Workforce Development Coming off the heels of another successful Oregon ProStart Championships, we continue to look for ways to amplify some of the work our industry members engaged in the background to help educate our prospective workforce about the opportunities in this industry. You'll find an article in Here is Oregon that hears from both a mentor and volunteer judge on how rewarding it is for them to participate in our Oregon ProStart Championships event every year. You can also read our latest Workforce Blog about how our Oregon Hospitality Foundation team is pitching the "fun and great experience" our industry offers to our future workforce prospects. Industry Stakeholder Survey We're calling on all restaurant and lodging operators along the Oregon coast to take an important survey and provide feedback. To further the work our Oregon Hospitality Foundation's Hospitality Sector Strategist is doing, we need you to share your experience and insights to help us understand the workforce challenges and successes within our industry. To learn more about this project or if you have additional insights to share, email Rebecca Donley. Take survey here. Unfortunate Tragedy, Continued Safety Concerns Oregon's hospitality industry lost a team member last week who was murdered in an unprovoked attack on TriMet in Portland. ORLA has been devoted to this issue given the importance of safety and security on our transportation systems and expressed concerns directly to the Governor's office. We also have invited TriMet executives to hear directly from restaurant operators and hotel GMs about the safety concerns of our industry workers who rely on the train for transportation. In the meantime, if you’re in a position to help a family in need, a Go Fund Me Page for Mike Brady’s family has been established as a result of the tragedy. Tourism Academy Launches Year 5 Starting this week, our fifth Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy class launched their 2024 experience in southern Oregon. This program continues to be a key component for ORLA to establish a stronger leadership presence amongst tourism and hospitality stakeholders from around Oregon who gather four times during the year for multi-day professional development programming. ORLA is cultivating many friends through this program, each of whom can help us reinforce the value of being involved with ORLA while also answering the call of leadership to defend the appropriate use of industry taxes at local and regional levels. Learn more about OTLA. Regional Meetings This Spring ORLA is hosting eight regional meetings across the state this spring. The emerging narrative in our first two regional meetings from ORLA members has focused on eroding profit margins due to swelling cost centers – whether they be rent, utilities, insurance, prime costs, etc. The pressures on the bottom line for both hotels and restaurants is palpable and ORLA continues to have concerns about the ability of our members to sustain their operations in the face of these headwinds. If you haven't yet, RSVP to an upcoming Regional Meeting and join us in the conversation. Don't Miss the Northwest Food Show! Be a part of the largest B2B food show in the Northwest! ORLA's Northwest Food Show presented by Curtis will be held at the Portland Expo Center Sunday and Monday, April 21 and 22. This show boasts hundreds of exhibit booths with everything from food and beverage to equipment to marketing and technology vendors. Register online prior to the show for quick and easy entry (ORLA members can register free with code "ORLA"). Registration at the door is also available. Visit NWFoodshow.com. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. Meals Tax Goes Down at Council, Will Likely Move to Ballot Last night the Grants Pass City Council voted 5-3 in opposition of adopting the ordinance at Council level for a food and beverage tax, flipping their previous vote earlier this month. Restaurant operators showed up in droves with signs and buttons as well as to testify alongside ORLA and its members, clearly demonstrating how our industry is well organized and willing to do what it takes to protect our businesses. Despite the Council voting against enacting the tax, they may decide to place it on the ballot in November for voters to decide. Council Considered General Sales Tax, Utility Fee, and Meals Tax The City of Grants Pass is looking for funding sources to increase service levels of public safety. A general sales tax, a prepared meals tax on restaurants, and a utility fee were all being considered. And on February 7, City Council voted 5-3 to pursue a 3% meals tax in addition to a utility fee. Grants Pass’ city charter allows Council to legally pass this tax without the vote of the people, though it is very uncommon for new taxes to be passed without a ballot vote. Based on draft language for the new food and beverage tax ordinance, increases in the 3% tax would be allowed at any time and to any amount without the vote of the people. We strongly feel the Council’s decision to place the burden of paying for services everyone will benefit from on a single industry segment is inequitable and dangerous. Brief History:
ORLA has outlined several reasons why voters should be allowed to weigh in on a sales tax on meals:
At the very least, the people of Grants Pass deserve to vote up or down on this sales tax on meals. An even better solution for the City would be to consider an Economic Improvement District or similar mechanism where the burden of raising revenue falls more broadly than on just the struggling local restaurants. If you have any questions or want to get engaged in this issue, reach out to ORLA Regional Representative, Terry Hopkins. ORLA is a trade organization for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon, formed for the purposes of promoting the common business interests of its membership and to improve business conditions of the foodservice and lodging industry. If you are not currently a member of ORLA and would like to learn more, visit our Membership page and reach out to us via email.
