBD products. Licensees are particularly interested in mixing non-alcoholic CBD beverages with alcohol in a mixed drink for on-premises consumption and are also interested in selling non-alcoholic CBD products on liquor-licensed premises.  

In Oregon, hemp production is regulated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). The ODA has adopted rules that govern products made with hemp, including items intended for human consumption.  Under ODA rules, those food and beverage items made with hemp are required to be tested in the same manner that marijuana food items are tested in Oregon. This means that an OLCC licensed laboratory or equivalent lab must receive samples from each process lot of the hemp items and the lab must test those products to ensure they meet certain standards regarding pesticides, solvents, and potency.  Because people are going to be consuming these products, it is extremely important to make sure that these items have been tested.   

Because the effect of mixing CBD and alcohol is currently unknown, the OLCC recommends that licensees do not mix CBD and alcohol together into mixed drinks for on-premises consumption.  If a licensee chooses to do so, it is done at the licensee’s own risk. If a licensee would like to sell a non-alcoholic CBD item on a liquor-licensed premises, the licensee must obtain a copy of the lab report showing that the product was properly tested according to the ODA’s rules. If any licensee is currently selling any CBD products that have not been properly tested, the licensee should have removed all non-compliant products from their inventory by December 31, 2019.

The OLCC is publishing guidance documents on the OLCC website to help explain what types of activities may occur on a liquor-licensed premises. The guidance is split into five categories: alcohol manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, liquor store sales, sale of alcohol at retail, and testing requirements. The guidance is meant to help provide clarity for a very complex issue.  These documents are scheduled to be available by the end of December and will be updated if rules or policies change. If you have questions, please visit the OLCC website at Oregon.gov/OLCC or contact the OLCC. | Jamie Dickinson, Oregon Liquor Control Commission

This article originally published in the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Magazine - Winter 2020

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association to Honor Six Restaurant Industry Members

[Wilsonville, OR] – Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is proud to announce the 2020 state winners of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) Restaurant Industry Awards. Two restaurants, Elephants Delicatessen (Portland) and Sybaris Bistro (Albany) were named state winners for the Restaurant Neighbor Award. Loretta Guzman (Bison Coffee House, Portland), Jason Devrouax (First Burger, Albany), and Lauro Romero (Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Portland) were named state winners for the Faces of Diversity Award. Paul Paz (WaitersWorld, Portland) was named state winner for the Ambassador of Hospitality Award.

“The involvement and dedication these restaurants have shown in support of local philanthropy is commendable and exemplifies the spirit of our industry and our state,” said Jason Brandt, ORLA President & CEO. “It’s an honor to recognize these restaurants as well as four individuals who have achieved success through perseverance and passion.”

Nine out of 10 restaurants give back to their communities through charitable activities. Restaurants also play an important role in providing a ladder of opportunity for millions of Americans to achieve the American Dream.

Each year, the NRAEF recognizes restaurants around the country for outstanding community service, diversity and leadership. These prestigious national awards honor restaurants that go above and beyond in supporting their community and inspiring others with their stories of success. 

All state winners were forwarded to NRAEF in consideration for national awards to be announced early March. Three national Restaurant Neighbor Award winners will receive a $10,000 award to help support their favorite charity or community project. Three national winners of the Faces of Diversity Award will have a $2,500 scholarship awarded in their name to an aspiring student from their state. In addition, all national winners will be flown to Washington, DC to receive the award at a special banquet on March 4, 2020.

Oregon’s award recipients will be formally recognized among their peers during the ORLA Hospitality Conference, this year in Ashland, September 28-29, 2020. 

For more information on Oregon's restaurant awards, visit OregonRLA.org/restaurant-awards. 

​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. The following resources are made available to teachers for use in their culinary classrooms.

Plan, Shop, Chop (PSC)
In this interactive simulation, students plan and shop for a meal of their choosing and then calculate and discuss the impact when an average of 40% of food is wasted in the United States. Topics include greenhouse gas emissions, use of landfill space, and loss of natural resources, human labor, and money, as well as generating solutions to prevent food waste at home. The lesson includes optional extensions to investigate the food waste hierarchy and examine the supply chain of a common food item, the banana.

