Complete Story
02/08/2024
OHLA: February eNewsletter
In this Issue...
- February Is Black History Month
- Thank You For Attending The 2024 Hotel Games!
- Government Affairs Update
- ODH Offering Free PPE!
- ODH is offering non-sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) to you at no charge!
- Upcoming Events
- Allied Council Corner
- 2024 Allied Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
- NOW LIVE! Greenluxe Sustainable Hospitality Resource Center
- WILL CONNECT Updates
- The OHLA Women In Lodging Advisory Council Will Now Offer COFFEE Chats & Cocktail CONNECTions Quarterly!
- Education & Workforce Development Updates
- Whitehall-Yearling High School 2024 Career Fair
- OHLA Emerging Professionals
- SOAP Up For The Arnold Sports Festival
- Learn about the signs of human trafficking in our community on Feb. 7th!
- Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter
As February marks Black History Month, join us as we continue the necessary work and conversations needed to provide more opportunities, service, and outreach to more individuals in our industry. Today and every day we celebrate the diversity of our industry, African American hospitality leaders, businesses, and organizations. #ItStartsWithUs
Thank You To All Who Attended The 2024 Hotel Games!
We are sincerely grateful for your support in making our event a resounding success! Your energetic vibe and enthusiasm added an extra spark to the occasion!
On February 7, 14 teams came together to participate in the 2024 Columbus Hotel Games! Started in February of 2017, this event brings together our hospitality community to participate in an afternoon of friendly competition focused on the Travel & Tourism industry with fun yet competitive games that bring your teams together.
Reprising their roles as Co-Emcees for the games this year were Mason Zimmer & Jason Abady from the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Their tom-foolery and antics helped the team navigate the hospitality-related obstacles before them. These challenges included Human Ring Toss, Linen Shot Put, Roll Away Relay, Plunger Skiing Relay, Banquet Bash, and our favorite Columbus Trivia. This year’s competition was fiercer than ever, but here is who came out on top:
2024 Most Valuable Player – Caden Spradlin, Hotel LeVeque
2024 Most Valuable Supporter – Brit Coleman, Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus New Albany
2024 Best Team Leader – Kelsey Poock, Aloft, Residence Inn & Courtyard Easton
2024 Best Team Spirit – Ken Haynie, Red Roof
2024 Best Teamwork – Hyatt Regency Columbus
2024 Grand Champion – Hotel LeVeque
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor BMS CAT, represented by Brooke Miller and Erin Giancola! Thanks also go out to our supporting sponsors Ohio Textile, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Levy Restaurants, Mills James, and Smart City. These games only happen with your support!
Speaking of competition…
Have you saved the date for our 2024 OHLA Volleyball Tournament?
Our OHLA Charily Volleyball Tournament will be returning this spring on Saturday, May 11th - so MARK YOUR CALENDARS! We will be returning to Woodland's Backyard for a half-day tournament of fun & camaraderie among hotel properties and management groups. Online registration is set to open in March.
Want to secure your spot sooner? Contact michele@ohla.org with your team's information.
Government Affairs Update
OHLA Delegation Visits U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance's office for Joint Employer Issue
Member hotel owners joined OHLA's government affairs team last week to meet with senior staff for U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance to discuss the significant problems created by a new NLRB regulation that would make franchisors joint employers with franchisees in many instances. The new rule diverges significantly from the traditional joint employers standard only when they exert direct and immediate control over the essential terms and conditions of employment. It would destroy the franchise model by taking control away from franchise owners. OHLA is urging lawmakers to support two measures in Congress that would nullify the regulation.
OHLA Hosts First Legislative Reception
OHLA leaders and members joined with partners from the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters to host a reception for members of the Ohio General Assembly and members of their staff on Jan. 24. Numerous lawmakers attended and were able to visit the OHLA offices near the state capital, and discuss issues important to our industry and the travel economy. Working with OAPFF as "Partners in Safety," hoteliers also welcomed special guests including Chief Alan Smith from the State Divison of Fire Marshal, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, and representatives from other organizations with a presence in Ohio's Statehouse. Watch for more events and opportunities to connect the hotel community to our elected officials and other partners throughout the year.
Click here to view the full Government Affairs update.
ODH Offering Free PPE to Interested Stakeholders!
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is offering non-sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) to you at no charge. The PPE (gloves, masks, gowns, hand sanitizer, etc.) was purchased as part of Ohio‘s public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPE’s “use by” date will expire in time, and ODH wants to put it to good use by offering it to those who can use it now.
If you are interested, please click here to complete the order form.
Shipping options:
- If you have a FedEx or UPS account, ODH can use your account to ship your requested PPE items to your location.
- ODH can arrange for you to pick up your order at the ODH Warehouse located in the Columbus suburb of Groveport.
- If your facility is within 25 miles of the ODH Warehouse, ODH will deliver orders of 5 or more PPE cases.
If you have any questions about this PPE offer or shipping options, please contact the ODH Warehouse at RSS@odh.ohio.gov or 614-491-9013.
Upcoming Events
Emerging Professionals | Third Thursday Networking
February 15, 2024 | Columbus, Ohio
Greater Columbus Lodging Council Business Meeting
February 20, 2024 | 10:00 - 12:00 PM
Columbus Airport Marriott
2-minute survey! Allied Member Insights - What's your preference?
