Call for nominations: WH&LA’s Stars of the Industry awards

June 22, 2017 in WH&LA Membership Updates | No comments

Who do you think are the best in Wisconsin’s lodging industry? Visit http://www.tfaforms.com/249235 to submit your nominations! Deadline for nominations is August 11, 2017. Questions? Contact Monica in the WH&LA office by email at  monica@wisconsinlodging.org or call 262/782-2851.  

Innkeeper of the Year
WH&LA recognizes the complete commitment to lodging excellence with this award, open to all WH&LA member property general managers or owner/operators, regardless of property size. One individual, one couple or one set of family members from the same property will be selected from all completed entries to receive WH&LA’s highest honor. Judging criteria include ongoing involvement in WH&LA and the lodging industry, commitment to both the profession & the community, personal and/or property achievements, general leadership abilities, and human resource skills.

Corporate Champion of the Year
This award is for key management of companies owning/operating multiple lodging properties in Wisconsin, with all of their Wisconsin properties in WH&LA membership. One individual will be selected from all completed entries by the Awards Committee to receive this prestigious honor. Judging criteria includes contributions to the company’s success in the lodging industry, personal or company recognition received, ongoing WH&LA involvement, and other industry or community involvement.

Associate of the Year
WH&LA honors a high degree of industry dedication & knowledge with this award, open to all current WH&LA associate members. One individual will be selected from all completed entries to receive WH&LA’s highest associate member honor. Judging criteria include a proven track record of exceptional commitment & service to the industry, ongoing participation in WH&LA, personal and/or company achievements and general leadership abilities.

Spirit of Hospitality Award
Is there someone very special working at your property who demonstrates the spirit of hospitality to your guests and to your staff? Only 12 WH&LA “Spirit of Hospitality” Awards will be given in 2017, making this achievement and recognition even more special to our winners! WH&LA’s Awards Committee will review all nominations remitted as required, review the description submitted on the Nomination Form on why they deserve this award, and will then  select the most deserving nominees to receive this year’s Award. WH&LA will then contact the person making the nomination to let them know if their nominee won, so that they may plan accordingly. Winners are not announced publicly until the Recognition Luncheon on November 6 at the Wisconsin Lodging Conference. Limit one entry per property.

Hero of Hospitality Award
The NEW hero of hospitality award was introduced to recognize employees who save a life or prevent serious injuries. The nominations committee established this award in 2017 to commend heroic acts performed by hospitality employees at Wisconsin Lodging properties. Any employee from a WH&LA property can submit a nomination on behalf of a colleague who performs a life-saving act, whether it’s clearing the airway of a choking victim or reporting a life-threatening security issue to authorities. Limit one entry per property.

NOMINATION RULES: All nominees must be employed by a current WH&LA member property. An official nomination form must be submitted for each nominee. All submitted materials become the property of WH&LA and will not be returned. In fairness to all candidates, no deadline extensions will be permitted.

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Search Smarter. Book Direct.

June 19, 2017 in AH&LA Information Resources, Scam Alert | No comments

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently launched an awareness campaign entitled “Search Smarter”  aimed at helping travelers avoid lost reservations, additional fees, and ruined vacations.

Americans make 500 online hotel bookings every 60 seconds, but evidence from new, extensive polling data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) suggests they’re not getting the deal they think they are. The two culprits are (1) online booking scams and (2) misleading marketing messages perpetrated by online travel agencies and their third-party affiliates.

Additional research reveals that online scams made through fraudulent sites are on the rise, resulting in 55 million “bad” bookings of this type each year, costing consumers $3.9 billion.  In 2015, just 6% of travelers reported booking on what they believed was a hotel’s official website, only to find they had booked on a fraudulent site not affiliated with the hotel. Just two years later, the number of travelers who have experienced this has nearly quadrupled to 22%. • Seniors in particular have major concerns about the lack of transparency in online booking – many of which are due to bad experiences. 1 in 10 consumers 65 or older say they have accidentally booked with a fake site when intending to book directly with a hotel.

AHLA Position

Transparency, consumer choice, and guest satisfaction are at the core of the hotel industry’s business model. AHLA is raising awareness among consumers, Congress, and federal agencies to make sure guests have all the necessary information prior to booking their hotel reservations. With so many ways to book a reservation, it’s important to make sure consumers understand how to slow down, search smarter and make the best decisions throughout the booking process for themselves and their families. Consumers should know what to look for before they book a hotel reservation.

Visit https://ahla.com/SearchSmarter to learn more about the “Search Smarter” campaign.

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Coalition to Repeal the Personal Property Tax

May 1, 2017 in Legislative & Regulatory Issues, Legislative Advisory | No comments

WH&LA has joined a coalition of over 40 business organizations seeking to repeal local personal property taxes, an annual municipal tax in many communities on business supplies & equipment that were already taxed when purchased, while also exploring methods to minimize the impact on current municipal budgets. Wisconsin is one of the only midwest states that still enables this tax.

