Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

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    • Contact Us
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    • Foundation Board
    • ORLAMS Board
    • ORLA Staff
    • Year in Review 2021
    • Restaurant Facts
  • Membership
    • Reopening Safely >
      • Commitment to Safety Seal
    • Restaurant Benefits >
      • OR Restaurant Covid Assistance
    • Lodging Benefits >
      • Update Your Lodging Listing
    • Allied Benefits
    • Cost-Saving Member Programs >
      • ASCAP
      • BMI
      • Dell
      • Clover
      • GNSA
      • Guardian Group
      • Liberty Mutual
      • Office Depot
      • ORLA 401K
      • SAIF
      • UnitedHealth Group
      • Hospitality Hub
  • Advocacy
    • 2021 Legislative Session & Bills
    • COVID-19 Resources & Announcements
    • FAQ / Industry Guidance (COVID-19)
    • Federal Action
    • Relief for Employers & Employees
    • ORLA Outcomes
    • ORLA Relief Efforts
    • Lottery
    • Meet the Team
    • ORLAPAC >
      • Donate to PAC
    • Portland Chapter
    • Take Action
    • Tip Pooling
  • Foundation
    • Donate
    • Oregon Travel Gifts Fundraiser
    • Foundation Board
    • Guest Service Training >
      • Guest Service Gold®
      • Guest Service During Covid
    • Hospitality Help Fund >
      • Takeout And A Movie
      • Restaurant Fund Application
    • ProStart >
      • ProStart Invitational
      • ProStart Resources
    • Workforce >
      • Best Practices
  • Training
    • Alcohol Server Training
    • Crisis Services and Training
    • Food Handler Training
    • GUEST SERVICE TRAINING >
      • Guest Service Gold®
      • GUEST SERVICE DURING COVID
    • Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy
    • ServSafe®
    • Webinars & Workshops
    • Workforce Development
  • News & Events
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • Subscribe
    • Awards >
      • Hospitality Industry Awards
      • Restaurant Awards
    • Boiled Down Podcast
    • Calendar
    • ORLA Events
    • Digital Publications
    • NW Food Show
    • OREGON PROSTART INVITATIONAL
    • Webinars & Workshops
  • Resources
    • Advertise With Us
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Compliance & ADA
    • Cost-Saving Programs
    • Crisis Services & Training
    • Disasters and Workplace Security
    • FAQs
    • Federal & State Agencies
    • Lodging Listings
    • OR Restaurant Covid Assistance
    • Sustainability >
      • Reducing Food Waste
    • Tourism Partners

ORLA and Portland Lodging Alliance Recognized for Cleanup Events

11/23/2020

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​International Society of Hotel Associations Honors ORLA and Portland Lodging Alliance with 2020 Award of Excellence

​
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 23, 2020
Contact: 
Christina Pappas | 1-617-536-0590    

BOSTON, MA - The International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA) announced its Awards of Excellence, honoring the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association and Portland Lodging Alliance for their Hospitality with Heart downtown cleanup events. 

In September 2020, ORLA’s Portland Lodging Alliance teamed up with SOLVE Oregon, the Portland Business Alliance, Clean & Safe, Travel Portland, and the City of Portland for the 2nd annual Hospitality with Heart litter cleanup event, bringing over 500 volunteers and community members together to improve the wellbeing of our city. Since then, the Portland Lodging Alliance has been helping coordinate monthly cleanup events. 

The ISHA Awards of Excellence recognizes those lodging associations who have had exceptional programs in the areas of Communications, Events and Fundraising, Government Affairs, Member Programs and Public Relations over the past year.  

The Awards of Excellence winners include:
  • Communications - Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association for their COVID-19 Crisis Communications
  • Events & Fundraising - Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association for Hospitality with Heart, A Downtown Portland Cleanup Effort
  • Government Affairs - Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association for their Safe Meetings Media Event to Restore Illinois!
  • Member Programs - Texas Hotel & Lodging Association for their Membership Town Halls
  • Public Relations - Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association for their Illinois Emergency Grant Program
  • Circle of Excellence Award - California Hotel & Lodging Association for their extensive and integrated programs addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, including: Project RoomKey, COVID-19 Resource Page, COVID-19 Hotel Plan and Clean & Safe program, among others. 

“ISHA is pleased to recognize these six award winners,” stated Christina Pappas, Executive Director of ISHA. “While the majority of the programs focus on pandemic response to members and the industry, these programs truly help set the standard for others to follow.”

