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K. William Gunther, MS, CHA Michael Hoffman Cynthia D. Hollowood, CHA NYSH&TA Staff Executive Office: Jan Marie Chesterton, IOM Nancy S. Sykes
Julie A. Goodfriend
Tracy Detrick Dave Walkowiak Pat Hedden
Darcy Lyle Tina M. Bissaillon Communications: John Peters
Trish Bergan
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Conference & Expo Delivers Value During Tough Economic Times
On April 26-28 your state lodging Association held its Conference & Expo in Saratoga Springs. We were very impressed with the turnout, especially during these tough economic times. Attendance was driven by the quality and relevancy of our education seminars and panel discussions which touched on the following topics:
The feedback we received from attendees following the sessions was incredibly positive. The expert opinions of the speakers as well as the idea sharing among attendees delivered a substantial ROI for those who participated. Once gain this year, the highlight of the Conference & Expo was our Stars of the Industry Gala & Award Banquet. It is a moving experience for all in attendance to see the industry’s finest, who are nominated by their managers, supervisors and/or peers, being recognized in such a public setting. Many first-time attendees commented to me about how moving it was to see some of the industry’s unsung heroes being honored as the “best of the best.” Wage Board As many of you know, a 2009 New York State Wage Board has been appointed by Commissioner of Labor M. Patricia Smith. Its purpose is to consider and recommend changes in the regulations governing the minimum wage and tips paid to hotel and restaurant industry workers. The Board is now soliciting public input. I am one of six representatives on the Wage Board. There are two people representing management, two representing unions and two representing the general public. Based upon the first Wage Board meeting on April 22, the Union representatives are campaigning to eliminate all tip credits for service employees. There is also pressure to combine wage orders for restaurants and hotels, including subparts for resort hotels. Therefore, it is important for the lodging industry to attend these public hearings and voice concerns relative to these issues and recommend changes, if necessary, to the regulations governing the wages and tips paid to workers in the hotel and restaurant industries. Below is a link to the Wage Board Page on the NYS Department of Labor’s website. New information will be posted as it becomes available. http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/ I encourage you to attend the Public Hearings that are taking place around the state in May. This is your opportunity to ask questions and express concerns regarding any of these issues. See below for location details:
The deadline for submitting written comments is June 3, 2009. Please contact NYSH&TA President Dan Murphy with any questions or comments at 518-465-2300 or dan@nyshta.org. In closing, I would like to remind you that we are working closely with I Love NY again this year on the state’s summer promotion (buy 2 get the 3rd night free). We sent many e-mails to the full membership this month and I trust you took the time to review and participate in this program. It is geared to help bring more travelers to your front door this summer. I wish you a successful summer season and please remember to call us here at the office (518-465-2300) with any questions. We are here for you. Sincerely,
Daniel C. Murphy, NYSH&TA President
Conference & Expo Showcases New Products and Ideas
2009 Conference & Expo attendees visited over 40 exhibitors at the Trade Show including Procter & Gamble at the Saratoga City Center. The New York State Lodging and Tourism community had the chance to meet new vendors, try new products and listen to informative panelists at the 2009 Conference & Expo, held at the Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs from April 26-28, 2009. The Expo featured over 40 exhibitors including Procter & Gamble, E-Chx Inc., Sealy and Audubon International. New York State hoteliers had the chance to interact with exhibitors during the Annual Silent Auction and the keynote luncheon. The keynote address at the luncheon was delivered by Don Landry, Owner of Top Ten, an independent hospitality consulting firm. He focused on how to succeed and emerge as a leader in the hospitality business.
Panelists at the "Eco"nomics of Going Green seminar informed hoteliers about how to make the right eco-friendly decisions at their property.
The Conference and Expo's first seminar The "Eco"nomics of Going Green was facilitated by Pat Maher, The Maher Group. Panelists included Ed Smyth, representing NYSERDA's Focus on Hospitality, Jennifer Holderied, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Lake Placid and Jeff Sama, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The seminar was packed with NYSH&TA members as they learned how their properties can benefit by becoming more environmentally friendly. "Going green is an excellent financial decision," said Jennifer Holderied, Owner of the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. "All of the decisions our property has made has saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars." John Tsunis, Chairman and CEO of Long Island Hotels, LLC and NYSH&TA Board of Directors member, facilitated the legislative panel The First 100 Days and What it means for the Lodging Industry, which included panelists Marlene Colucci, Executive Vice President for Public Policy at American Hotel and Lodging Association, Mary Ann McLean, Partner at Wilson Elser and Heather Briccetti, Vice President of Government Affairs at the NYS Business Council. The session outlined the most important legislation and regulations affecting the lodging industry and the importance of being informed about issues and cotnacting your local legislators.