• Food Waste Warrior Lesson Plan

 
​Plan, Shop, Chop Lesson:

• Plan, Shop, Chop Lesson Plan
• Plan, Shop, Chop Worksheet
• Plan, Shop, Chop Your Own Menu Worksheet  
• Plan, Shop, Chop Presentation for Classrooms
• Land, Water and Fuel Resource Poster
• Food Waste Triangle Hierarchy

Banana Supply Chain:

• Banana Consumption
• Banana Growing
• Banana Packing
• Banana Retail
• Banana Ripening
• Banana Shipping
• Banana Transporting
• Banana Treating
• Banana Washing​

 
Living with Food in the 21st Century
This two-part lesson guides participants through a new story of climate change using a lens of hope, equity, community resilience, and increased quality of life. After discussing the basics of climate science with graphs and personal stories, participants will use an interactive concept map and short video series to understand the link between consumer culture and climate disruption. They will then investigate a range of individual and collective actions to combat climate change through a ranking activity with drawdown solutions and a climate justice mixer.

• Living with Food in the 21st Century Presentation
• Role Play: La Via Campesina
• Original Concept Map
• Positive Concept Map

 
Additional Resources from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE)

• ODE Culinary Requirements and ProStart Curriculum - Crosswalk of ProStart curriculum to ODE culinary arts, CTE classroom, requirements
• Sample Pacing Guide of ProStart Curriculum

​

At their most recent meeting, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) Board of Directors voted unanimously (with 1 abstention) to support a legislative bill which will originate from Governor Brown’s office in support of a permanent 1.8% statewide lodging tax rate during the 2020 Oregon Legislative Session. Revenue raised by the statewide lodging tax is invested in Travel Oregon’s efforts to strengthen the economic impact of our state’s tourism industry. Oregon’s statewide lodging tax is currently collected at a rate of 1.8% with a reduction in the rate scheduled to take effect as of July 1, 2020 to a permanent rate of 1.5%.

“We appreciate Governor Brown’s proactive outreach to meet with ORLA and some of our key lodging stakeholders in person to discuss the merits of keeping the statewide lodging tax rate at 1.8% permanently,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of ORLA. “Our goals for lodging tax rate structures in Oregon are two-fold – protecting all statewide lodging tax resources to create return on investment for the industry through the efforts of Travel Oregon and protecting local lodging tax reforms passed in the 2003 Legislative Session.”

Oregon continues to experience healthy growth in tourism spending logging our ninth consecutive year of industry growth in 2018. Compared to 2017, visitor spending was up 4.2% reaching a record $12.3 billion. Industry employment was also up year over year by 2.9% to approximately 115,400. Year over year, hotel room revenue increased by 4.4% as well.

“We have seen firsthand what strategic investments in tourism promotion can do when industry tax dollars are put to their most effective use,” said Brandt. “With many other competing priorities in the Capitol, it is essential the association protects the appropriate use of these dollars at both the local and state levels. The economic impacts we are seeing are significant not just for our industry but for our public sector partners as well.”

The U.S. Travel Association tracks statewide economic impact throughout the country and assists states in quantifying the value of year over year tourism growth. The most recently available data notates Oregon’s tourism growth at 5.3% when comparing 2016 to 2017, further substantiating the value of healthy tourism growth for Oregon’s public sector. From 2016 to 2017, Oregon experienced visitor spending growth of $652 million. That increase in spending and associated payroll income tax increases equates to as many as 410 firefighter positions, 380 police officer positions, or 380 teacher positions.

ORLA continues to focus on the protection of local lodging tax dollars for tourism promotion and tourism related facilities in addition to support given to Governor Brown’s upcoming legislative bill for the statewide resource. Oregon’s local lodging tax structure can be complicated with over 110 different city and county jurisdictions collecting a transient lodging tax outside of the 1.8% statewide tax. Important guidelines have been in place for the past 16 years for how local lodging tax dollars can be spent. To clarify those parameters, ORLA recently produced a new instructional video to assist all stakeholders and the general public in better understanding the rules which govern local lodging tax resources.

The new video specific to local lodging taxes (not to be confused with Oregon’s 1.8% statewide lodging tax) can be viewed here:

• Oregon Lodging Tax Defined (video)

For more information about the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association’s policies on transient lodging taxes, please reach out to Greg Astley, ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs, at astley@oregonrla.org via email.