Annually, OHLA hosts an event where our Allied Members are the sole focus. OHLA & partners provide education on industry trends, development, Ohio market changes, new benefits, GM roundtable, and more. We've hosted this in person in the past, but we'd like to see what works best for you since our Allied Member Network spans the state.
Your feedback is critical to us!
Click here to complete the survey.
Opportunities are selling for 2024! Snag your favorite opportunities before they are gone!
New features include updated Annual Conference & Gala packages, additional exhibitor opportunities throughout the year, new opportunities for supporting education and workforce, innovation and technology initiatives, and more.
Schedule your 30-minute meeting today.
Would you be interested in joining the Allied Member Working Group?
Join other Allied members as part of our Membership Committee. Have a voice regarding events, education for Allied Members, and engagement throughout the year. If interested, email Lauren@ohla.org.
Did you miss the last Allied Member Quarterly? Click here to view.
NOW LIVE!
Sustainable Hospitality Resource Center powered by Greenluxe
OHLA is proud to partner with Greenluxe to help lodging professionals and asset owners integrate sustainable practices while producing an ROI, understand ESG reporting and its impact, empower sales leaders with an RFP toolbox, and more.
Are you already making eco-friendly choices?
Is your property already implementing sustainable practices? You can take the quiz below to see how your business ranks as an environmentally conscious brand.
Click here to take the quiz!
Stay tuned for updates & new offerings in 2024 from our partner, Greenluxe!
WIL CONNECT Updates
2024 OHLA’s Women in Lodging CONNECT
What to expect!
1) WIL Advisory Council Realignment
- The Advisory Council will formulate seats on the council by state regions to better serve OHLA members.
2) Planning for the Annual Statewide Women in Lodging Leadership Luncheon
- We are working on a new theme, Speaker, and some fun & excitement!
3) Options for giving to charity
- We will be choosing the WIL CONNECT activity for 2024.
4) The OHLA Women In Lodging Advisory Council Will Now Offer COFFEE Chats & Cocktail CONNECTions Quarterly!
In multiple regions/same day/same time, to reach more female leaders across the state.
- Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 - Cocktail CONNECTions, registration is to open soon.
- Cleveland: InterContinental Cleveland Hotel, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
- Columbus: The JUNTO, 3:30 - 6:00 pm
- Cincinnati: Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
- May 8th, 2024 - COFFEE Chats will bring out the Coffee Urns; watch your social media to learn which cities are participating!
5) WIL CONNECT Volleyball Team?
- More to Come! Practice Now!
6) OHLA Annual Conference & Gala Women in Lodging CONNECT Session
- The Annual Conference Committee will develop a theme for the conference that WIL CONNECT can relate to.
Sponsorship Opportunities can be found in the Allied Council Corner!
2024 ForWard Annual Conference
Education & Workforce Development Updates
Mark your Calendar & RSVP by February 16...
Whitehall-Yearling High School is hosting the 2024 Career Fair on Friday, March 1 from 1:00 - 3:30 pm.
If your company would like to attend, please contact Joyce Turnbull.
The OHLA Education & Workforce Development Committee will begin work on the newest piece for education funding to assist hotel employees in reaching their goals. The newly formed Ohio Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, 501 (c) (3), OHLEF.
2024 Hotel Summer Camp
Planning is underway for the inaugural Hotel Summer Camp for high school students on June 5-7, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus Downtown. This is our next step in educating those interested in the lodging and hospitality industry so they can learn in person and tour properties.
OHLA is working with AHLEI to offer the attending students the opportunity to take the Guest Service Gold Certification.
Ohio University Spring 2024 Career and Internship Fair
The OHIO Spring Career and Internship Fair
February 21
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Save the date for the Spring 2024 OHIO Career and Internship Fair!
Network with hundreds of Ohio University students during the bi-annual Career and Internship Fair. The Career Network offers a university-wide fair open to all industries during September and February of each year. Maximize your time and connect with students from all academic backgrounds.
OHLA Emerging Professionals
Encourage Your EPs To Attend!
EP Networking Third Thursday
February 15, 2024
8:30 – 9:30 am
Crimson Cup Clintonville
4541 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Join us for our 1st Third Thursday of the year! We will be connecting over coffee (or your favorite beverage) at Crimson Cup in Clintonville on February 15. Chat with like-minded emerging professionals!
Save your spot by emailing michele@ohla.org.
SOAP Up For The Arnold Sports Festival!
Join The Soap Project at the Church of Resurrection in New Albany on Saturday, February 7th, to learn about the signs of human trafficking in our community.
During the event, volunteers will stuff bags with labeled soaps, and makeup remover wipes with the national human trafficking hotline number, along with making folders for hotels and motels all around Central Ohio.
Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter
Suspect Fraud?
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation has a Special Investigations Department that investigates and analyzes fraud claims.
Click here to read the full article.
Housekeeping Safety
Safety is crucial for any organization. Keeping the workplace clean and organized throughout the day helps to prevent injuries caused by poor housekeeping practices. Discuss with employers how effective housekeeping procedures can reduce the risk of accidents, and emphasize that repetition is key to success.
Click here to read the full article.
Thank you to our Premier Partners for supporting the hotel & lodging industry!
Each month, we will highlight a few of our Premier Partners & demonstrate how they can help YOU with your daily operations! Do you have any questions about the services provided? Contact michele@ohla.org.
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