ORLA Update - May 5, 2023

ProStart Students on Capitol Hill / Legislative Updates / Industry Workshops / Cinco de Mayo

Oregon Represented at National Competition: The National ProStart Invitational wrapped up last night after two days of heated competition among 400 high school students representing 92 teams from 46 states. As Oregon state champions, Crook County and McMinnville high school teams traveled to Washington D.C. this week to compete in the culinary and management competitions, respectively. Oregon Hospitality Foundation's Courtney Smith traveled with the teams as host and to provide support at the events. Following the competition, students on McMinnville's management team met with Senator Jeff Merkley on Capitol Hill to share their restaurant concept and convey how valuable the ProStart program has been in providing training and career exploration in the hospitality industry. Way to go Oregon!

Legislative Bill Deadline: Today is the Post Work Session deadline for all legislative bills. In order for a bill to be heard in committee by second chamber deadline (May 19), it has to be posted on an agenda for work session by May 5. However, this does not apply to Rules, Revenue, or Joint Committees. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee continues to meet via Zoom every Friday for discussion and updates on legislative activity. If you are interested in joining, please sign up and we'll connect with you before next week's call. You can find the latest bill tracking on our website.

"How I got Started in the Hospitality Industry:" Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) Board member Paul Paz met with culinary students at Salem's CTEC (Career Technical Education Center) to facilitate a hospitality workshop and presentations earlier this week. Management and staff from the Salem Convention Center and Bentley's Grill participated by sharing their career stories and OHF's Lupe Arellano was was on hand to talk about career opportunities within the hospitality industry. This was part of the CTEC Salem-Keizer Learning that WORKS program that helps "prepare high school students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation."

Whiskey Lovers Take Note: Ticket sales for ORLA's annual Swig & Savor Whiskey Event went on sale today for the August 26 event at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. Purchase your tickets now and join distillers, master blenders and other enthusiasts to taste a multitude of special whisk(e)y pours from around the world, curated into one spectacular night.

National Small Business Week: Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, released the following statement today marking National Small Business Week: “Six in ten hotels are small businesses, and National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the tremendous opportunities hotels are creating for employees and other small companies to grow and thrive,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Hotels support millions of good-paying jobs and generate billions in state and local tax revenue in communities across the nation. To continue doing so, we’re looking to hire more than 100,000 people around the country. With average hotel wages at near-record levels, better benefits than ever before, and unprecedented opportunity to move up the ranks, there’s never been a better time to start a hotel career.”
 
Background Info:

• There are currently more than 110,000 open hotel jobs nationally, according to Indeed
• National average hotel wages for March 2023 were more than $23 per hour – among the highest they’ve ever been. (Source: BLS, accessed 5/5/23) 
• Average hotel wages (+24%) have risen faster than average wages throughout the general economy (+16%) since the pandemic. (Source: BLS and https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CES0500000003, 2/2020-3/2023, accessed 5/5/23) 
• Hotel-generated state and local tax revenue is projected to reach new heights nationally ($46.71 billion) and in states across the nation this year.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Oregon’s Largest Multicultural Festival is back with the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA) and Treadway Events' 36th annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 5-7th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. The PGSCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships and fostering goodwill between the City of Portland, and the City of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, since 1983. 

---

---

ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research. ​Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.