Bed and Breakfast Member Benefits

BED AND BREAKFAST MEMBER APPLICATION
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The popular adage "there is strength in numbers" is particularly true in an industry like ours where our voice in the political process and ability to offer quality cost-saving programs is based on the number of members and the quality of our membership roster.

The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association continually strives to secure partnerships with member companies who can pass valuable cost-savings programs on to you. The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to offer the following member benefits:

Marketing and Publications

Bed and Breakfast Guide: As a Member of the Bed and Breakfast Council, your complimentary listing in this annual publication reaches over 150,000 traveling consumers. The Bed and Breakfast Guide is distributed through 1-800-BUCKEYE, Travel Information Centers (TIC's), travel agents, group tour operators and meeting planners. The Bed and Breakfast Guide is the official B&B guide for the state of Ohio. To join or learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Guide, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

Purchasing Directory: This annual publication is a comprehensive guide of lodging suppliers and consultants who may offer OH&LA members discounts on products and services. The Purchasing Directory is an essential resource for lodging property operators when making purchasing decisions. To join or learn more about the OH&LA's Purchasing Directory, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

OH&LA Reservation Service: Capture the growing Internet market by promoting your property via the World Wide Web to take reservations on-line. This service is linked directly to the www.ohiotourism.com web site and as a member, could be linked directly to your property's web site. You are given complete control over your property's content, rate and inventory. There are no sign-up or monthly fees. You pay a low transaction fee for each reservation. To join or learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Council's Reservation Service, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

ohiolodging magazine: ohiolodging is OH&LA's quarterly newsletter that keeps you informed of key legislative issues, training opportunities, industry trends and more. Each quarter, Hotel & Lodging property members have the opportunity to be featured in our Active Spotlight - one full page in our newsletter to promote your property. Allied Members (lodging suppliers and consultants) may take advantage of the Allied Spotlight - one full page to advertise your products or services to our readership. Advertising opportunities - OHLA offers discounted rates to members purchasing multiple ads. ohiolodging reaches over 1100 industry decision-makers around Ohio each quarter. For advertising information please contact Matt MacLaren, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462.

Governmental Affairs

Legislative Initiative: OH&LA is an advocate for Ohio hoteliers and innkeepers regarding all legislative and regulatory issues affecting the lodging industry. Politicians, state agencies and government officials make decisions that have a significant affect on your business regarding property taxes, bed tax allocation, tourism funding and more. Without representation from OH&LA, many of these decisions would be made without your input. OH&LA has an in-house lobbyist who monitors state and local legislation to protect the interests of Ohio's lodging industry. Every lodging property in Ohio is affected by local and state legislation, and OH&LA works tirelessly to ensure that our smallest members are represented equally with those of our largest members. In addition to providing legislative representation, OH&LA's Public Affairs Director can help you answer important questions about Ohio laws such as ADA regulations, tax issues, fire codes and more. Contact Matt MacLaren at (614) 461-6462.

Legal Support: In addition to the staff of OH&LA and the lobbying agent, legal counsel at Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn offer assistance with questions regarding legal issues. OH&LA offers a specially designed "Innkeeper's Management Guide" which is a reference tool aimed at answering legal and tax questions for owners/managers. Contact Pete Wade at (614) 462-2276.

Insurance Programs

Workers' Compensation Group Rated Program: Administered by CCI (Compensation Consultants, Inc.), over 150 OH&LA members are enrolled in the group-rated plan and save 51%-90% on their workers' comp plan. Contact Dawn Lord at (800) 837-3200 ext. 7197.

Property and Casualty Insurance: The Bowers Insurance Agency will work closely with you to individualize a property and casualty package to offer you the best coverage for your business. Contact Ben Bowers at (800) 837-6146.

Health Insurance Discount: CCI offers two health insurance programs to OH&LA members only. Both programs allow your business to customize a plan for your employees. Several other allied members offer dental and supplemental life programs for OH&LA members. Contact Brian Waterhouse at (800) 375-4852.

Part-time Employee Benefits: Benepart, Inc. can help you to reduce turnover, attract quality employees, retain excellent employees and increase the overall value of your benefits package by offering low-cost benefits to your part-time employees at no cost to you. Medical/Dental/Vision/Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance are available to members' part-time employees through enrollment in Benepart's payroll deduction. There is no charge to the employer for using this service. Contact Tera Meyer-Robson at (800) 649-6186.

Educational Resources
Training Seminars: OH&LA offers seminars throughout the year to help train your staff to provide the best customer service to your guests. Seminar topics include front desk training, safety and security, safe food handling, serving alcohol responsibly and revenue management. To join or learn more about the OH&LA's Training Seminars, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

Education Institute Library: OH&LA has an in-house library including many training materials from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. You may borrow items or view them in our office. The collection includes video, CD ROM and workbook-based training materials. To join or learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Council's Educational Library, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

Education and Training Fund: This fund is designed to provide financial assistance to employees of OH&LA member hotel/motel properties who are pursuing a career in the hospitality industry or are enrolled in classes or seminars that benefit their current job performance. To join or learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Council's Education and Training Fund, call (800) 589-6462 or (614) 461-6462 and ask for our Membership Department.

Special Discount Programs

Electricity & Natural Gas: Due to deregulation, your property can now buy its electricity and natural gas directly from a supplier. OHLA has teamed up with Tharaldson Energy Group to develop an electricity and natural gas purchasing pool that is unrivaled in the state. For more information on how you can save on your bottom line, please contact Mike Seminary, Tharaldson Energy Group, at (800) 486-1207.

Credit Card Processing: You can benefit with discounts that include electronic draft capture, check verification and various other programs designed for the lodging industry. Contact Dan Kozminski, Heartland Payment Systems, at (440) 498-4660.

UPS Overnight: You can save up to 35% over other overnight services through UPS. Savings include 10% off Next Day Air packages and 20% off Worldwide express. Contact Lauren Goldasich at (614) 278-3003, ext. 8011 .

Association Members Only (AMO): Buy your office supplies at discount prices and have them delivered free by the next business day. Great savings and convenience can be yours by using this service. Contact Susan Haller, Association Members Only, at (219) 424-3565. www.dswebengine.com/amo  www.ohiolodging.com (800) 589-6462

NextLink/XO Long Distance & Local Phone Savings: This telephone service program can save you money on local, long-distance and toll-free services as well as Internet service. Contact Nextlink/XO Communications at (800) 344-8100.

American Express Free Internet Service: Put the power, convenience and speed of the Internet to work for you business with American Express' Free Merchant Internet Access. This platform connects over the AT&T Global Platform with access to hundreds of local dial up numbers. You property can also utilize exclusive e-commerce tools and manage your American Express Merchant Account quickly and easily on-line. In addition your free email link guarantees you five email boxes with unique addresses and 5MB of storage space each. For more information how you can surf the web for free, please contact Amy Schneider, American Express, at (800) 706-9791.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance: Protect yourself and your property from lawsuits by employees, as well as prospective, future and past employees with regard to accusation of sexual harassment, wrongful termination or discrimination. For more information on how to better protect your property, contact Robb Imbus and/or Linda Dowling with Palmer and Cay at (800) 476-2256.