Tell Congress to Pass New Tax Legislation Benefiting Hospitality Businesses New legislation would restore expired tax deductions for many operators who are investing in their businesses. This legislation would extend 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property, increase the maximum depreciation expense amount, and extend the inclusion of depreciation and amortization in business interest expense calculations. By restoring business interest expensing, this bill would help many restaurant and lodging operators lower their tax burden when investing in building upgrades, remodels, expansions, and refurbishments. Members of Congress need to hear directly from operators like you, so please take two minutes to add your voice. Take action today to ensure Congress acts quickly to pass this bill: Hotels Will Pay Historic Wages, Generate Record Level of Tax Revenue in 2024 Despite labor shortages and persistent inflation, hotels are projected to pay a record amount of wages and generate a record level of tax revenue in 2024, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2024 State of the Hotel Industry report. Top findings include:
Questions? Contact Pete Kasperowicz, American Hotel & Lodging Association, with any questions at (202) 289-3155. OHA Buried Report Citing Taxes Don't Curb Excessive Alcohol Use The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) commissioned EcoNorthwest to produce a report on the cause and effect of increasing alcohol taxes in an attempt to curb heavy drinking amongst the Oregon populous. The study, which should have been published in 2021, concluded alcohol taxes do not change consumer habits or significantly reduce abuse. The Oregon Beverage Alliance is voicing their concern and that this publicly funded report was intentionally withheld by the Oregon Health Authority, as uncovered by the Oregonian. While Oregon’s breweries, wineries and cideries continue to face major challenges with record closures rates and reduced volume sales, the Oregon Beverage Alliance says "the last thing any local business needs are tax increases.” Introducing Tip Tax Credit by ORLA Hospitality Partner, Adesso Did you know your employees’ tips can get you money back from the IRS? With Tip Tax Credit by Adesso, employers can get tax credits for tips your employees earn. The FICA Tip Credit is a federal tax credit available to employers who have employees who receive tips as a significant part of their income. FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, which includes Social Security and Medicare taxes. The credit allows employers to claim a portion of the FICA taxes paid on employees' tips as a credit against their own tax liability. If your business is tip-driven, tips are reported by your employees, and FICA taxes have been paid on those reported tips, your business may qualify. To learn more, visit our Adesso partner page to get started with Tip Tax Credit. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jason Brandt, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association 503.302.5060 | jbrandt@OregonRLA.org ORLA Files Suit Against City of Albany for Tax Expenditures The motion filed in Linn County District Court alleges misuse of lodging taxes based on state law requirements Wilsonville, OR– The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) filed a lawsuit this week against the City of Albany in Linn County Circuit Court. ORLA contends the City has not reinvested lodging tax dollars originally used to pay off remaining debt for the Linn County Fair & Expo Center back into tourism promotions and/or other tourism-related facilities as required by state law. “ORLA, on behalf of our local lodging and restaurant operators, has done everything we can to find agreement with City administrators for over a year in hopes of avoiding legal action,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Unfortunately, City administrators appear to be undeterred and unwilling to concede dollars previously used to pay off debt for the Linn County Fair & Expo center must be reinvested in tourism promotions and/or tourism-related facilities as required by state law.” Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 320.350 prohibits local governments from decreasing the percentage of Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) revenues spent to fund tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities once tourism-related facility debt is paid off. “The City has had two choices available to them since retiring debt associated with the Linn County Fair & Expo Center,” said Brandt. “They could have reinvested those dollars in other tourism-related facility projects or tourism promotional campaigns bringing benefits to both residents and visitors, or they could have chosen to reduce the industry tax rate after paying off the debt. Unfortunately, these options have not been embraced and our industry seeks to hold the City of Albany accountable for its failure to comply with state law.” The hospitality industry remains focused on embracing shoulder and off-season promotions to entice visitors to local communities across Oregon year-round. “We know the diversion of lodging taxes in support of other local government priorities shortchanges our ability to bring visitor dollars to our restaurant, lodging, and retail businesses year-round,” said Brandt. “Our promotional campaigns at strategic times of the year to targeted tourism markets can bring significant revenue to our local economies and sustain year-round employment for our hard-working teammates in the industry.” The lawsuit filed with Linn County Circuit Court can be viewed through the following link: Complaint: ORLA v. City of Albany Learn more about how Oregon lodging tax is defined in this video. For more information on the efforts of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association please visit OregonRLA.org. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon. A not-for-profit trade organization, ORLA represents approximately 3,000 member units and advocates for over 10,000 foodservice locations and over 2,400 lodging establishments in Oregon.
Conference Recap / Grant Opportunities / Inspection Fees / Member Benefits Conference Success! ORLA wrapped up another successful Hospitality Conference with two full days of programming at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites. Over 250 industry members connected with peers, learned new best practices, and helped celebrate some of the outstanding members of our industry. In case you missed it, check out some of the visuals captured during the event as well as for our Awards program:
Tillamook County Marketing and Facilities Grants Open October 1 Tillamook County businesses and organizations that could use financial support for marketing and/or facility improvements should look into the five Tillamook Coast Visitors Association grants opening October 1. To apply for TCVA’s facilities or marketing grants, or Manzanita’s marketing grant, visit www.tillamookcoast.com/grants. For more information on Rockaway’s marketing and facilities grants, go to www.visitrockawaybeach.org/grants. For additional questions, contact TCVA Finance and Grant Manager Marni Johnston at 503-842-2672, ext. 3. Multnomah County Inspection Fees: ORLA Takes Action The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is monitoring a Multnomah County staff proposal to increase fees by 6% to recover the costs of administering county inspections and licensing of specific categories of food, pool and tourist/traveler facilities. ORLA Government Affairs Coordinator Makenzie shared the following update:
New Allied Partnerships to Benefit Members ORLA Director of Business Development Marla McColly has been working behind the scenes to secure new Hospitality Partnerships for ORLA members this past month with GigSmart and Ubiquity. Visit our website for more information and the member benefit offers they have. In addition, SKECHERS Direct discount is outlined in their listing on our website found in the Buyer’s Guide / Coupons and Discounts (along with many other special deals!). This is just one way we can provide ROI for members and help them save money. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. Restaurant and Hotel Industry Members Honored by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association [Wilsonville, OR] – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) will honor five members of Oregon’s foodservice and lodging industry as Oregon Hospitality Award recipients later this month. Demetrio De La O Rendon (Lakeshore Inn) was named Employee of the Year, Crystal Brenneman (Dixie Tavern) was named Team Leader of the Year, Taran Patel (A-1 Hospitality) was named Lodging Operator of the Year, and Lisa Schroeder (Mother’s Bistro & Bar) was named Restaurateur of the Year. Risk Strategies Company | Fournier Group is recognized as ORLA’s Allied Partner of the Year. “Oregon’s hospitality industry is filled with remarkable, passionate people who go above and beyond on a daily basis because they love what they do,” says Jason Brandt, President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “These recipients represent not only some of our industry’s most dedicated team members and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve.” Nominated by their peers, these award recipients will be recognized in front of an expected 250 delegates at the ORLA Hospitality Conference September 30–October 2, held at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland, Oregon. These statewide awards recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and businesses serving the hospitality industry and communities throughout the state. Demetrio De La O Rendon has worked as the maintenance engineer for the Lakeshore Inn in Lake Oswego the past seven years. His reputation among coworkers as a hardworking and caring employee also transcends to guests who continually praise his work and compliment his helpful nature. There isn’t a task asked of him he isn’t willing to do and he is always first to offer assistance to coworkers and guests whenever he sees a need. With a humble nature, Demetrio is a “favorite coworker” among the entire team and always wears a smile on his face no matter how tough the day’s challenges have been. As manager of the Dixie Tavern in Portland, Crystal Brenneman epitomizes what a dynamic team leader represents with her dedicated service-mentality, passion for hospitality, and guidance as a role model for her colleagues. Before she stepped into her manager role, Crystal learned every position at the tavern, including maintenance. Referred to as “the backbone of Dixie,” Crystal enjoys serving as the unofficial ambassador for the tavern, always making guests feel welcome with her patience and positive energy. Coworkers are galvanized with her daily mantra at the start of every shift, “It’s going to be a great night!” Taran Patel grew up in the hospitality industry, watching his parents grow their business from a 36-room motel to a premier hotel property management company with 12 properties in A-1 Hospitality Group's portfolio. Driven by the American Dream, he learned the meaning of hard work from a young age. Starting in operations and development, he helped cultivate the supportive company culture created by his parents. Under Taran’s guidance, the hotels not only provided needed support to their communities during the pandemic, they continued to stay open to ensure their team members were able to keep their jobs and support their families through difficult times. He is recognized by his colleagues as a hard-working and engaged industry operator. Taran's contributions extend beyond A-1 Hospitality, as he dedicates his time to several industry boards and organizations, including serving as NW Regional Director on the Board for the Asian American Hotel Owner Association (AAHOA). Executive Chef and Owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Lisa Schroeder has created a Portland institution, providing “better-than-authentic” renditions of traditional home-cooked dishes from recipes derived from real mothers in their own homes. Inspired by her own mother who was a hard-working single mom (and amazing in the kitchen), Lisa’s tenacity and passion for “Mother Food” helped her dream of opening Mother’s Bistro become reality. Lisa also extends a dedicated commitment to help her community by actively participating in charitable causes and civic engagement. Lisa was recently recognized as Oregon Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Oregon’s hospitality industry is fortunate to have dedicated purveyors focused on providing the best products and services to help operators run a successful business. Risk Strategies Company | Fournier Group is one of those companies that stands out for their exceptional service and innovative contributions to the industry. Through a unique partnership, the association was able to launch the Hospitality Insurance Program (HIP), helping business owners navigate the insurance landscape and providing tools to help them take better control of their business. For more information on the ORLA Hospitality Awards, visit www.Oregonrla.org/nominate. To learn more or register for the Hospitality Conference, visit www.ORLAHospitalityConference.com. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon. A not-for-profit trade organization, ORLA represents over 3,000 member units and advocates for over 10,000 foodservice locations and over 2,400 lodging establishments in Oregon. The hospitality industry is the second largest business sector behind healthcare. In 2022, our industry provided over 197,000 jobs to working Oregonians and brought in over $10.9 billion in annual sales for Oregon.
Small businesses across the country need thriving associations with competent professional staff who serve as intelligence officers for their respective industries. When the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) first came into existence back in 1932 (the two associations merged in 2010), it was clear a unified voice was needed to represent the needs of hospitality businesses across the state. Far too often, elected officials who in many cases serve in a volunteer civic capacity, have little time to become experts on all policy decisions crossing their desk. Imagine a world where elected officials had no organized industry voice to turn to while making policy decisions for their constituents. That world would be rife with unintended consequences and short-sighted decision making. Although our mission has evolved subtly over time, ORLA remains focused on improving, protecting, and promoting over 10,000 foodservice and 2,500 lodging locations across Oregon. These operations remain in business even after Covid unleashed its ferocious blow on an industry reliant on in person experiences. When considering both openings and closures, we estimate Oregon lost a net of 750 restaurants because of the pandemic, a number much smaller than originally anticipated but still devastating to economic ecosystems across the state. Of all our existing locations, ORLA currently has a little over 3,000 who have chosen voluntarily to join their statewide association in support of our mission. It is clear the secret is out on Oregon as our population continues to grow with its geographic position between California and Washington. The state benefits greatly from its high qualify of life and diverse topography. You would be hard pressed to find a state with mountain ranges, a world-famous coastline, high deserts, and vast river and lake systems highlighted by the Columbia Gorge. As the state’s population grows so do the opportunities for additional foodservice and lodging pursuits. We are fortunate to have a