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. ​

Latest Update from ORLA:
Mar. 26, 2020 - Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association joined 48 other Oregon businesses and organizations in signing a letter to legislators urging temporary relief from the Commercial (Corporate) Activity Tax. Oregon’s hospitality businesses are critically challenged with this crisis and a new tax could hurt their ability to pay employees, potentially leading to more layoffs.​ Read the letter.

Latest Updates from the Department of Revenue:
Mar. 20 - DOR posted a link to a video of the March 10 CAT update meeting in Ashland on the agency’s website. The department has also posted a copy of the presentation used in the update meetings. Business taxpayers can send questions to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov.
Mar. 13 - DOR has suspended its series of Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) update meetings due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. In the coming days, the department will announce alternatives to the in-person meetings for providing CAT update information to business taxpayers and tax professionals.
Mar. 6 - Two new administrative rules governing Oregon’s new Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) have been officially filed with the Secretary of State effective March 6. Twelve rules for the CAT became effective Jan. 1 with four others taking effect Feb. 1.​
Feb. 6 - The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) will host a series of meetings across the state in March to provide information to business taxpayers about the administrative rules for the new Commercial Activity Tax. Complete schedule available online.
Jan. 27 - Three new draft rules have been posted on DOR's CAT page, allowing business taxpayers time to review the rules and use them as guidance on how to proceed and offers them an additional opportunity to have input into the rules. 
Jan. 13 - A new draft administrative rule has been added to the CAT page on the DOR website and is the first of the second group of temporary rules which will be officially filed with the Oregon Secretary of State February 1.
Jan. 6 - General guidance on how to calculate a business’s CAT liability has been added to the FAQ page of DOR's website. The guidance includes information on how to use the labor or cost subtraction.
Jan. 2 - The first group of 12 temporary administrative rules governing the new CAT have been officially filed with the Secretary of State, found on the Secretary of State’s website under current rules for Chapter 150, Division 317. Permanent rulemaking begins April 1. 

​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

• The tax begins on January 1, 2020. It includes all business entity types, including C and S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, etc.
• CAT returns will be due each year on April 15. Estimated payments for the CAT will be due quarterly.
• You must register within 30 days of when you are aware you will hit the $750,000 registration requirement. If you do not register, there may be a penalty of $100 per month up to $1,000 per year. Online registration will open through Revenue in December.
• According to the Department of Revenue, temporary rules will be published January – March 2020, with permanent rules being established April – June of 2020. Items identified as “critical” by the Department of Revenue will be posted first in January, including instructions for estimated payments, calculations, and registration.
• More information on Oregon.gov/DOR. You can provide input any time by emailing DOR at cat.help.dor@oregon.gov​

​Inside Licensing: Create a Buzz With Music (Guest Column)

There’s only one thing better than a cold beer and spending a leisurely afternoon in a taproom with friends enjoying craft brews, and that’s having music in the background. Better yet, live musicians playing for the crowd.

Music is used by businesses everywhere because it creates an atmosphere that encourages customers to relax and enjoy themselves. Isn’t that exactly how you want your customers to feel at your establishment? They’ll stay longer, spend more, and tell friends about the great time they had.

But playing music publicly in any business involves more than just turning it on, streaming it, or hiring live musicians. Music, like all intellectual property, belongs to the songwriters and composers who create it, and that ownership is protected under U.S. and global copyright laws. These laws were written with one purpose in mind: to encourage music creators to continue their craft and reward them for their unique contributions to our culture.

How does a business go about getting the permission it needs to play a songwriter’s music? By working with a performing rights organization such as BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, or GMR. PROs (performing rights organizations) try to make the licensing process as simple as possible by granting permission to play millions of songs with one license and one annual fee. This saves business owners the immense time and expense of tracking down and negotiating fees with all the songwriters and composers of the music they play.

Some business owners believe that, since they only play live original music, they don’t need a license. That’s not true. The term “original music” generally means music written by the performing musicians. Those musicians, however, may also be songwriters who are affiliated with BMI (most professional musicians are members of a performing rights organization). Writers join such licensing organizations because they’re the vehicles through which songwriters and composers are compensated for the public performances of their music. BMI operates on a not-for-profit basis and distributes 90 cents of every dollar in licensing fees back to its affiliates. That means even if musicians play their own music, they can register their sets and be paid through the BMI Live program.