Update on Legislative and Regulatory Actions for 2009 The 2009 Legislative Session is about half over and the budget process is finally complete. Many policy issues are still unresolved, including the deficit in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that is the primary agenda item for the legislature at this time. Below is an overview of the current state of the 2009 Legislative Session, its budget numbers and policy issues. NYSH&TA will continue to monitor these and any other issues presented that affect the hospitality industry as the Legislative Session continues. Budget Wrap-up The funding for “I Love NY” was reduced another $2 million to $9,015,000 while maintaining the Tourism Matching Grant program at $4,171,000 and funding the Explore NY program at $980,000. The budget appropriated $1.5 million for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebrations. Additionally, the final budget included a provision that expands the state’s current returnable container act to include bottled water and flavored water that does not use sugar. Containers of liquor and wine remain exempt under this legislation. The final budget also establishes two new personal income tax brackets, which the state estimates will generate four billion dollars annually. Many proposed provisions did not make it into the final budget; a number of the proposed taxes and fees on amusement charges, including a tax on all amusement charges, including tickets for theatres, amusement parks, fairs, race tracks, golf courses, and bowling alleys. Jan Marie Chesterton, NYSH&TA Vice President, testified before the Joint Tourism Committee in February regarding the so called “amusement tax.” She successfully detailed how this onerous legislation would have devastated New York State ’s tourism community. This article was prepared by Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP, 677 Broadway Albany, NY 12207 and is issued for the general information of members of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association Inc. It is not intended to constitute legal advice to any NYSH&TA member in particular. This document is not to be reprinted or copied without permission of the Association.
2009 Stars of the Industry Winners Announced
At the 2009 Stars of the Industry Gala and Awards Banquet, 11 lucky winners representing different regions of the state, were announced. The Stars of the Industry was sponsored by Procter & Gamble Professional, along with E-Chx, Inc. as the Awards sponsor. The ceremony was hosted by Kathryn Hauser, anchor of Fox 23 News in Albany. The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Lake Placid was the recipient of the newest award category, the Good Earthkeeping Award, for developing a culture toward improving everyday operations and their bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. Pete Ames, Director of Maintenance at the Best Western University Inn, Canton, was the recipient of the Outstanding Lodging Employee (150 Rooms or Less) and the 2009 Pinnacle Award, which is given to an individual who epitomizes lifelong contributions to the industry.
Listed below are all of the Stars winners in their categories. Bed & Breakfast
of Distinction Award
Good Earthkeeping Award Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort Outstanding
Bellperson / Houseperson
Outstanding
Lodging Employee (151 Rooms or More)
Outstanding
Roomkeeper (150 Rooms or Less)
The 2009 Stars of the Industry Finalists and Winners.
Click for details
Phone Call Prank Alert! Make sure your staff is prepared It has come to our attention that prank phone callers are still targeting New York State hotels. How it happens: A phone call is made to the hotel, usually in the middle of the night. With the guest on the phone, the caller tells them there is a dangerous gas leak in the hotel and they must immediately place a wet towel under the door, smash the window and/or jump out. Multiple rooms are called during the course of the prank.
If you have additional questions about the prank, please contact NYSH&TA Membership Services Manager, Darcy Lyle, at 518-465-2300 ext 111 or darcy@nyshta.org
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2009 Spring Sales & Marketing Workshop for all Types of Properties Program delivered by hospitality specialist
Joanna Shows, President & Licensed Business Coach of ActionCOACH of Gotham
ANY salesperson, seasoned OR new, will benefit from the 2009 Spring Sales and Marketing Workshop. The workshop is being presented by Joanna Shows, Licensed Business Coach at ActionCOACH of Gotham, a hospitality business coaching firm.
This seminar presents the Five Best Practices to Construct a Business Outline, which looks at the number of customers, revenue, and profits as the results of what your property does in the areas of:
Below is a list of session dates and locations. All sessions run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Register at www.nyshta.org. Contact Debra Trulli-Cassale, Director of Education at (800) 642-5313, ext. 108 or e-mail her at debbie@nyshta.org.
