Addressing Future Elected Leaders: Portland Events and Tourism
ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs, Greg Astley, recently joined Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon and Christina Fuller of Fuller Events on a panel discussing the importance of the hospitality and tourism industry to 35+ Portland City Council candidates. The event was a joint effort with United for Portland to help educate candidates running for Portland City Council. The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A from the candidates and wrapped up with a social meet and greet. Many, if not most, candidates in the room are very probable to be elected leaders for the city and last night’s discussion provided a glimpse into the impacts and importance of a thriving hospitality industry and the challenges our industry hopes to overcome in Portland. Watch the full news story here.

Portland Lodging Alliance (PLA) and Portland Kitchen Cabinet (PKC) Meeting Updates
PLA and PKC convened on September 16 with Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan as our guest. Commissioner Ryan spoke to the group about the importance of the upcoming election and how important it will be to elect people who are willing to get things done and who have a willingness to work together and make progress in the city. Commissioner Ryan encouraged members to show up at county and city meetings to share stories and testify to help advocate for policy that will uplift the community. At the meeting, United for Portland’s Executive Director Doug Moore also shared an overview of the upcoming election, polling and what is expected in the months leading up. PLA and PKC are starting the process to find new volunteer leaders to step in and help facilitate meetings, shape agendas with minimal time commitment. Interested? Please email Makenzie Marineau.

Travel Portland Stakeholder Meetings
As the hospitality community wraps up a successful summer season, Travel Portland is excited to convene a series of stakeholder meetings to update you on the organization’s latest efforts, outline new initiatives and solicit feedback.
Join Travel Portland and other partners on one of the following dates:

• Oct. 9 from 3-4 p.m. at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
• Oct. 14 from 3-4 p.m. at the Hilton Portland Downtown

 To RSVP, click here.

Weigh In: Oregon Building Performance Standards
The Energy Performance Standard policy for commercial buildings addresses energy use and emissions from existing commercial buildings. The latest proposed rules don’t take the hotel and restaurant industry into consideration, resulting in concerns with existing infrastructure, piping and appliances, and retrofitting older buildings. The Oregon Department of Energy requests stakeholders’ input on the draft rules; share your comments virtually through the end of October. To stay informed of program updates, sign up for the Oregon BPS distribution list.

Future of Keller Auditorium to be Made this Fall
Portland City Council is delaying a final decision on the future of the Keller Auditorium to October and directing two groups to work together to create a plan to upgrade the aging performing arts venue. Portland State University put forward a plan to build a new, similar-size venue near the university and Halprin Landscape Conservancy has proposed to renovate the auditorium at its existing site. Last Wednesday, the council passed a resolution directing city staff to work with PSU and Halprin to “seek a collaborative solution that combines their respective projects.” The combined proposal from PSU and Halprin is due to the city council by October 9.

Business Safety and Continuity During Civil Unrest
As a follow up to the ‘Safety Summit in an Election Year’ held earlier this year, Portland Downtown Clean & Safe has partnered with the Professional Security Association of Oregon (PSAO) to host a free two-hour resource seminar. The event aimed to help businesses how to best prepare for civil unrest and potential property damage, how to build a communication plan for your staff and patrons, and how to connect with existing public safety networks and the City of Portland. Contact [email protected] for more information on the resources available.

Upcoming ORLA Portland events
The Portland Lodging Alliance and Portland Kitchen Cabinet will meet October 16 with guest presentations from Travel Portland and the City of Portland’s Portland Solutions. Stay tuned for more information on a Meet and Greet with Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read in October.

Heart of House Tours
ORLA held its first of three Heart of House tours at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Convention Center. These tours are in partnership with our national affiliate, American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and give elected officials a behind the scenes look at what it takes to operate a hotel. Brian Lang, general manager of the Hyatt Regency along with Brad Gillespie, the director of operations, showed Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez and Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards’ Chief of Staff Eric Zimmerman (who is running for City Council) an intimate tour giving them the opportunity to ask questions and have conversations with staff along the way. Upcoming tours will be held at The Bidwell, University Place, and Convention Center.

Keller Project Proposals
City officials have warned for years that the Keller Auditorium will collapse—as would many other old buildings that aren’t seismically reinforced—in the event of the “Big One,” the 8.0-magnitude Cascadian subduction zone earthquake that’s expected to hit Oregon within the next 100 years. City officials last year began exploring how to ensure the Keller wouldn’t collapse. It’s exploring two concepts: renovate the existing Keller or build a new facility elsewhere in the city. At our March PLA/PKC meeting we heard from Portland State University (PSU) on their proposal for the Keller. There are currently three projects up for consideration by Portland City Council. They will likely be deciding in June about which project the city will move forward with. In short, here is each project up for decision:

• PSU is pitching to build a sprawling performing arts center in the South Park Blocks, outfitted with a 3,000-seat auditorium, a high-end hotel, classrooms, and a plaza. 
• Urban Renaissance Group and New York lender KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, want to incorporate a new Keller into a full-fledged redevelopment in the Lloyd District that would include housing, retail, and entertainment.
• Renovate the Keller and turn it into a state-of-the-art performance venue

Concerns have been brought forth by Broadway Across America that if the auditorium is renovated, the Keller’s operations would be put on hold for at least 18 months, leaving no place for Broadway shows in the city during that time. Broadway Across America has asked the city when considering proposals to find a solution to closing operations completely. They suggest if it’s a new performing arts center than continue to bring audiences to the Keller until the new building is open, or if a renovation is the path forward the city should strongly consider phasing their renovations to allow for several abbreviated Broadway seasons.

May Election
Big leadership changes are coming to Multnomah County as four of its five commission seats will be up for grabs next month. The outcomes of those races are likely to impact crucial decisions in the coming months and years, including choices about the county’s Preschool for All program, homeless services spending, and funding for prosecutors and jails. Jessie Burke, hospitality industry member and owner of the Society Hotel is running for District 2 county commissioner seat against Sam Adams who is a former mayor of the city of Portland and Shannon Singleton who is the former interim director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services. Jessie Burke also sits as the board chair of the Old Town Community Association.

The 3rd Congressional District in Oregon will have a spot to fill when Rep. Earl Blumenauer retires later this year. Candidates hoping to take Blumenauer’s place include physician and State Rep. Maxine Dexter, former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales, and businessman Michael Jonas. The May election will determine who will be running against the Republican candidate in November. Watch last Thursday morning’s debate forum here.

TriMet Safety Strategy Discussion
After the devastating loss of an industry worker earlier this month commuting home from work on the MAX train, ORLA engaged in conversations with TriMet leadership around concerns of safety. Following the tragic news there has been an outcry from other staff members voicing their fears of riding public transportation. ORLA is currently working to find a date and time to meet with TriMet about their Vision 2030 ridership strategies and various other TriMet safety initiatives. 

ORLA Regional Meeting in Portland
Join us for ORLA’s upcoming Regional Meeting April 23 from 2:30-4PM at Jupiter NEXT for an opportunity to engage in important conversations as we start to plan our legislative framework for the 2025 session. It's critical that we know what challenges our members are facing so we can educate our elected officials on how potential legislation can impact our businesses. ORLA members are encouraged to participate in discussions on legislative priorities, local advocacy, and workforce development. 

The tentative agenda follows:

• Introductions around the room to hear from members on top of mind issues
• Legislative recap, national updates, and open discussion on local and regional issues
• Open discussion on what members want to see in the 2025 Legislative Session
• Reminders on member engagement programs and workforce development efforts

RSVP for the Portland Regional Meeting and join us for a light reception hosted by ORLA immediately following!