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Anthony Mangano,
CHA K. William Gunther, MS,
CHA Michael Hoffman Cynthia Hollowood NYSH&TA Staff Executive Office: Jan Marie Chesterton Nancy S. Sykes
Michael J. Curran Dave Walkowiak Ryan Blessing
Tina M. Bissaillon Communications: Cindy M. Milos
Susanne M. Keller
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Lend
your voice Politically, in this transition year—a new governor will be elected in November—lending your voice to important tourism issues that will directly affect your bottom line is vitally important.
In January, NYSH&TA’s Board of Directors agreed to, and have been, contacting their respective Senators and Assemblymembers to explain our industry needs and the economic opportunities available to regain our competitive position in the leisure travel market, the fastest-growing sector in the country.
In order to continue to be a proactive Association, I urge all of you to take the time out of your busy schedules to contact your respective legislators. (Click here for specific contact information). Just pick up the phone and call your legislators, as they are always eager to meet with their constituents. History has shown that an Association can affect greater change if it speaks with one voice on issues that directly impact the industry. This year, in addition to your specific regional issues, the statewide tourism industry issues include:
If you have any questions about these issues or would like some additional information to help you prepare for a meeting with your legislators, please contact me via e-mail dan@nyshta.org or by phone at 800-642-5313. Testimony on Tourism Issues On February 15th, I testified in front of members of the Joint Legislative Committee on Economic Development regarding tourism funding issues. My remarks centered on the Economic Development Budget, specifically tourism and the I Love NY Tourism Marketing Funds and Tourism Matching Funds Program.
I detailed that the State has sustained the I Love NY campaign, and it has derived considerable return on investment to the state’s economy from it. Unfortunately, the dollars set aside for the I Love NY marketing effort and the Matching Funds program—$11 million for I Love NY statewide advertising and $4.8 million for the Aid to Localities Matching Funds program—are not keeping pace with our competition or inflation.
To make the point that the I Love NY program is under funded, I referenced Travel Industry Association of America data which shows that New York State—ranked 11th nationally in tourism spending—trails Pennsylvania, which spends $33 million per year on tourism promotion, and the New England States, which utilize a $32.6 million tourism marketing budget. Those surrounding states are our chief competitors for the leisure traveler market.
I also referenced the Smith Travel research data through December 2005, which showed a slower growth in Rev Par in New York’s upstate regions compared to national averages. Upstate numbers were approximately 50% below the national average after the strong Occupancy and Rev Par growth in NYC was removed. This disparity suggests that a more focused effort, along with additional dollars for I Love NY, is necessary.
In my closing remarks I urged the Legislature to restore I Love NY funding to historic levels, and I thanked Tourism Legislative Chairs, Assemblymember Joseph D. Morelle and Senator Mary Lou Rath, for their leadership and recognition of the economic potential the tourism industry possesses. Through a series of roundtables in 2005 and consistent correspondence between their offices and the industry, we have been able to shape and express the industry’s need for more effective marketing and funding to provide additional economic returns for the State.
In our continuing effort to bring you together with your legislators, I am looking forward to seeing all of you at this years all new 2006 Tourism Showcase Reception on Tuesday, March 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. at The Egg – Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, NY.
You
need to know how to handle NYSH&TA has the contacts to help you avoid disaster Following a successful NYSH&TA-sponsored seminar on February 1st in Saratoga Springs—“Sexual Harassment in the Workplace”—NYSH&TA has received calls from members regarding possible harassment situations at their properties. Given the increasing diversity found in today’s workplaces, harassment prevention training has never been more integral to providing a respectful, comfortable workplace. And though employers are aware of the perils of sexual harassment, many are either unsure what to do about it or choose to ignore it.
The following is basic information, gleaned from the recent education session facilitated by PeopleSystems, a company that specializes in developing and implementing effective personnel policies and procedures.
Definition of Sexual Harassment:
What to do if an employee makes a complaint of harassment:
If
you have a harassment question, use your Association to get the correct,
legal answer. NYSH&TA Membership Services Manager Andy Carroll will
work with PeopleSystems to get you the answers you need. E-mail Andy,
or call him directly at 800-642-5313 ext. 11 for more information.