ISHA presents the annual Awards of Excellence for the best lodging association programs and services and are widely recognized as the best of the best within the hotel and lodging association industry representing innovation and creativity that has brought tangible results to the association and its members. Award winners receive complimentary registration to a future ISHA Conference.

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ISHA provides professional development and networking opportunities for lodging associations, and represents the unified voice of state lodging associations in collaboration with our national industry partners. For more information visit www.isha.biz.
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2021 Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy Applications Open

10/16/2020

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OTLA Picture
Hospitality and Tourism Professionals to Embark on Experiences of a Lifetime

Wilsonville, OR – In partnership with Travel Oregon and the Oregon Destination Association, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is proud to announce the launch of Year 2 for the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA). Participants will begin their first multi-day program experience in Eastern Oregon, April 28-30, 2021, pursuing in-depth experiences and knowledge that will elevate their passion and excitement for our state’s extraordinary offerings. The deadline to apply for the class launching in 2021 is Friday, December 4, 2020.

“Much has changed in our world since the inception of the program and we're seeing incredible things happen with the current program participants who are half way through the inaugural year experience," said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. "The value of program experiences and professional connectivity created by the program will provide lasting benefits to those accepted to the program each year.”

OTLA has spent great deal of time and attention into keeping all participants safe in the age of COVID-19 and are committed to refining all logistics and experiences each year to protect the integrity of the program and the value it brings to those involved.

The Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy is a new experiential learning program targeted to tourism professionals seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy. An advisory committee of tourism industry representatives helped shape the development of the program through a shared vision of cultivating stronger champions for Oregon's tourism industry. The program consists of four multi-day excursions to be completed over the course of a year.

ORLA has been intentional in its pursuit of activating industry champions and the OTLA program supports that goal. The academy provides a compounding benefit of bringing people together for learning through experiences and empowering them to make lasting contributions to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Participants will create lifelong relationships and networking pathways through their connections.

For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit OregonRLA.org/OTLA.

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The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 10,220 foodservice locations and 2,000 lodging establishments with a workforce of 183,191, and a total economic impact of $13.8 billion in annual sales for Oregon. 

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Travel Oregon launches industry stakeholder survey

10/8/2020

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Picture
As work begins on developing a new strategic plan that is responsive to Oregon’s ever-dynamic tourism economy, Travel Oregon and the state’s seven official regional destination management organizations have launched a survey to seek input from communities, local businesses and individuals that drive the state’s tourism economy.

Information collected through the survey will help Travel Oregon and regional partners set strategic direction, make funding and programmatic decisions in marketing, grants, tourism-related infrastructure, visitor management, and more.

​Respondents can expect to answer questions related to what they currently experiencing as a result of wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest, and what they and their communities need most to rebuild and support a strong, resilient and racially just Oregon tourism economy.

​Please expect the survey to take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please make sure before you begin that you have ample time to complete it from start to finish. The survey period closes October 30, 2020 at 5 p.m.

TAKE SURVEY
Need assistance with this survey or have questions? Please email Industry@TravelOregon.com.
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Oregon Strong – Wildfire Response

9/15/2020

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picture of wildfire
The word of the year is “unprecedented.” In our lifetimes, we have never seen such devastation – lives, property, and businesses lost to circumstances outside of our control.

What is incredible is how many of you have responded. You saw the need and rose to the occasion, offering lodging for people who have lost everything, free meals for the community, and hope for the future. There is a reason Oregon is known for its hospitality, and it’s on full display in the most challenging of times for our industry. Thank you! We couldn’t be more proud of our community’s spirit and resolve. 

Because we know how challenging circumstances are right now, here is some information you need to know in response to Oregon’s wildfires. 

Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Please be aware of current policies from your regional utilities. Both Portland General Electric and Pacific Power have indicated they will continue with policies to cut power in extreme conditions. Pacific Power has a monitor to check for potential areas affected by this policy. Portland General Electric has enacted shutoffs in response to the conditions near Mt. Hood; read more on the PGE FAQ.

Utilities are generally looking at several factors before making this decision and are committing to proactive communication. The Pacific Power criteria includes:
  • Dry trees and brush and other potential wildfire fuel
  • High, sustained winds
  • Extremely low humidity
  • Current and forecasted weather conditions from multiple third parties and our own weather stations 
  • Population density
  • Real-time observation from on-the-ground experts
  • Input from local public safety and health agencies

Be sure to have a plan in place for such emergency conditions. Contact your local health authority for more information on what they would require for maintaining operations in an emergency. Feel free to contact your Membership Representative with questions or to connect with others who have explored this subject.