state association which continues to slowly grow in its size and scope with 16 full time professional staff dedicated to the work. The hospitality industry here in Oregon is at a crossroads with a growing market of independent small operators determined to provide choice to their guests. The explosion of choice feels like the options we now have when turning on a television. Instead of a handful of channels, we have immediate access to hundreds in addition to what seems like a limitless supply of streaming content. The same dynamics are at play in the hospitality industry. On one hand, lodging brands have greatly expanded to provide more choice for the traveler. On the restaurant side, we continue to see innovative business models emerge including app-based ordering, ping pong bars, and a proliferation of food pods and mobile units. The world looks different when compared to the norm of decades past when the traditional family restaurant dinner was served by the restaurant owners and their staff. Online travel agencies (think Expedia and Booking.com) as well as third-party delivery services (like DoorDash and Uber Eats) are creating a highly advanced and complicated environment. Restaurant and lodging establishments have innumerable opportunities to partner with vendors and suppliers in their ultimate goal to make money and provide jobs to others. If an operator is too flippant and not committed to detail, it would be easy to launch a hospitality business without a means for sustaining it. Commission rates for Online Travel Agencies can be considerable for lodging operators and restaurants continue to reel from increasing labor and food costs on top of their own commission payments to third party delivery companies. Too few Americans realize that 95 cents of every dollar they spend in a restaurant goes back into the food, the people, and the place. When you look at the hospitality industry through that lens, one could argue it is one of the more altruistic pursuits an entrepreneur can undertake. Most industries would balk and run the other direction if presented with an average margin of 5% for all their hard work. The challenges facing operators are real and its our job at ORLA to bring industry transparency to our many elected official relationships. We rely on engaged members to work with our staff to build meaningful, authentic connections with the individuals we elect to office. Without this interplay, there is no connective tissue between the operator struggling to hold onto their limited margin, and the politician looking to raise a new batch of money for their next passion project. Our primary focus at ORLA is building strong working relationships with decision makers in government. By bringing authenticity to the table we are able to lead initiatives to assist our industry in their recovery whether that includes launching legislation allowing a new element to restaurant business models like to-go cocktails, or navigating the legislative system to enact transformative unemployment insurance tax reform for employers. If industry operators need someone to have their back, its our job to be there. Our expectations for the future center on continued growth and diversification. The Oregon Employment Department projects our industry to be the fastest growing sector through the year 2030. Business models continue to change as operators re-evaluate the labor costs they can afford. With generational change comes the emergence of new trends including the new norm where a customer may not have a server but can still leave a restaurant feeling fulfilled by the high-end food quality and overall experience. Lodging operations are also reinventing themselves with more customized attention to the facilitation of experiences as opposed to the transaction of connecting a guest with a room. We are also starting to see generational change relating to housekeeping services in the wake of climate change with many brands reevaluating protocols for housekeeping services based on the changing perspectives of guests. Suffice to say a complicated world and a growing array of hospitality options has created an environment whereby the association may now be more relevant than it ever has been. It is our job at ORLA to keep our ear to the ground and stay on top of industry trends and intelligence. It is common for us to share knowledge directly impacting the way an operator makes decisions for their business. It is a true honor to be able to make a real difference in the lives of others. In the association world we have a responsibility to embrace the independence and choice being offered by our members while empowering them to take full advantage of the tools and resources made available to them through their industry associations. Jason Brandt is the President & CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. Brandt has served in the role since August 2015 and came to ORLA after serving as the CEO for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Brandt was recently recognized as a recipient of a 40 Under 40 award by the Portland Business Journal for his work representing the hospitality industry during the Coronavirus pandemic. This editorial was published in Business View Magazine August 2023 (Volume 10, Issue 8)
Legislative Session Recap / AAHOA Support for the Foundation / Fire Response Guide Today is National Hotel Employee Day! Not just today, but every day throughout the year, we express our thanks to all hotel employees – they are the heart of the lodging industry! This year, National Hotel Employee Day comes as hotels across the nation are working to quickly fill nearly 100,000 open hotel jobs. There has never been a better time to join the hospitality industry – with hotels offering current and prospective employees near-historic wages, better benefits, and more flexibility than ever before. Share more about hotel career opportunities in your communities by visiting thehotelindustry.com. 2023 Oregon Legislative Session Recap – The Oregon Legislature adjourned its 160-day session on June 25, 2023. Throughout the session, ORLA’s Government Affairs team focused on several priority bills relating to Oregon's restaurant and lodging industry. View ORLA's recap on the many of the bills we engaged or monitored during the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session. AAHOA Swings for Foundation Support – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) held its Northwest Region Charity Golf Tournament on August 14 at the Reserve Vineyard & Golf Club. Since its inception, AAHOA has engaged with local communities by supporting charitable organizations that provide services ranging from education to humanitarian efforts. The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) was fortunate to be one of the four recipients of the funds raised from this annual tournament this year. We are grateful for the partnership with AAHOA and their shared focus on industry workforce development programs. To learn more about OHF activities, visit OregonRLA.org/workforce blog. ORLA Editorial in National Publication – Earlier this year, Business View Magazine, on online source of news for executives, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and franchisees reached out to ORLA with a request to contribute to their restaurant series. This was an opportunity for ORLA to highlight some of the demographics of our industry, key topics, new developments in the industry, and our role as business advocates. Read ORLA CEO Jason Brandt’s editorial here on page 121: Associations of the Future Must Embrace Independence and Choice. Best Practice Guide for Fire Response – Always Ready: Fire is the latest in a series of restaurant-specific guides designed to help restaurant owners and operators evaluate their risks and create a fire response plan. This new resource produced by the National Restaurant Association pulls