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Long Island Hotelier Receives 2009 Statewide Leadership Award
John Tsunis stands with New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association Vice President, Jan Marie Chesterton, after accepting his leadership award. John C. Tsunis, Chairman and CEO of Long Island Hotel Group, Hauppauge, NY, has been awarded a State Leadership Award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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Statewide Hospitality Competition Champions Place Third in Nationals
New York State Lodging Management Program competition champions, Jane Addams High School, placed third in the National Competition, Orlando FL, pictured with Debra Trulli-Cassale, NYSH&TA Director of Education (Right). Four students from Jane Addams High School, Bronx, NY took third place at the National Lodging Management Program Competition held April 16-18, 2009. The three-day event at the Orlando Airport Marriott challenged students to the real-life work experiences in a hotel. The Jane Addams team included students Karina Lopez , Gloria Gallegos, Alina Almonte, Johana Gutierrez and their instructor, Merlene McDonald. Teams of students displayed their proficiency while competing in three contests:
"The students were well prepared and they impressed the panel of judges with their knowledge of the hospitality industry," said Debra Trulli-Cassale, NYSH&TA Director of Education. "NYSH&TA is proud of Jane Addams High School's accomplishments and the professional manner in which they conducted themselves at the national competition." The Lodging Management Program gives 11th and 12th grade high school students the chance to explore real-life career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry and promotes growing career opportunities in the tourism industry.
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How to Deal with Underage Guests During Prom Season Order NYSH&TA's free prom night survival guide
The Prom Night Survival Guide is the essential guide for developing House Rules specific to your property and how to deal with underage drinking. Every spring, NYSH&TA members call the office seeking clarification on what can and cannot be done by hotel and motel owners (innkeepers) during prom season to protect their property. NYSH&TA has produced this guide to serve as a valuable resource for its members. The survival guide addresses the following topics:
Click here for your free Prom Night Survival Guide Remember that you need your member ID number to access the Prom Night Survival Guide. If you don't know your ID number, please e-mail Tina Bissaillon, Membership Assistant at tina@nyshta.org or call her at (800) 642-5313. If you have any questions to prepare for a prom night, please contact Darcy Lyle, NYSH&TA Membership Services Manager at (800) 642-5313, ext. 111 or e-mail her at darcy@nyshta.org.
By David J. Swarts, Commissioner, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Starting June 1, in order to get back into the United States from a trip, travelers will be required to produce a document that proves they are a U.S. citizen.
An enhanced driver license is one new form of identification that can be used to cross the border between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This new requirement is part of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 and the resulting Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Beginning in June all persons taking a trip across land and sea borders into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean will be required to produce a passport or other federally-approved identification document. In response to the need for these new documents, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began issuing an economical Enhanced Driver License (EDL) in September, 2008. This EDL has been approved as proof of citizenship and as an alternative to a passport for land and sea border crossings into the U.S. The complete list of acceptable documents and additional information can be found on the DMV website at www.nysdmv.com/edl.htm Kate Georges, Director of Marketing for the New York State DMV writes: "If NYSH&TA members would like any colorful posters, brochures or other public informational materials, they may contact the DMV warehouse at (518) 861-6328, extension 117. All materials will be shipped free of charge. Additionally, all materials (except posters) are downloadable from the NYS DMV website at www.nysdmv.com
Question: What happens if a hotel in my competitive set does not participate in Smith Travel Research? Answer: STR is continually soliciting hotels to participate in its programs. Non-reporting hotel performance is estimated by using the average of reporting hotels in the competitive set. Please contact Darcy Lyle, NYSH&TA Membership Services Manager at (800) 642-5313 ext. 111 or e-mail her at darcy@nyshta.org if you have any STR questions.
To view monthly, year-to-date, lodging operating performance data by Smith Travel Research, click the link below:
Paychex provides payroll processing, human resource and benefits outsourcing solutions. Additionally, the company provides payroll tax and business tax payment services, direct deposit, retirement services, and section 125 plan administration. NYSH&TA members are entitled to special member discounts. NYSH&TA offers its membership programs that can save your business money. To view all of the programs, and details on how each one can benefit your bottom line, click here. If you are interested in having this publication sent to members of your staff or peers, please contact Membership Services Manager Darcy Lyle at 800-642-5313 ext 111 or e-mail her directly at darcy@nyshta.org.
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