July 2011

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Attention properties looking to donate used exercise equipment!

July 27, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

WH&LA received the following request from a Wisconsin-based, non-profit organization called Northwest Passage, which develops programs and services for children and adolescents who are struggling with mental illness and severe behavioral disorders:

Northwest Passage is trying to incorporate healthy living into our programming, and we’re hoping your lodging members can help. We are in need of any used fitness equipment that properties are ready to replace [or have already replaced], as we are creating fitness centers for the youths in our programs.

Other programming that Northwest Passage provides includes guidance, direction, individual and family counseling, social services, special education, adventure challenges, restitution and community service, vocational training and aftercare services.  Clients in the Northwest Passage programs participate in school, physical activities, life skills training, therapy and community service activities on a day-to-day basis and approximately 300 at-risk youths are served each year.

If your property can help, contact Lisa Hobbie of Northwest Passage by email or call 715/327-4402.

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Five Social Media Myths

July 25, 2011 in Marketing & Social Media | No comments

Article from frogloop.com, written by Allyson Kapin:

A new study by ComScore says that US Internet users spend 1 out of every 6 minutes online engaging with social networks.  This is a significant increase from 2007 when ComScore reported that Internet users spent 1 out of every 12 minutes online using social networks. As savvy marketers and nonprofit campaigners know, numbers can be sliced and diced. Unfortunately many of these studies never tell the entire story. For example, the latest ComScore study says “Facebook now reaches 73% of the total U.S. Internet population each month.”

As more marketers release their own social media studies and statistics, the more pressure organizations face to build and/or refine their own social media engagement. As you continue to plan and evaluate social media’s role in your organization, arm yourself with the right knowledge and memorize these five social media myths.

MYTH #1: A Facebook page can replace your website.

THAT IS THE WORST IDEA EVER, said Maggie McGarym, the Online Communications and Social Media Manager for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

“Lets be perfectly clear: while Facebook can certainly be useful as an outpost to your company’s website, it could not and should not ever replace it. Thinking Facebook could take the place of a company’s website is like saying your car is so great soon you can just live in it and get rid of your house,” said McGary.

The full text of this article from frogloop.com can be found here.

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June STR Data Now Available

July 21, 2011 in Smith Travel Data | No comments

Occupancy was up in Wisconsin in June 2011 compared to June 2010 and most market areas saw an increase in occupancy, with the largest increase in Green Bay MSA. ADR was also up statewide compared to June 2010, with the largest increase in Green Bay MSA.

To view Smith Travel Data for your region for June 2011, click here. (Password protected for lodging members only – e-mail Michelle in the WH&LA Office if you need help logging in.)

Data is provided by Smith Travel Research, an independent research firm founded in 1985. Smith Travel offers WH&LA members discounts on various STR reports and products. For more information, visit strglobal.com.

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WH&LA Capitol Insider: New Federal Crib Standards

July 20, 2011 in Legislative Advisory | No comments

Last December the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission passed a new crib standard that will go into effect for lodging properties on December 28, 2012. More details, including a link to the new CPSC Crib Standard Poster can be found at the link below.

Full text of this Capitol Insider can be found here by clicking the July 19 “New Federal Crib Standards” link. This link is password protected for lodging members only. Contact Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851 if you need help logging in.

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WH&LA Capitol Insider: ADA Changes for Lodging Properties

July 19, 2011 in Legislative Advisory | No comments

In our January 10 WH&LA Capitol Insider (“Key Federal Issues Update”), we announced primary changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) impacting lodging properties around the country. At the time, we also cautioned members about outside sources that try to outline a “one-size-fits-all” resolution to all the changes for all properties, due to the complexities of the changes.

Included in today’s Capitol Insider is a simplified summarty of ADA changes that will impact lodging properties, as well as additional topic-focused and broad-based resources. AH&LA is also hosting a webinar on July 27 – more details on the webinar can be found here.

Full text of this Capitol Insider can be found here by clicking the July 19 “ADA Changes for Lodging Properties” link. This link is password protected for lodging members only. Contact Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851 if you need help logging in.

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What amenities are your guests searching for?

July 15, 2011 in Marketing & Social Media, WH&LA Membership Features | No comments

We’ve compiled the top 10 most frequently searched amenities on wisconsinlodging.org for the first six months of 2011 – do you know which ones are most often searched by travelers? Do you offer those amenities at your property?

TOP 10 AMENITIES AT WISCONSINLODGING.ORG
January – June, 2011

1. AAA Official Appointment (572 searches)
2. No Smoking Allowed (535 searches)
3. Horseback Riding (406 searches)
4. Whirlpool in Room (392 searches)
5. Cottages/Cabins (378 searches)
6. Outdoor Waterpark (373 searches)
7. Beach (305 searches)
8. Fireplaces in Room (295 searches)
9. Complimentary Full Breakfast (234 searches)
10. Meeting Rooms/Conventions (224 searches)

Make sure your property’s amenities are up-to-date on your listing page at wisconsinlodging.org. Making changes and sending updates is easy – just log into the members website (contact Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851 if you need help logging in) and click the Update/Edit Info link. A complete list of all available WH&LA amenities is available here.

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WH&LA Capitol Insider: Recall Elections, Concealed Carry and OTC Issues Updates

July 12, 2011 in Legislative Advisory | No comments

Today’s Capitol Insider summarizes state Senate recall elections; concealed carry legislation signed by Governor Scott Walker on July 11, 2011; and online travel company issues regarding room tax.

Full text of this Capitol Insider can be found here by clicking the July 12 link. This link is password protected for lodging members only. Contact Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851 if you need help logging in.

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AH&LA to host webinar on ADA compliance

July 8, 2011 in AH&LA Information Resources, Free Webinars | 1 comment

AH&LA is hosting a webinar titled “New ADA Title III: Will You Be in Compliance on March 15, 2012,” scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. CDT. This webinar is free for all AH&LA members.* The session will be led by two legal experts who have been actively involved in working with AH&LA to submit comments to the Department of Justice during deliberations on these changes.

Topics covered will include: new requirements for existing swimming pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms; new standards for what is considered an accessible facility; clarified or expanded requirements regarding lodging reservations, service animals, effective communication with guests with disabilities, etc.; coverage of power mobility devices (like Segways); and proposed regulations for accessible websites, point-of-sale devices, guestroom beds and other furniture, and other self-service equipment.

Register for the webinar here.

*All WH&LA members with 51 or more rooms/units automatically join AH&LA, and smaller properties with 1 – 50 rooms/units have the option to join each year if they would like). If your property is not an AH&LA member, the cost of the Webinar is $99; however, as a separate membership for a small property without a restaurant is only $110, this may be something to consider. Contact the WH&LA office at 262/782-2851 for any questions on AH&LA membership.

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WH&LA Advisory: Recent EEOC Harassment Decision

July 5, 2011 in Industry Update | No comments

Recently, a company in Racine that owns several IHOP restaurants in Wisconsin, has been found to have violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for engaging in sexual harassment. The focus of the lawsuit was the allegations of sexual harassment at one of the company’s restaurants. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requested and obtained an injunction to stop further acts of sexual harassment.

Today’s WH&LA Advisory, submitted by Barry L. Chaet, Esq. of Beck, Chaet, Bamberger & Polsky S.C. in Milwaukee, discusses the decision in the harassment lawsuit and what it means for companies that own multiple facilities in Wisconsin that use one management company, central personnel office or general manager to provide personnel services and implement EEOC policies at all of its facilities.

The full text of today’s WH&LA Advisory can be found here by clicking the July 5 link. This link is password protected for lodging members only. Email Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851 if you need help logging in.

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