best practices from official sources and restaurant operators including content on risk assessment, insurance, prevention, and communications. Download the guide from the Resource Library available at Restaurant.org. Chow Down for Vets! The Portland Kitchen Cabinet is working with Returning Veterans organization again to help engage restaurant operators to participate in the Chow Down for Vets event on November 11. Restaurants will agree to donate a portion of their sales to support local veterans! By definition, a captive audience meeting is a mandatory meeting during working hours. Captive audience meetings are an important tool for employers to explain aspects and implications of unionization (and other issues) that might not be readily apparent to many workers. How these meetings are conducted will differ from workplace to workplace. In 2009, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 519, prohibiting employers from taking adverse employment action against any employee who declines to attend a meeting or participate in communication concerning an employer's opinion about religious or political matters. Employers should consider their options accordingly. The Council of State Restaurant Associations produced an issue brief that provides valuable considerations for employers. ORLA members can access this brief in the Resource Library by logging in to OregonRLA.org. Not an ORLA member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
Payroll Tax Referral / Safety Summit / Charity Golf Salem Payroll Tax Referral – Oregon Business & Industry (our state Chamber of Commerce) is leading an effort to refer a recent 5-4 payroll tax vote of the Salem City Council to the November ballot. This would tax anyone performing work within the Salem city limits at a rate of .814 percent. ORLA has been engaged in this effort through testimony and volunteer signature gathering for effected members within the Salem City limits. Thus far, over 4,000 signatures have been collected to get the payroll tax on the ballot for voter consideration with a goal of 6,000 by August 9 to allow room for collection errors. We haven’t seen a collection effort that has resulted in this many signatures so quickly and our friends at OBI deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. Engage in this effort by visiting letsalemvote.com. Portland Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit – Downtown Clean & Safe hosted a Portland Hotel and Restaurant Safety Summit at the Nines last week in partnership with ORLA. About 40-50 hospitality industry members were in attendance and armed with concerns and questions. Speakers represented the Portland Police Bureau, mayor’s office, DA’s office, and Multnomah County. Outcomes include the Portland Metro Chamber (formerly the Portland Business Alliance) and ORLA collaborating on drafting 5-6 specific “asks” from the business/hospitality industry that will be presented to city, county, and state leadership. Read more in our new Portland Advocacy Blog. AAHOA Charity Golf Tournament – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is holding a Charity Golf Tournament coming up on August 14 at the Reserve Vineyard & Golf Club in Aloha. One of the four recipients of the funds raised is the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. If your are interested in supporting the charities and can participate on August 14 please visit the Player and Sponsor registration links. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) keeps members informed and educated on important issues impacting the hospitality industry. If you are not yet a member of ORLA, please consider joining the association in order to access the latest industry intelligence for businesses like yours. Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
Approximately 20% of all employment along the Oregon coast is in leisure and hospitality jobs, making this one of the largest employer groups in the region. This also makes the hospitality industry one of the most important economic drivers along the coast. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) and the Oregon Hospitality Foundation are working with three workforce development boards covering the coast to create a Hospitality Industry Sector Partnership in order to support the industry’s workforce development needs. The proposed partnership aims to strengthen the industry by supporting businesses in understanding how to create an environment in which they become known as a great place to work with competitive pay and benefits, and simultaneously educating the public about the career opportunities available within the industry. Read more about this effort in the project narrative that outlines the statement of need and projected outcomes. In tandem to this effort, ORLA's President & CEO Jason Brandt will be joining the Statewide CTE Advisory Board, advocating for improved access to market-driven occupations in our school systems across the state. If you want to learn more about this or if you are interested in becoming more involved, reach out to Jason Brandt. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. Building Future Hospitality Leaders / Portland Summit / Whiskey Event / Heat Webinar ProStart Promotional Video – ORLA and the Oregon Hospitality Foundation have a new promotional video for our ProStart program. We have important work ahead in supporting high school teachers who provide culinary arts and management training for high school students around the state. Our annual ProStart Championships and ProStart curriculum built for each school year provide great opportunities for students and educators to connect with industry operators. You can check out the video here which we’ll use to promote the program in the coming years. Portland Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit – ORLA in partnership with Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and the City of Portland is pleased to invite our Portland area hotels and restaurants to a “Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit” Thursday, July 27th from 10 am to noon at The Nines Hotel, 525 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR, 97204. The goal is to provide our hospitality industry with an overview of current and future public safety plans and strategies from the Portland Police Bureau, the City of Portland, and various private security partners and organizations. Safety for industry staff, patrons, and locations is an ongoing concern and this event will provide networking connections, security-related resources and information to strengthen many existing private-public safety and livability partnerships. To learn more and to RSVP please reach out to Makenzie Marineau on the ORLA staff who oversees Portland government affairs issues for the association. Whiskey Event Coming to Portland August 26 – ORLA's Swig & Savor, which offers whisk(e)y lovers an opportunity to try a curated list of beverages from distillers around the world, is back for its second year. The annual event will be Saturday, August 26 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Tickets are now available starting at $149 per person. The highlight of Swig & Savor is the opportunity to sample whisk(e)ys from top producers in the Northwest and beyond. This includes seven distilleries in Oregon and companies from nine other states and three countries. Distilleries will bring current releases as well as special bottles available only to VIPs. You can purchase tickets today at www.swigandsavor.com. Webinar on OR-OSHA Heat Rules – Over the past few months the Northwest Grocery Association team has been working with OR-OSHA and the Governor’s office in an attempt to get clarity about the ‘bakery’ exemption in the Oregon Heat Rules. As you may recall, this ‘exemption’ was meant to exclude temperatures generated from equipment (bakeries, manufacturing, commercial kitchens) from the Heat Rules (new training, mandatory breaks, water, shade etc). However, recent practices and positions by OR-OSHA have now essentially made this exemption moot. The rules took effect last June 15, 2022 and kick in when outside air temperatures reach 80 degrees. In an effort to provide employers greater information and training, OR-OSHA has agreed to staff a webinar on the Heat Rules specific to “Hot Process.” They have also updated the FAQ and Fact Sheet. All employers are welcome to join this webinar, especially HR and Facilities Teams; get the link here. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. Legislative Progress / ORLA Testimony / Power Outages / Mergers Senate Activity Spurs Bill Passage - With the Oregon Senate officially back with a quorum to conduct business, there's been a flurry of activity at the Capitol. All 38 budget bills have passed, with over 30 agency or commission budget bills from the House awaiting Senate action. One important piece of public safety legislation that passed the Senate, SB 337, is a funding bill for increased investments to assist with the backlog of officers awaiting training at the state policy academy. The second bill, SB 5532, is the budget bill for the new commission which also passed the Senate. Read the summary from the Oregon State Bar. ORLA's government affairs team is still engaged on several other bills of importance to the hospitality industry; see the latest bill tracking online. ORLA Testimony - Throughout the year, your association engages on a number of issues with potential impact on hospitality businesses. Our government affairs team is at the table for important discussions with other business organizations, elected leaders, and agency and government representatives, oftentimes providing testimony on behalf of our members. Here's some recent activity:
Be Smart and Prepare for Power Outages - Oregon is experiencing longer and more intense wildfire seasons than ever before. Which is why businesses need to be prepared for potential wildfire and weather-related events as well as the power outages they may cause. ORLA has curated a list of helpful information and resources that provide preventative steps to help minimize disruption in case of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. From training to refrigeration, there are a number of steps you can proactively take now to prepare your staff and business for potential planned (or unplanned) power shutoffs. Webinar on Hospitality Mergers and Acquisitions Marketplace - Take a look into hospitality deal activity trends and what you should be doing now to maximize the value of your business. Join this webinar hosted by ORLA to receive industry insight on the status of the hospitality Mergers and Acquisitions marketplace and trends associated with deal structures and valuation. Industry members will also learn how to position a hospitality business to maximize its value to attract investors and buyers. Additional topics will include planning for owner transitions and succession planning, the process of executing a successful transaction, and how to prepare your business for sale. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research.
Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you. One Big Night Success / Lottery Rulemaking / Nominate Your Star Employees Huge Support Realized at One Big Night: Last night, ORLA held its annual One Big Night dinner and auction presented by Elmer's and Egg N' Joe, raising crucial funds for the Political Action Committee (ORLAPAC). Close to 200 industry members gathered for a fun evening while helping raise serious money for the PAC. This financial support helps further our mission of electing pro-industry legislators to serve in Salem. During the program, we debuted our new advocacy video highlighting what some of our members are saying about the valuable work we do advocating on behalf of the industry. Watch the video. Proposed Video Lottery Rule Changes: ORLA held a Lottery Subcommittee meeting last month to talk with retailers about the Oregon Lottery's Rule Changes Proposal and prepare for the Lottery's rulemaking meetings. The Lottery in recent years has faced Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) inventory shortfalls combined with budget constraints and outdated equipment management strategies. This led the Lottery to stop processing applications in 2021, and now is proposing rule changes that include pulling machines from low-producing retailers. ORLA submitted written testimony and encouraged retailers to submit their own comments on the proposed rules. We'll keep you posted on the activity. Webinar to Help Businesses Optimize Their Google Business Profile: How your business appears online matters. It’s the first thing customers see when they search online. Locl helps you simplify Google Business Profile updates, create posts, engage with customer reviews, monitor business performance and act on insights. ORLA is partnering with Travel Oregon and Locl to provide a webinar on June 14 to show how you can use the Locl platform (for free) to save time, gain valuable insights and drive business. Access the toolkit for more information, and register today for the webinar. Nominate Your Star Employees: Oregon’s hospitality industry is full of amazing individuals who go above and beyond, raising the bar for excellence in service, performance, and commitment to their team, organization, and the industry. Nominations for the statewide ORLA Hospitality Industry Awards seek to recognize some of these outstanding individuals who truly exemplify Oregon hospitality. In addition to the Employee of the Year, we are also accepting nominations for the Restaurateur of the Year, Lodging Operator of the Year, and new this year a Team Leader of the Year (mid-level employee, supervisor, or director). Be sure to submit your nomination by June 30, 2023. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research. Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
ProStart Students on Capitol Hill / Legislative Updates / Industry Workshops / Cinco de Mayo Oregon Represented at National Competition: The National ProStart Invitational wrapped up last night after two days of heated competition among 400 high school students representing 92 teams from 46 states. As Oregon state champions, Crook County and McMinnville high school teams traveled to Washington D.C. this week to compete in the culinary and management competitions, respectively. Oregon Hospitality Foundation's Courtney Smith traveled with the teams as host and to provide support at the events. Following the competition, students on McMinnville's management team met with Senator Jeff Merkley on Capitol Hill to share their restaurant concept and convey how valuable the ProStart program has been in providing training and career exploration in the hospitality industry. Way to go Oregon! Legislative Bill Deadline: Today is the Post Work Session deadline for all legislative bills. In order for a bill to be heard in committee by second chamber deadline (May 19), it has to be posted on an agenda for work session by May 5. However, this does not apply to Rules, Revenue, or Joint Committees. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee continues to meet via Zoom every Friday for discussion and updates on legislative activity. If you are interested in joining, please sign up and we'll connect with you before next week's call. You can find the latest bill tracking on our website. "How I got Started in the Hospitality Industry:" Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) Board member Paul Paz met with culinary students at Salem's CTEC (Career Technical Education Center) to facilitate a hospitality workshop and presentations earlier this week. Management and staff from the Salem Convention Center and Bentley's Grill participated by sharing their career stories and OHF's Lupe Arellano was was on hand to talk about career opportunities within the hospitality industry. This was part of the CTEC Salem-Keizer Learning that WORKS program that helps "prepare high school students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation." Whiskey Lovers Take Note: Ticket sales for ORLA's annual Swig & Savor Whiskey Event went on sale today for the August 26 event at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. Purchase your tickets now and join distillers, master blenders and other enthusiasts to taste a multitude of special whisk(e)y pours from around the world, curated into one spectacular night. National Small Business Week: Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, released the following statement today marking National Small Business Week: “Six in ten hotels are small businesses, and National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the tremendous opportunities hotels are creating for employees and other small companies to grow and thrive,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Hotels support millions of good-paying jobs and generate billions in state and local tax revenue in communities across the nation. To continue doing so, we’re looking to hire more than 100,000 people around the country. With average hotel wages at near-record levels, better benefits than ever before, and unprecedented opportunity to move up the ranks, there’s never been a better time to start a hotel career.” Background Info:
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Oregon’s Largest Multicultural Festival is back with the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA) and Treadway Events' 36th annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 5-7th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. The PGSCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships and fostering goodwill between the City of Portland, and the City of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, since 1983. ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research. Not a member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
Liquor Surcharge / Minimum Wage Increase / Award Nominations / Get Involved Public Comments Requested on 50-cent Surcharge Increase: OLCC is seeking public comment on a possible increase of the current 50-cent surcharge on each bottle of distilled spirits to one dollar per bottle. The Commissioners will listen to verbal comments on this at the April 20, and May 18, 2023 Commission meetings. ORLA is in alignment with the Oregon Beverage Alliance in opposing this increase and encourages industry members to take action and provide input on how this may impact your business' bottom line. Oregon's Minimum Wage Climbs: BOLI announced late last week that Oregon's minimum wage will increase by 70 cents per hour on July 1, 2023. State law requires an adjustment to the minimum wage to be calculated no later than April 30 of each year based on annualized inflation rates, rounded to the nearest 5 cents. The consumer price index climbed 5% from March 2022 to March 2023. The minimum wage rates will increase as follows:
Nominate Your Star Employees: Oregon’s hospitality industry is full of amazing individuals who go above and beyond, raising the bar for excellence in service, performance, and commitment to their team, organization, and the industry. Nominations are now open for the statewide ORLA Hospitality Industry Awards which seek to recognize some of these outstanding individuals who truly exemplify Oregon hospitality. In addition to the Employee of the Year, we are also accepting nominations for the Restaurateur of the Year, Lodging Operator of the Year, and new this year a Team Leader of the Year (mid-level employee, supervisor, or director). Submit nominations by June 30, 2023. New Oregon Hospitality Foundation Workforce Blog: The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is laser focused on workforce development initiatives to do what we can to build bridges between hospitality industry employers and workers seeking employment opportunities. In an effort to keep lines of communication open with all industry operators interested in connecting with future employees for their operations, the Foundation has launched a new Workforce Blog. Follow what's happening in workforce development efforts and reach out to us if you're interested in getting involved. Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Awards: Travel Oregon announced the recipients of the Oregon Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Awards during the 2023 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Oregon Convention Center. Read more about all the awards winners. ORLA Members -Get Involved in Your Association: The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is multi-faceted with a variety of different opportunities for professional development amongst hospitality professionals, including board and committee service, program participation, and networking. For those looking to get involved in some way in their state association, check out the numerous activities and opportunities for you to get involved and make the most out of your membership. Are You a Member Yet? The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) keeps members informed and educated on important issues impacting the hospitality industry. If you are not yet a member of ORLA, please consider joining the association in order to access the latest industry intelligence for businesses like yours. Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
Legislative Bill Movement / Skills Standards / Celebrating Women Restaurateurs / Webinars & Events Legislative Bill Updates: ORLA's Government Affairs Committee continues its weekly calls to review and discuss the latest activity from the legislative session. As of today, SB 619 (data privacy) has moved forward with private right of action removed; HB 3308 (alcohol delivery) has moved to rules – this would set up a "server training" program for third-party delivery companies as well as a separation of liability; SB 545 (reusable containers) is expected to pass with legislative intent to make it optional to accept those types of containers. See the latest Bill Tracking online. Hospitality Industry Standards Feedback Survey: The Oregon Hospitality Foundation has been working with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Education Northwest the past couple months to help identify high school technical skills and standards for employment in the hospitality career cluster. This is critical work in getting our foot back in the door of Oregon high schools and it will also raise awareness about the intentional workforce development work through our Hospitality Foundation. Employers are encouraged to take this survey to help review and validate the technical skills we helped to identify for the ODE. Please provide your input by April 14, 2023. Biggest Industry Show in the Northwest: The Northwest Food Show kicks off Sunday, April 16 at the Portland Expo Center with hundreds of exhibit booths, emerging products and services, alcohol tasting pavilion, and Trends Center. Just announced are the educational programs in the new Trends Center each day: Explore trends to improve your business, and learn best practices from peers in these interactive presentations, designed to showcase tangible solutions you can implement tomorrow and increase your bottom line. Learn more and register online. Celebrating Women in Portland's Restaurant Industry: Plans are underway for the Women Who Stir the Pot event May 22, presented by the Portland Kitchen Cabinet and the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. This event will be held at Mother’s Bistro and celebrates women in the restaurant industry, recognizing the contributions they make. Learn more. Upcoming Webinars:
ORLA in the news...