Another common misconception is that, if musicians are playing live music, they’re responsible for paying their own public performance fees. This is also not true. Just as a bar or restaurant owner wouldn’t ask their bartender to secure the liquor license, it’s not up to the musicians to secure the music license. It’s like any other license a business owner must have, and even if the musicians are hired as independent contractors, the responsibility for licensing can’t be passed on to the performers.

Licensing the music you use will not only protect your business, it will also help ensure the continued creation of great music for you—and all of us—to play and enjoy.

[Article originally published in Spirited Magazine, November 2019]


ABOUT BMI:

Celebrating over 79 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 15 million musical works created and owned by more than one million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. BMI is an Endorsed Service Provider of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association members who meet the group eligibility requirements can receive an additional 14% discount with SAIF in the ORLA Group plan 

[Wilsonville, OR] – SAIF announced today final approval of a 14% discount on workers’ comp premiums for Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) members who meet the group eligibility requirements. This represents the largest discount available for Oregon’s hotels and restaurants in the program.
 
"With the cost of doing business continuing to rise, this program provides needed coverage along with significant cost savings for hospitality members,” said Jason Brandt, president and CEO of ORLA. "We are excited about the new group discount and the continued opportunities we have to jointly promote safer workplaces with our partners at SAIF.” 

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. 

SAIF also declared two dividends earlier this year, one based on premium and one tied to safety performance. SAIF determines whether a policyholder dividend is appropriate based on capital levels, claim trends, and the overall economic environment. This year SAIF has seen strong investment returns and favorable trends in injury prevention and claim cost containment.

“As a not-for-profit with a public mission to make workers' comp available and affordable, paying dividends is an important part of the value we offer Oregon employers,” said Kerry Barnett, president and CEO of SAIF. “In addition to dividends, we are proud to offer our customers some of the lowest rates, best-in-class service, and the largest network of workplace safety professionals of any insurance carrier in Oregon,” said Barnett. 

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. Since 1914, 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. 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a judge for the ORLAEF ProStart Invitational, sponsored by Sysco, on Monday, March 2, 2020, at the Salem Convention Center. We appreciate your support.

The event work is demanding but inspiring. Many judges and volunteers return every year because it is so exciting to be part of the day’s energy, and to witness the results of our students four months of hard work.

Time Commitment:

• Actively participate in a one-hour teleconference training call
• Thoroughly review rules and category rubrics, including: 
  • Sample scoresheet for the culinary competition 
  • Sample scoresheet for the management competition 
• Participate at the competition on Monday, March 2, 2020 from approximately 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and commit to providing positive, constructive feedback to our students in-line with the competition rules.

Please complete the form below and type in N/A where answers do not apply. Thank you, we appreciate your support!

Wendy Popkin, Executive Director, ORLA Education Foundation | ​WPopkin@OregonRLA.org | 971-224-1505

Editorial from ORLA's President & CEO Jason Brandt
[as published in the Portland Business Journal, Oct. 4, 2019]
 
According to a new Gallup poll, Americans say the restaurant industry is the most respected in America. And those of us working for both restaurants and lodging establishments at Oregon’s statewide association are taking a moment to celebrate this milestone.

We hope you join us in celebrating all the reasons why restaurants are vital to the infrastructure of our local economies in Oregon while also learning more about the industry’s expansive business models. For our counterparts operating full-service models with waiters and waitresses in Oregon, the path to sustainability is proving harder to figure out. Nationally, an average of 95 cents of every dollar customers spend goes back into the food, the people, and the place. Operators across our state are working hard to figure out how to maintain that level of reinvestment into the future as the realities of increased regulation take their toll.

As the leader of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA), you won’t hear me crying wolf. Will there be massive closures of restaurants? No, but will there be an increase in ownership transitions and restaurants on the market for purchase? Yes. Will there be a hoard of server job losses as restaurants look at different business models? Probably not but we are seeing more counter service restaurants that do eliminate the existence of server positions and we expect those trends to continue. Are we seeing growing anxiety amongst our mom and pop restaurant establishments across this state as they attempt to absorb labor increases, additional human resource requirements for mandatory savings accounts for employees, paid sick leave, paid family leave, and the new corporate activity tax? Without question.

If we all take a step back collectively there is so much to celebrate relating to the role of restaurants in our society. Where else can an employee start as a dishwasher and rise to an executive position within a company? We have those stories. Where else can those working hard to get their lives back on track after serving time find jobs that pay a living wage? What industry employs more minorities and women managers than any other industry? You guessed it – that would be restaurants.

