ORLA Update - October 11, 2023

Conference Recap / Grant Opportunities / Inspection Fees / Member Benefits

Conference Success!
ORLA wrapped up another successful Hospitality Conference with two full days of programming at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites. Over 250 industry members connected with peers, learned new best practices, and helped celebrate some of the outstanding members of our industry. In case you missed it, check out some of the visuals captured during the event as well as for our Awards program:

• Conference photo gallery
• Hospitality Industry Award videos
• Photo Booth by Here is Oregon Community Connections Team
• ORLA Hospitality Awards Dinner Program

Tillamook County Marketing and Facilities Grants Open October 1
Tillamook County businesses and organizations that could use financial support for marketing and/or facility improvements should look into the five Tillamook Coast Visitors Association grants opening October 1. To apply for TCVA’s facilities or marketing grants, or Manzanita’s marketing grant, visit www.tillamookcoast.com/grants. For more information on Rockaway’s marketing and facilities grants, go to www.visitrockawaybeach.org/grants. For additional questions, contact TCVA Finance and Grant Manager Marni Johnston at 503-842-2672, ext. 3. 

Multnomah County Inspection Fees: ORLA Takes Action
The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is monitoring a Multnomah County staff proposal to increase fees by 6% to recover the costs of administering county inspections and licensing of specific categories of food, pool and tourist/traveler facilities. ORLA Government Affairs Coordinator Makenzie shared the following update:

• The inspection programs fee increases wasn't heard at the October 5 meeting but will be heard at a later date.
• Commissioner Brimm-Edwards asked if they considered looking at the efficiencies of the programs given this fee increase is focused on cost recovery. She brought up that more public outreach should be done and that only three of five members of the Multnomah County Food Advisory Board were present when it was discussed and that concerns of higher costs of goods, vandalism, recovery, etc. were brought up. She is concerned how it's going to impact most if not all small restaurants.
• Commissioner Jayapal agreed that more public outreach should be done. They asked if staff could look into other ways to supplement the program.

ORLA is taking this issue very seriously and is urging members to get involved. This is a ripe opportunity for ORLA members in Multnomah County to get engaged. If you have questions or would like to stay in the know, reach out to Makenzie Marineau.

New Allied Partnerships to Benefit Members
ORLA Director of Business Development Marla McColly has been working behind the scenes to secure new Hospitality Partnerships for ORLA members this past month with GigSmart and Ubiquity. Visit our website for more information and the member benefit offers they have. In addition, SKECHERS Direct discount is outlined in their listing on our website found in the Buyer’s Guide / Coupons and Discounts (along with many other special deals!). This is just one way we can provide ROI for members and help them save money.

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