How Can I Help?
Please visit Travel Oregon’s Ways To Help During Oregon Wildfires, a guide for where to donate money, supplies, and volunteer time. 

To get the latest updates and links to safety registries, mental health resources, current condition reports, and more, visit Wildfire.oregon.gov. If you are looking for hotels offering discounts for fire evacuees in the valley, visit Travel Portland's resource page.

Nicole Peterson
ORLA Government Affairs Coordinator

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Portland Businesses, Hotels Rally for Downtown Cleanup Event

9/3/2020

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​Update Sept. 4: Over 500 volunteers participated in the cleanup event and 3,290 pounds of trash out were removed out of downtown Portland! Many thanks to all the volunteers from Portland hotels, the Portland Lodging Alliance, Portland Business Alliance, and ORLA staff for their efforts. Some of the news coverage:
  • Hundreds of volunteers clean up downtown Portland (KGW 8)
  • Mayor Wheeler, hundreds of volunteers clean up downtown Portland streets and sidewalks (Fox 12)
  • Portland businesses host clean-up event downtown to encourage visiting the area (OPB)

Portland, Aug. 27 - SOLVE, Portland Business Alliance, Portland Lodging Alliance, and others are rallying together to host a cleanup of Downtown Portland on September 3. This event open to the public for anyone who is interested in volunteering for the cleanup effort. Register here.

SOLVE has hosted several cleanups downtown since June, supporting hundreds of Portlanders who have wanted to care for their community through volunteer litter cleanup. The purpose of the September 3 Downtown Portland Cleanup is to send a clear message to the Portland community that the Portland business district is an open, safe, and clean place to visit, while inviting the community to join the effort.

“As the challenges in Portland continue to impact businesses, I think we all have a responsibility” explains George Schweitzer, Chairman for the Portland Lodging Alliance and Managing Director of The Benson Hotel. “This is an important event for businesses to come together, along with the Portland community at large, to show that we are a strong and resilient city, and that we can come together to restore our vibrant streets so that people can feel safe to explore and help our businesses thrive.”

Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE echoes his sentiments stating, “SOLVE prides itself on offering a safe space for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in their community. A volunteer litter cleanup brings everyone together because it is a simple activity that all can support. At the end of the day, it’s about caring for the place we call home.”

The event will begin at multiple locations throughout downtown, to accommodate the need for social distancing during volunteer check-in, while also allowing for the maximum amount of interested volunteers to participate given group gathering restrictions. The event will follow all SOLVE’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines including requiring participants to wear a face covering, maintain a minimum of six feet of distance, and only providing sanitized cleanup equipment to volunteers, among other measures.

Volunteers will focus on removing large items of litter and debris, while also focusing on picking up cigarette butts that often end up in storm drains and pollute the nearby Willamette River and other waterways. Community members who would like to get involved in the volunteer event should visit solveoregon.org to pre-register.

SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

The Portland Business Alliance is greater Portland’s Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region. Our vision is a healthy and resilient business ecosystem. Visit PortlandAlliance.com for more information.


The Portland Lodging Alliance is a volunteer-led sub-chapter of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). Members of ORLA's staff will be participating in this event alongside the Portland Lodging Alliance in support of the lodging industry and improving the downtown environment.

​

Contact: Larissa Gordon, 860-942-9108, larissa@solveoregon.org Contact: Larissa Gordon
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Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy Participants Embark on Experiences of a Lifetime

7/8/2020

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OTLA logo
ORLA Announces Inaugural Participants for New Experiential Learning Program

Wilsonville, OR – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is excited to announce the 2020 participants for the inaugural Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA). Participants begin their first multi-day program experience in Central Oregon, July 22-24. Recruits will go beyond the walls of their businesses to gain in-depth experiences and knowledge that will elevate their passion and excitement for our state’s extraordinary offerings. 

“We believe we are embarking on a leadership experience which will prove to be transformative for program participants,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “The academy will bring lasting personal and professional benefits to those who participate.” 