The Personal Property Tax is an outmoded and unfair source of revenue in Wisconsin. Its origins pre-date both the income and sales tax, in the days when all property was taxed, and was the sole source of revenue for the government.

Today, the Personal Property Tax remains in effect on small businesses. With some industries completely exempted, and others still required to foot the bill, this is the very definition of government picking winners and losers in our economy, and the exact opposite of uniformity.

The PPT represents about 3% of the total of property taxes. By having that sum of cash returned to Main Street small businesses, our state’s economy could realize more job creation and increased reinvestment in the private sector. (http://www.wptonline.org/repeal-ppt)

 

 

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March STR data now available

April 28, 2017 in Smith Travel Data | No comments

Occupancy was up 5.5 percent in Wisconsin for March 2017. Nearly all market areas saw an increase in occupancy for the month, with the largest increase in Eau Claire/Menomonie. ADR was up 3.0 percent statewide for the month, with the largest increase in La Crosse.

View Smith Travel Data for your region for March 2017

This link is password protected for WH&LA Lodging Members only.

SOURCE: STR, INC. REPUBLICATION OR OTHER RE-USE OF THIS DATA WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Provided by STR. For detailed lodging performance data for your area, contact STR at 615-824-8664 ext. 3504, or info@str.com.

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Women in Lodging Leadership Luncheon

April 21, 2017 in Wisconsin Lodging Industry Events | No comments

 

DATE: Thursday, May 25th

TIME: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Registration opens at 12:15 PM)

LOCATION: Best Western Premier Park Hotel, Madison

PROGRAM: “Thinking and Acting like a Leader” presentation by Dr. Lalia Rach.

Established and emerging leaders share one great reality – Leadership is an ongoing activity. There is no end point rather it is a continual work in progress. The best leaders understand that the very act of leading is anchored by one’s path to maturity and self-actualization. Dr. Rach will share genuine ideas and uncommon sense tinged with her special brand of humor as she provides ideas for improving your leadership abilities.

COST: $28 per person
Speaker Profile:Dr. Lalia Rach

Dr. Rach is a successful entrepreneur, educator, and leader. A proven innovator, she specializes in assisting managers in advancing their leadership strategies.  Her fresh ideas and uncommon sense on issues of strategy and leadership in the hospitality industry produce insightful thinking advancing the ability of emerging and established executives.

As a professional speaker and experienced moderator, her messages stand above the rest for their relatable honesty and timely nature presented in a practical and entertaining manner.
About Wisconsin Women in Lodging

Mission: To promote and develop women in the hospitality industry to help them grow both personally and professionally through leadership, education, and networking support.

Benefits: Access to the AH&LA WIL searchable directory, invitations to education events with inspirational women speakers, and networking & mentoring opportunities.

Membership: Membership is free for anyone employed at a WH&LA member property. Men wishing to support the mission of WIL may also become a member at no cost, as long as their company is a WH&LA member.
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NEW LODGING MEMBER BENEFIT AVAILABLE TODAY!

April 21, 2017 in WH&LA Membership Features, WH&LA Membership Updates | No comments

HOW DO YOUR WAGES & BENEFITS MEASURE UP? SIGN UP FOR LOBBYLIGHTS & FIND OUT TODAY!

The WH&LA is excited to provide access to the premier lodging industry-specific compensation survey as a FREE MEMBER BENEFIT! LobbyLights allows you to create endless, current, personalized wage and compensation reports for FREE while your WH&LA membership remains active! 

What is it? 

Wage and compensation survey results that provide real-time, 24/7 access to the collected data from lodging properties nationwide available to you via survey participation.

Information Includes

  • Competitive Wages
  • Room Attendant Incentives
  • Employee Screening Policies
  • Medical, Dental & Health Benefits Provided
  • PTO & Sick Days Allowances
  • Certification Opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Other Provisions

How often can I view my results and how long is the viewing period?

Results are available online 24/7 from your LobbyLights account. Participation grows on a continual basis, so we encourage you to log in often to view the latest survey results. Create endless, current, personalized reports while your WH&LA membership remains active.

Who can see my property data?

Your property’s data is blind to every participant except you. Property specific indicators are removed to maintain anonymity and privacy. Review their privacy policy for more details.

How do I sign up?

Register by taking the steps in the email provided by WH&LA. If you still need the information please contact Monica at WH&LA.

Questions? Contact Monica at service@wisconsinlodging.org or call 262/782-2851

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February STR data now available

March 29, 2017 in Smith Travel Data | No comments

Occupancy was down 1.9 percent in Wisconsin for February 2017. A few market areas saw an increase in occupancy for the month, with the largest increase in Door County. ADR was up 1.0 percent statewide for the month, with the largest increase in Door County.

This link is password protected for WH&LA Lodging Members only.

SOURCE: STR, INC. REPUBLICATION OR OTHER RE-USE OF THIS DATA WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Provided by STR. For detailed lodging performance data for your area, contact STR at 615-824-8664 ext. 3504, or info@str.com.

