From the CEO

Choose Engagement and Take Your Seat at the Table

October marks the beginning of a new fiscal year at the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to begin moving through a new year free of the challenges presented to us during Covid which limited our engagement opportunities with members and elected leaders. I want to take a moment to thank our outgoing board members as well as our Board Chair for this past year, John Barofsky, co-owner of Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria in Eugene. Jim Hall, Richard Boyles, and Randy Xavier: thank you for devoting your time and energy as members of ORLA’s Board of Directors.

As an industry, we are embarking on a new chapter as we return to service for our customers. It is clear the industry has always and will continue to play an integral role in society and its importance has been elevated as the world experienced what life is like without hospitality.

We realize many of our ORLA members continue to be stretched too thin and engaging once again in the association may feel daunting or impractical. Know that ORLA is here for you when you’re ready and have opportunities to work on your business. Our industry continues to be the second largest employer in the state behind healthcare with the Oregon Employment Department projecting our industry to grow the fastest through the year 2030. We want to encourage you to seize one of the opportunities below for your business and plan to join us at the association in making a difference for the industry in the year ahead. Make sure to continue using OregonRLA.org as your key resource to stay on top of engagement details below as well as many other industry happenings impacting business in Oregon.

ORLA Launches New “Share Your Story” Online Tool

One of the first tools of its kind in the nation has been set up online for you to efficiently share your hospitality story. Content from recorded videos will make a meaningful difference as ORLA advocates for our restaurant and lodging members. We see content from this new resource being utilized for our government affairs and workforce development goals outlined in our multi-year strategic plan. Take any device you have with a camera and click the link online to record your story and assist ORLA in bringing authenticity to our many stakeholder conversations. The power of your story can be a difference maker in protecting and improving business conditions for Oregon’s hospitality industry. Visit OregonRLA.org/ShareYourStory

Online Applications Open for Year 4 of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA)

We have seen incredible outcomes resulting from OTLA involvement over the course of the past three years and we are excited to launch the open application process for the Year 4 group. We cover four key pillars within the program experience with the assistance of Michele Leedom, owner of Clinton Street Consulting and our partners at Travel Oregon and the Oregon Destination Association. Those pillars include championing the value of tourism in our Oregon communities, optimizing the statewide economic impact of tourism, supporting and empowering Oregon’s tourism industry, and running effective tourism-oriented organizations and businesses.

The OTLA program has included a cross section of professionals tied to Oregon’s tourism industry from private sector for-profit entities, public sector staff, and non-profit executives. We hope to continue this trend in Year 4 as the dynamics within the class create the fuel for a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. To learn more and apply, visit: OregonRLA.org/OTLA

ORLA Regional Meetings Launch Across Oregon in November, December, and January

Regardless of how the election turns out in November, we will have a new Governor, a new Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner, and a record number of new faces in our State House and State Senate. I want to encourage you all to take part in ORLA’s regional meetings taking place across the state once we have election results in. ORLA will host meetings for members with new legislators before they go to Salem in February to make sure our elected officials understand our industry issues and can be partners with us in improving the climate for small businesses in Oregon.

The dates, times, and locations for upcoming regional meetings can be accessed through the main page of ORLA’s website so you can attend and share your story with these important lawmakers. Also, I want to encourage anyone interested to reach out to Greg Astley, ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs to get involved in our Government Affairs Committee. It’s a great way to stay on top of policy issues and make sure your voice is heard. Greg can be reached at astley@oregonrla.org.  JASON BRANDT, PRESIDENT &

CEO, ORLA