As we celebrate the findings of Gallup’s recent poll we also see it as an opportunity to make sure Oregonians better understand the pressures and anxieties facing restaurant operators in Oregon today. And if we love restaurants and their roles as cornerstones of our communities we hope you will join us in protecting their viability across the rural and urban landscapes of our great state.

Too often, our industry deals with headlines focusing on starting wage positions within restaurants and misperceptions about compensation opportunities in the industry. The world of restaurants is a land of opportunity for advancement and industry certifications for restaurant front line staff, supervisors, and managers are available to assist entry level employees with opportunities to advance.

One in three Americans had their first job in a restaurant and in today’s digital age what better way for our youth to develop crucial interpersonal skills than by getting their start professionally in a restaurant setting. Those of us at ORLA would argue there has never been a more important time for the role of restaurants in the lives of our young people.

As our industry continues the process of adjusting to new requirements for operating a business in Oregon we ask you to join us in celebrating the good that comes from embracing restaurant businesses across our state and we thank you for taking some time to better understand their triumphs and challenges. Remember, on average, 95 cents of every dollar spent goes back into the restaurant experience. We look forward to seeing you again soon for your next celebration. | Jason Brandt, President & CEO, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

Top Restaurant and Hotel Industry Members Recognized by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association 

Four members of Oregon’s food and lodging industry were recognized as 2019 Oregon Hospitality Industry Award recipients by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) during the annual Conference in September. Chuck Hinman, Best Western Plus Hood River Inn was named Lodging Operator of the Year; Kurt Huffman, ChefStable (Portland) was named Restaurateur of the Year; Dorothy Petersen, Papa Murphy’s (Junction City) was named Employee of the Year; and Togather Restaurant Consulting was named Allied Partner of the Year.
 
The recipients of these awards were recognized among their peers and over 330 delegates of ORLA’s Hospitality Conference on September 17, 2019, at the Seaside Convention Center in Seaside, Oregon.

“Oregon’s hospitality industry is teeming with individuals who contribute significantly to the health of the trade,” says Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “These winners represent not only some of our industry’s most dedicated leaders and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve.” 

Lodging Operator of the Year: Chuck Hinman, general manager of the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, has worked in the hospitality industry his entire career, primarily in hotel management in the Seattle, Portland and Hood River markets. He’s managed the Hood River Inn since early 1990, shortly after it was acquired by owner group D.M. Stevenson Ranch. Chuck has been a tireless advocate of the hospitality industry, engaging on issues impacting businesses and his local community. He served several years on ORLA’s Board of Directors and was Chair of the lodging association during the merger with the restaurant association in 2010.

Restaurateur of the Year: Kurt Huffman, owner of ChefStable, is well-known in the Portland restaurant scene as a passionate advocate for the industry. Under his vision and leadership, ChefStable, a hospitality management group and consultancy, has opened over forty restaurants in Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas and beyond over the last ten years. ChefStable partners with talented and passionate chefs to design, build and operate restaurants, bars, catering and more–taking care of all of the operational details so its partners can focus on food and service. Kurt also provides leadership for the Portland Kitchen Cabinet, an ORLA-sponsored civic engagement program committed to growing and preserving opportunity in the restaurant industry.

Employee of the Year: Dorothy Petersen has been with Papa Murphy’s for close to 20 years and has become a fixture in the Junction City community. Dorothy knows almost every customer and goes out of her way to make every guest welcome and appreciated. She even inspired a young frequent customer to write a school paper on how he wanted to “be like Dorothy.” As store manager, she supervises a team of mostly young people, and often sees her role as a “mom” to them. Dorothy teaches the young employees more than just how to make a pizza, but also some key interpersonal and life skills. 

Allied Partner of the Year: Togather Restaurant Consulting helps business owners with start up, turn around, staff training, menu creation, branding and marketing, and analysis and evaluations. Seth Gruschow, founder and owner of Togather, leads a dynamic team of professionals in working with influencers and innovators to create a networking web of local and reliable businesses. Togather serves as a tremendous resource to the industry by sharing their expertise at events and sponsoring programs like the ORLAEF ProStart Invitational.

For more information on the Hospitality Industry Awards, visit OregonRLA.org/Awards.