Legislators
eager to meet with you at Tourism Showcase Reception On Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at the Tourism Industry Coalition of New York State ’s (TIC) 2006 Tourism Showcase Reception you will have the opportunity to speak directly to your elected officials.
Three 2006 Legislative Receptions remain on schedule
To view monthly, year-to-date, lodging operating performance data by Smith Travel Research, click the link below:
Update of
Strategic Plan Review On January 19-20, 2006, NYSH&TA’s Board of Directors participated in a Strategic Planning meeting at The Warwick Hotel in New York City. The purpose of the meeting was to utilize the Board members’ insight and industry experience to help effectively set the direction of the Association. The results of the meeting—the Association’s plan for the next three years—are on NYSH&TA’s Web site for all members to review. Click here to view a copy of the updated 2006 Strategic Plan.
Board
of Directors Members listen as the
2006
Annual Conference set for April 23-25
Some of the key activities that NYSH&TA members participate in during the Annual Conference are education sessions, Board of Directors’ Meeting, Annual Meeting of the Members, an Allied Sponsored Trade Show, panel discussions, and the Stars of the Industry Gala and Awards Banquet.
NYSH&TA knows how valuable your time is to you and your property/business. This year’s Conference is designed with more industry-specific, key education sessions than ever before, including: *Energy Solutions *Meeting Planners’ Panel *Internet Marketing *Insurance Trends *Crisis Management *Immigration *College Student Forum.
The official brochure is on the Web! Make sure you reserve the time to meet with your industry peers and attend timely, informative educations sessions that will benefit you and your staff. Print
out a registration
form and sign-up today!
Don’t let your student employees miss out
The Fred and Gertrude England Hospitality Education Foundation is currently offering two scholarships for 2006, worth up to $5,000 towards tuition. The scholarship deadline for 2006 is April 10, 2006.
Realizing the challenges of working while achieving an education, the Foundation offers scholarships to full-time and part-time students majoring in the hospitality industry who are working at member properties, as well as dependents of employees working at member properties.
For more information, and to download an application go www.nyshta.org.
On February 16, the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE) awarded NYSH&TA the Association Excellence Award for Meetings & Conventions for its long-running Stars of the Industry program. Introduced at NYSH&TA’s 1994 Annual Conference, the Stars of the Industry Awards Gala recognizes the exemplary professionalism and exceptional service of individuals in the hospitality and tourism industry. The program honors individuals, properties and organizations — chosen by a panel of esteemed judges — that set the standard of excellence and have helped make the industry the success that it is today.
NYSH&TA Events Director Debra Trulli-Cassale, left, accepts the Association Excellence Award for Meetings & Conventions.
Association-wide survey results now available online
The survey results were used for the Association’s Strategic Review Meeting in New York City on January 19-20, 2006. At that meeting, the Board of Directors mapped out a strategic plan for the Association to follow for the next several years.
Association Directory gives you detailed member contact information Use it as a purchasing resource By now, you should have received your 2006 Buyers’ Guide and Membership Directory, complete with detailed member contact information. It is the main purchasing resource for the more than 1,400 NYSH&TA members. Recent survey results show that this book is not only used by general managers and owner/operators, but by department heads responsible for purchasing. If you did not receive the Directory, please call 800-642-5313 or e-mail Tina at tina@nyshta.org to receive a copy.
NYSH&TA would like to thank member Randall Perry Photography LLC for providing the pictures used on the cover. New Money-Saving Program! Join USA Today's high visibility, low cost members-only ad plan It's impossible to gain this level of exposure for less. USA TODAY is now providing an exclusive, branded directory of individual property advertisements for members. This dedicated directory, within USA TODAY's "Travel Today" feature in "Destinations & Diversions”, runs every Friday. Reach an audience of 3.4 million affluent leisure travelers for as little as $611 for a single unit ad. And, an introductory offer for NYSH&TA and AH&LA members: Buy 4 ads, get 4 free (offer good through 3/31/06). Enhanced listings on USATODAY.com's online hotel directory can also be purchased for 3 months for $100 for a limited time. For more information, click here or call (800) 872-3433, and choose selection #2 .
The
program is designed to give properties with limited advertising resources
the opportunity to participate in “big brand” publications.
For larger version of this ad, click here or on the image above. To view all of NYSH&TA's Money-Saving Programs, click here.
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