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Call for entries!

March 29, 2017 in Marketing & Social Media, WH&LA Membership Features, WH&LA Membership Updates, Wisconsin Lodging Directory | No comments

2018 Wisconsin Lodging Directory Cover Contest

Showcase the excitement and beauty that Wisconsin lodging has to offer as the featured property on the cover of the 2018 Wisconsin Lodging Directory!

Gain exposure across the Midwest and beyond when your property graces the cover of 175,000 copies of this annual directory. The Wisconsin Lodging Directory Cover Contest allows properties to submit photos for judging, and compete in an online quest for the most votes from a group of 12 finalist photos. Engage your Twitter followers, Facebook fans, newsletter subscribers and loyal guests to help get out the vote!

THE CALL FOR ENTRIES ENDS - Friday, April 14 @ 11:59 pm CDT.

Details

WH&LA lodging member properties may submit up to two photos featuring indoor or outdoor locations at their Wisconsin lodging property. No identifying signage is allowed. Web-resolution photos may be submitted for judging, but a high-resolution, print-quality version must be available. No exceptions.

Photos must be e-mailed to Michelle in the WH&LA office by FRIDAY, APRIL 14 at 11:59 PM CDT. Photos received after the deadline will not be considered. Hard-copy photos may be mailed to the WH&LA office if digital copies are not available: Lodging Directory Cover Contest, 1025 S. Moorland Road, Ste. 200, Brookfield, WI 53005 and must be received by the deadline.

All photo entries will be submitted to a third-party for first-round judging, where 12 Cover Finalists will be chosen with no more than one finalist image from any one property. Each of the 12 member properties chosen as a Cover Finalists will be charged a $300 promotion fee for the added visibility outlined below. The past three years of cover contest winners (2017, 2016 and 2015) are not eligible to participate in the 2018 contest. No additional fees will be charged to the Cover Contest winner.     

Promotion  

The 12 Cover Finalists will each have a 2018 Lodging Directory cover designed and displayed at WisconsinLodging.org/covercontest from Wednesday, April 19 through Wednesday, May 17. The traveling public will be able to vote for their favorite cover on the page. Each finalist will also be featured in a special edition of the WisconsINN Getaways email newsletter in April, sent to more than 8,000 subscribers. Additionally, finalists will be promoted via WH&LA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the voting period, and finalists are encouraged to promote the contest through their own social media channels. The winner of the cover contest will be announced on Friday, May 26.

The Fine Print

By submitting photos to the Cover Contest, you are agreeing to pay the $300 promotional fee if you are selected as a finalist. WH&LA member property Cover Finalists will be notified and billed the $300 promotional fee on or around April 19, 2017. If payment is not received by May 17, 2017, the property’s image will be disqualified. The Cover Finalist that is chosen as winner must renew its WH&LA membership on or before June 30, 2017 (or on or before the date of membership-year expiration), to be eligible to be featured on the cover. The winner must also continue or expand its Lodging Directory advertising commitment from 2017. If a property wins the cover contest but chooses not to renew membership, it will be disqualified and the second-place finalist will be named the winner. WH&LA reserves the right to refuse any photo submission for any reason.

Questions? Contact Michelle in the WH&LA office via email at communication@wisconsinlodging.org or call 262/782-2851.

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March 2, 2017 in WH&LA Membership Features, WH&LA Membership Updates, WI Lodging Industry Educational Opportunities | No comments

You are invited to join Wisconsin Women In Lodging (WWIL), a female based organization which strives to provide resources, networking, and educational opportunities to advance the role of women in lodging and tourism.

Mission
To promote and develop in the hospitality industry to help them grow both personally and professionally through leadership, education, and networking support.

Benefits

  • Access to the AH&LA WIL searchable directory
  • Invitations to education events with inspirational women speakers
  • Networking & Mentoring Opportunities

Membership
Membership is free for anyone employed at a WH&LA member property.
Men wishing to support the mission of WIL may also become a member at no cost, as long as their company is a WH&LA member.
To make sure you are included in our database, please email Monica Bennett at service@wisconsinlodging.org
Register now!
https://www.tfaforms.com/277429

Events
WIL holds two annual events – in the Spring and Fall. Stay tuned for information on our upcoming events!

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January STR data now available

February 22, 2017 in Smith Travel Data | No comments

Occupancy was down 1.4 percent in Wisconsin for January 2017. About half of market areas saw an increase in occupancy for the month, with the largest increase in Door County. ADR was down 0.3 percent statewide for the month, with the largest increase in Milwaukee.

This link is password protected for WH&LA Lodging Members only.

SOURCE: STR, INC. REPUBLICATION OR OTHER RE-USE OF THIS DATA WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF STR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Provided by STR. For detailed lodging performance data for your area, contact STR at 615-824-8664 ext. 3504, or info@str.com.
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