3 minute read
Share Your Story
Uncovering the Real Faces of the Hospitality Industry
My first job out of high school was as a front desk agent, and I can’t tell you how many times family and friends asked me why I chose to work at a hotel over another job and why I was ok with “just” being a front desk agent. Well, that “just” encouraged me to learn and grow and set me on a beautiful journey to where I am today – advocating for our future workforce through the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) and the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF). Starting at a front desk taught me so many life skills that have continued in my day-to-day life, like the power of listening and understanding, how being in the customer service industry makes you a better person, and remembering that we are all humans that make mistakes–so instead of arguing let’s compromise and reach our goals. My journey of working in this industry has allowed me the flexibility to dive deep into my passion on many levels like traveling the world and getting to experience different cultures, cuisines,
Advertisement
March 13, 2023 • Salem Convention Center
Support high school teams from across Oregon as they compete in the state culinary and management competitions!
EXPERIENCE HOW OREGON PROSTART CHANGES LIVES.
ATTEND the annual invitational with both management and culinary competitions and experience students in action!
VOLUNTEER to spend a few hours supporting our industry’s stars of tomorrow.
JUDGE culinary and management skills and provide constructive feedback.
MENTOR your local high school students and lend a hand.
DONATE to the Oregon ProStart program and support our future culinary workforce.
SPONSOR the competition or a school team by contacting Marla McColly at MMcColly@OregonRLA.org
For more info, contact Courtney Smith, 503.682.4422 | CSmith@OregonRLA.org
and job opportunities. This industry trained me on how to handle different life experiences, allowed me to go to college, and truthfully built a solid foundation for me as a leader today.
My hospitality story is not unlike many others’ and it’s worth sharing not only with those who may be thinking about a career in this industry but also with boards and policymakers who are hearing the same old narrative about our industry.
The Oregon Hospitality Foundation is wanting to Share Your Story. We’re partnering with the National Restaurant Association in efforts to help change the narrative of what others think of our industry. We’ve launched a new tool that allows professionals to share their hospitality stories in quick, 90-second videos directly uploaded to the cloud, and you don’t have to save it on your phone or email it to anyone; it’s a one-stop shop. The Oregon Hospitality Foundation knows that everyone has their own story to tell with many different backgrounds to share, and with this video recording tool, it instantly uploads to where we can use it as a resource. Data collected will be deployed for various purposes and serve as the necessary infrastructure to communicate the industry's value to state agencies, elected officials, school districts, and parents/students.
These videos will allow the Oregon Hospitality Foundation to transform the negative bias of our industry into a more positive narrative. Share Your Story will be personalized and relatable in more ways than you can imagine. Examples of these stories could come from people who started as dishwashers and are now restaurant owners, housekeepers that are now General Managers or owners of hotels, and so much more. The point is to share that the hospitality industry is full of opportunities and can lead to more than just a job but a successful career. Sharing your career journey will not only help our future workforce understand all the possibilities but also our legislators, teachers, parents, industry partners, and ultimately everyone.
Take a minute to share your journey!
Visit OregonRLA.org/ShareYourStory for an explainer video as Jason Brandt, ORLA President & CEO, provides an example of how he first got his start in this industry. Then when you are ready, click the record button to capture your own story. There are prompts that can help guide you through your message. The OHF and ORLA will share these stories with lawmakers and influencers in Oregon. Remember, every voice matters!
Thank you for making a difference in our hospitality industry. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. COURTNEY SMITH, OREGON