As always, should you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Representative. Thank you for staying engaged! Are You a Member Yet? The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) keeps members informed and educated on important issues impacting the hospitality industry. If you are not yet a member of ORLA, please consider joining the association in order to access the latest industry intelligence for businesses like yours. Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
Legislative Update / ORLA in the News / ProStart Championships / New Mattress Stewardship Act Next Legislative Deadline Approaching: April 4, 2023, is the date bills need to be moved out of policy committees in their chamber of origin. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee continues with Zoom meetings every Friday morning fostering good discussion and updates on legislative activity. If you are interested in joining, please sign up and we'll connect with you before next week's call. You can find the latest bill tracking on our website. All in all, we’re pleased with where we are in advocating for members at this stage in the session. ORLA in News: On several occasions these past few weeks ORLA has been tapped for industry perspective on various issues, industry events and insights. Here are some highlights:
Mattress Stewardship Act: The Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public comment on proposed rules for the Mattress Stewardship Act (SB 1576, 2022). More information on this rulemaking, including the draft rules, can be found on the Mattress Stewardship 2023 Rulemaking web page. DEQ will accept comments by email, postal mail or verbally at the public hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Start time: 9 a.m.; please register prior to the meeting, using this Zoom link. Send via postal mail to Oregon DEQ, Attn: Rachel Harding/Materials Management, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600, Portland, Oregon 97232-4100. DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rules that DEQ receives by 4 p.m., on April 28, 2023. Are You a Member Yet? The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) keeps members informed and educated on important issues impacting the hospitality industry. If you are not yet a member of ORLA, please consider joining the association in order to access the latest industry intelligence for businesses like yours. Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
A Smart Use of Local Lodging Tax Dollars
As of January 1, 2023, a 2% increase in local lodging tax has been in effect in Lane County. How these new revenues will be spent is still undecided. The Board of Commissioners held a meeting back in September to hear public comments in support of proposals including building a new stadium for the Emeralds baseball team and an indoor multi-use stadium. ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley, along with a few ORLA members, provided testimony at the hearing urging Lane County Commissioners to use any new increase in lodging tax toward an indoor multi-use facility. The following summarizes why we think an indoor facility is a smarter use for those tourism revenues: As hospitality businesses continue to try and recover from the two and a half years of the global pandemic, the shutdowns that occurred because of that pandemic and the ongoing issues of inflation, rising gas prices and continued supply chain issues, there is a clear need for more stable, year-round revenue from visitors to help that recovery. Summer demand is already high in Lane County as visitors enjoy outdoor recreation, wine tasting, various festivals and sporting events and other activities undertaken during the summer months when the weather is favorable. During the winter months and shoulder seasons however, especially January through March, visitors are less likely to visit and support our local economy. Therefore, we believe the best use of any new increase in TLT is growing winter travel demand. TLT reinvested in our challenging winter economy is good for local businesses, from hotels to restaurants and retail and will support year-round employment. Additionally, increasing visitor demand in winter will grow TLT revenue for all recipient programs and jurisdictions. Finally, increases in TLT should be used in ways relevant to drawing visitors, putting “heads in beds” and continuing to increase overall TLT revenue. ORLA supports investment in an indoor multi-use sports facility, with the added feature of a hydraulic, banked 200m track. This facility can accommodate a wide range of sports tournaments, events and offer temperature-controlled emergency response in all seasons. This represents a much-needed investment in facilities serving local youth and all ages who participate in healthy activities, while also drawing visitors in winter. The Eugene/Springfield metro area is underbuilt related to active and healthy indoor facility space compared to national averages. Multi-use sports facilities draw visitors, are recession resistant and are good for our community health. Visitors already know and love Eugene and the surrounding areas of Lane County in summertime. Investing in an indoor multi-use sports facility will allow them the opportunity to experience it during the winter months and shoulder seasons helping to support local jobs, the local economy and the overall health of the community. We encourage the use of any increase in the TLT rate to go toward this endeavor. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Representative Terry Hopkins or Greg Astley. Legislative Activity / ProStart Champions / Restaurant Business Conditions Survey ORLA Bill Tracking: Today is the day legislative bills need to get scheduled for work sessions or else they get left behind (a.k.a., die). As a reminder, ORLA's bill tracking software serves as a crucial tool in monitoring activity of bills with hospitality impacts and coordinating public testimony in front of committees in representation of the industry. See the latest activity on our Legislative Session page. Oregon ProStart Champions Head to Nationals: This past Monday, ten high schools competed in the Oregon Hospitality Foundation’s statewide Oregon ProStart® Championships showcasing their skills and teamwork. The culinary challenge for the student chefs was to prepare a three-course gourmet meal with only two butane burners in under an hour. Crook County High School pulled this off with excellence, winning top honors in the culinary competition. On the management side, McMinnville High School took first place earning them a trip alongside Crook County to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National ProStart Invitational May 2-4. ProStart is a nationwide career technical education (CTE) program that prepares high school students with fundamental skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and professionalism needed to enter the workforce. For a quick recap and video capturing some of the action, see the story on Here Is Oregon, "Oregon culinary students go head-to-head in a very polite food fight." For the full results, read our press release. Survey Shows Oregon Restaurants Still Challenged: The National Restaurant Association recently released key findings from a Restaurant Business Conditions survey conducted in November 2022. Oregon data was extracted to help illustrate what our industry is experiencing locally, including continued elevated costs across all parts of the operation and expected challenges with profitability to remain through 2023. Oregon operators took a number of actions in recent months as a result of higher cost. 78% of restaurants increased menu prices and 48% of restaurants reduced hours of operation. See more insights in Oregon's survey data. ORLA Day of Advocacy Fosters Relationship Building: Over 300 hospitality industry members, state agency representatives, legislators and staff participated in a day of activities co-hosted by ORLA and AAHOA February 21. The Capitol Day Assembly provided for Q&A sessions with invited representatives from several state agencies. After meetings at the Capitol, attendees enjoyed hosted food and beverages at the Taste Oregon Legislative Reception presented by DoorDash. The reception provided industry members the opportunity to meet our elected leaders face to face in a casual setting. Read more. Are You a Member Yet? The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) keeps members informed and educated on important issues impacting the hospitality industry. If you are not yet a member of ORLA, please consider joining the association in order to access the latest industry intelligence for businesses like yours. Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.
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