Developed in partnership with Travel Oregon and the Oregon Destination Association, this new experiential learning program is targeted to tourism professionals seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy. An advisory committee of tourism industry representatives helped shape the development of the program through a shared vision of cultivating stronger champions for Oregon's tourism industry. The program consists of four multi-day excursions to be completed over the course of a year. The 2020 program will take place in Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, the North Oregon Coast and the Willamette Valley in the Spring of 2021. Experiences for the second-year class starting in the Summer of 2021 will include visits to Eastern Oregon, the Columbia Gorge, Portland Region, and Oregon’s Mid-Coast Range.

ORLA has been intentional in its pursuit of activating industry champions and the OTLA program supports that goal. The academy provides a compounding benefit of bringing people together for learning through experiences and empowering them to make lasting contributions to Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Participants will create lifelong relationships and networking pathways through their connections.

Participants of the 2020 Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy:
  • Heather Anderson, Tourism Professional
  • Justin Aufdermauer, Tillamook Chamber of Commerce
  • Mackenzie Ballard, Visit Central Oregon
  • Ashley Cates, Travel Medford
  • Kristen Dollarhide, Travel Pendleton
  • Terri Ferguson, Escape Lodging LLC
  • Beverly Garcia, FivePine Lodge
  • Ken Henson, Pelican Brewing/Kiwanda Hospitality
  • Calvin LeSueur, City of Canby
  • Matt Maletis, The M. Maletis Co., OLCC
  • Wela Negelspach, Columbia County Economic Team
  • Samara Phelps, Clackamas County Tourism
  • Wendy Popkin, Oregon Hospitality Foundation 
  • Arica Sears, Oregon Coast Visitors Association
  • Dawnielle Tehama, Willamette Valley Visitors Association
  • Liz Wan, VinoVerse Consultants
  • Matthew Weintraub, City of Oregon City

For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit OregonRLA.org/OTLA.

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The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 10,220 foodservice locations and 2,000 lodging establishments with a workforce of 183,191, and a total economic impact of $13.8 billion in annual sales for Oregon. 

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Oregon Hospitality Foundation's Takeout & A Movie Event Presents Bicycle Adventure Shorts from the Filmed By Bike Festival

7/8/2020

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Takeout imageHelp promote the event by sharing in your social media channels!
Event proceeds benefit the Cycle Oregon Fund which provides grants to Oregon’s tourism-dependent rural communities struggling during the pandemic

PORTLAND, Oregon – July 8, 2020 – The next Takeout & A Movie event, hosted by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF), will feature an interactive livestream YouTube event with bicycle adventure films from Filmed by Bike, an Oregon-produced film festival on Sunday, July 26 from 6-8 p.m. This adventure-packed movie night will take arm-chair travelers and bike enthusiasts to the far-reaching edges of the globe as international filmmakers document cyclists exploring the rugged open road. Event proceeds will benefit the Cycle Oregon Fund, which provides grants to Oregon’s rural tourism-dependent communities that are struggling during the pandemic and the Oregon Hospitality Help Fund, which supports the training and philanthropic relief needs of Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“The pandemic has postponed many larger outdoor events in Oregon, like Cycle Oregon, and we need to do what we can to support the hospitality businesses in rural communities that depend on tourism dollars,” said Steve Schulz, Executive Director of Cycle Oregon. “Our partnership with OHF and Filmed by Bike shows just how strong we can be when we collaborate on a community-based solution.”

TAKEOUT & A MOVIE Event Details
  • DATE: Sunday, July 26 from 6-8 p.m. PST (or watch anytime on your own schedule)
  • WHERE: Online – an interactive YouTube livestream event followed by a Q&A with organizers and filmmakers
  • PRICE: $10 
  • BUY TICKETS: Bitly.com/TakeOutAndAMovie

The Filmed by Bike team has gathered some of their favorite Oregon cycling routes and encourages you to explore the state by two wheels and support the restaurants, hotels and attractions that have been deeply impacted by the pandemic.

BUY TICKETS
“Our first Takeout & A Movie event in May raised enough money for our restaurant grant recipients to fund an additional 11,500 meals to help feed people in need in communities across Oregon,” said Wendy Popkin, Executive Director of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. “Now, we are focused on raising awareness of the pandemic’s effect on travel and its impact to Oregon’s rural communities by partnering with Cycle Oregon. Enjoy a ride or hike during the day, order takeout from your favorite restaurant, and then tune in to experience exciting adventure films from your own living room.”

