Wisconsin
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Occupancy was up in Wisconsin in August 2011 compared to August 2010 and several market areas saw an increase in occupancy, with the largest increase in Madison. ADR was also up statewide compared to August 2010, with the largest increase in La Crosse.
To view Smith Travel Data for your region for August 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.
Tags: la crosse, Madison, Smith Travel Data, STR, Wisconsin
The state Department of Revenue just released a September 2011 update to its former 2009 publication about how lodging property operations are affected by sales and use taxes.
This publication is a handy reference for the lodging industry, covering everything from sales tax exemptions on sleeping room rentals to what charges and purchases are taxable, and so much more. The full issue of this WH&LA Advisory is available here by clicking the September 28. 2011 link.
The above link is password protected for lodging members only. If you need help logging in, email Michelle in the WH&LA office or call 262/782-2851.
Tags: Department of Revenue, publication 219, sleeping room rentals, taxes, wh&la advisory, Wisconsin
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.
Tags: ada, Capitol Insider, lodging, regulations, Wisconsin
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.
Tags: amenities, lodging, website, Wisconsin
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.
Tags: Capitol Insider, concealed carry, OTC, recall elections, room tax, scott walker, Wisconsin
Sunday afternoon Governor Scott Walker signed the State Budget into law (Wisconsin Act 40). Our state historically grapples with the budget until well after the July 1 intended implementation date, and it was reported that this was the earliest signing date since 1967.
Today’s Capitol Insider summarizes state budget highlights for Wisconsin’s lodging industry, including state tourism budget increase, tourism earmarks, film tax credits, Arts Board reduction in funding and shift to Tourism, increase in small claims limits, new state campgrounds, travel by UW employees and more.
Full text of this Capitol Insider can be found here by clicking the June 29 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.
Tags: arts board, Capitol Insider, film tax credits, lodging industry, scott walker, state budget, tourism, Wisconsin
For more than 35 years, WH&LA has honored the best of those in Wisconsin who have distinguished themselves in the lodging industry. In keeping with tradition, WH&LA is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Innkeeper and Associate of the Year awards and the new Spirit of Hospitality Award!
Download the nomination form here. To receive a copy of the nomination form in the mail, call the WH&LA office at 262/782-2851 or email Jennifer. Forms must be completed and returned to the WH&LA office via mail, fax or email no later than August 5, 2011.
All nominees must be employed by a current WH&LA member. An official nomination form must be submitted for each nominee. Once WH&LA receives a nomination, staff will notify the nominee by forwarding a 2011 official entry form, which notes the award’s criteria and the materials needed for review by the judging committee. Judging will be performed by the WH&LA Awards Committee and the entry form will list all judging criteria in detail.
New for 2011 – the Spirit of Hospitality Award! This award has been created to honor employees who reflect exemplary role models of the true spirit of hospitality in Wisconsin. Recognition will be given to each eligible employee nominated for the Spirit of Hospitality award. Limit one entry per property and owners, operators and general managers are not eligible.
All submitted materials become property of WH&LA and will not be returned. In fairness to all candidates, no extensions will be permitted in the case of missed deadlines. Recent recipients ineligible for the 2011 award include innkeepers of the year Robert Dove, Brian Brandstetter and Kari Zambon; and associates of the year Joe Holland and Doug Nysse.
Tags: associate of the year, award, innkeeper of the year, nomination, spirit of hospitality, WH&LA, Wisconsin
Occupancy was up in Wisconsin in May 2011 compared to May 2010 and nearly all market areas saw an increase in occupancy, with the largest increase in Madison. ADR was also up statewide compared to May 2010, with the largest increase in Eau Claire/Menomonie.
To view Smith Travel Data for your region for May 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.
Tags: ADR, eau claire, Madison, occupancy, RevPAR, Smith Travel Research, STR, Wisconsin
The May 26 WH&LA Capitol Insider provided a round-up review of several issues relevant to the lodging industry, including:
- SB 93 regarding concealed carry of firearms, bows or crossbows in Wisconsin under certain circumstances;
- SJR 23/AJR 31 regarding a Constitutional amendment protecting the state transportation fund;
- SB 85 regarding theft of spa services;
- SB 59/AB 73 which extends the deadline for registration of a grandfathered pier from April 1, 2011 (already passed!) to April 1, 2012;
- SB 12/AB 31 which would allow lodging properties and other retailers to offer a discount to the public equal to the amount of sales tax, requiring the retailer still submits the required taxes;
- SB 62/AB 106 regarding culling of bass at fishing tournaments;
- meetings regarding room tax reform progress; and
- the state Tourism budget.
The entire Capitol Insider can be accessed here by clicking on the May 26 link. This link is password protected for lodging members only – contact Michelle in the WH&LA office if you need access to your password or help logging in.
Tags: concealed carry, constitutional amendment, culling bass, Department of Tourism, firearms, fishing tournaments, piers, room tax reform, sales tax discount, spa services theft, state tourism budget, state transportation fund, WDT, Wisconsin
The May 5 WH&LA Capitol Insider provided a round-up review of several issues relevant to the lodging industry, including:
- Passage by the Joint Finance Committee of the proposed increases in Tourism Marketing Funding over the next two years;
- Reductions in funding and realignment of the Arts Board;
- SB 59, which would extends the deadline for registration with the DNR of a grandfathered pier from April 1, 2011, to April 1, 2012;
- Wisconsin Act 16, which prevents local ordinances from exceeding the state family and medical leave act relating to employer requirements on paid or unpaid leave; and
- SB 85, which would treat lack of payment for services rendered by a service provider the same as retail theft, which would be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the service.
The entire Capitol Insider can be accessed here by clicking on the May 5 link. This link is password protected for lodging members only – contact Michelle in the WH&LA office if you need access to your password or help logging in.
Tags: arts board, Department of Tourism, joint finance committee, legislature, mandatory sick leave ordinance, Milwaukee, piers, sb 59, sb 85, spa servivces theft, tourism marketing, WDT, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Act 16