About Oregon Hospitality Foundation
The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) was established in 1992 and is a nonprofit 501c3 that supports the charitable relief needs and ongoing educational and training requirements of Oregon’s Hospitality industry. OHF’s partners include restaurants, lodging, attractions, and other tourism businesses and organizations throughout Oregon. Recently, OHF created the Oregon Hospitality Help Fund as an emergency relief fund to raise money for its hospitality partners whose businesses and employees are struggling during the pandemic. For more information about supporting our work with a donation or sponsorship, please visit www.oregonhospitalityfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Cycle Oregon
Cycle Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling. For riders who want an unparalleled Oregon bicycle experience at their own pace, Cycle Oregon hosts a series of fully supported rides that offer a unique perspective of the state, all the while managing every last detail. Proceeds from events go to the Cycle Oregon Fund, which to date has resulted in 325 grant awards totalling over $2.3 MM for Oregon communities. For more information, please visit www.cycleoregon.com.

About Filmed by Bike Festival
Filmed by Bike was founded in 2003 by Ayleen Crotty as a Portland film festival to celebrate the local cycling and filmmaking community. This year, the festival celebrates its 18th year with a successful touring film program as well as a weekend-long interactive YouTube Livestream event in September. For more information please visit www.filmedbybike.org.

Media Contact:
Lisa Hill, lisa@lisahillpr.com, (503) 730-8055
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ORLA Seeks Clarity from Governor’s Office on Behalf of Oregon's Lodging Industry

5/20/2020

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Oregon Capitol
Oregon’s lodging industry continues to reel from the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Following the Governor's announcement last week on the prohibition of large gatherings through the end of September, ORLA sent a letter to the Governor's Office seeking clarity so we can do our best to plan for changes in travel demand over the coming months. Read letter.

Local governments in many ways are direct partners of lodging establishments across Oregon. There is a direct correlation between the detrimental economic impacts felt by the lodging sector and the loss of revenue relied upon in normal times for cities and counties to balance their fiscal year budgets.

Given the cascading impact on both the public and private sectors, ORLA is asking for additional clarity and guidance on the following travel related topics:
  • Communication specific to Leisure Travel - Although no statewide order exists banning the operation of lodging facilities, it remains unclear what path lies ahead for responsible leisure travel amongst Oregonians. 
  • Creating a path for meeting room usage outside of Large Venue designations - Lodging operators throughout the state are working to implement appropriate physical distancing procedures within their meeting spaces to bring some business back online at a time of desperate need. Statewide affirmation from the Governor’s office confirming the use of meeting spaces in line with approved Oregon Health Authority “Employer Guidance” procedures and limitations on gathering size would provide much needed clarity for operators.

Together we can accomplish a great deal in providing uniform communication for Oregonians seeking safety and guidance as they embrace a new normal focused on societal responsibility.

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ORLA Board Votes to Support Governor’s Tourism Bill

12/9/2019

 
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.

Industry Launches New Oregon Leadership Program for Tourism Professionals

9/12/2019

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OTLA
ORLA proudly announces the launch of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA), developed in partnership with the Oregon Destination Association and Travel Oregon, and led by the industry’s top experts. The new annual experiential learning program is targeted to public and private sector tourism professionals who are seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills, continue to grow their career accomplishments, and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy and its success. 

“We believe we are embarking on a leadership experience which will prove to be transformative for program participants,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “The academy will bring lasting personal and professional benefits to those who participate.” 

Curriculum, field visits, and hands-on experiences are strategically designed to support and align with the state’s tourism goals and objectives which include four Strategic Imperatives:
  1. Optimizing the Statewide Economic Impact of Tourism in Oregon
  2. Supporting and Empowering Oregon’s Tourism Industry
  3. Championing the Value of Tourism
  4. Running Effective Tourism Oriented Organizations and Businesses

The OTLA experience is designed for professionals currently serving Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Interested program participants should have supervisory, managerial, or executive responsibilities in either the private or public sector. Applications from industry professionals who will soon be responsible for similar levels of responsibility are also encouraged to apply for the academy program.
 
The strategic imperatives outlined above will serve as the program’s core themes each year. Each theme will receive focus as a part of four multi-day experiential learning programs designed to provide academy participants with comprehensive educational experiences. Each year, 20 academy participants will immerse themselves in the academy’s professional development curriculum alongside industry experts and facilitators.

For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit www.Oregonrla.org/OTLA.

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