Membership can get you to recovery

By Lisa Leinberger

Membership in the Washington Hospitality Association has so many benefits. If you asked your fellow members why they keep renewing you will probably get many responses. As an association, we are constantly publishing the information you need on the hospitality website, finding cost-saving programs or connecting members with our small business advisors. There is an endless number of reasons for joining the Washington Hospitality Association.

Cost savings programs

Your territory manager can explain that being part of a large group means that you have access to collective buying power that you don’t have on your own. Your return on investment makes it all worthwhile. Your territory manager can introduce you to cost savings programs such as WorkSafe, formerly known as Retro. Our credit card processing solutions are significantly lower in cost than most programs, and we have business insurance solutions, healthcare solutions and more, including:

• Human resource administration services

• Workforce solutions

• Commuter benefits

• Employee discounts

• Music licensing discounts

Christopher Forczyk and his wife, Marianne, purchased the Seattle restaurant Smith in July 2019, not long before the pandemic began.

Someone told him, “If you need anything, call Cathy.” The person they were talking about was Cathy Fox, his territory manager at the Washington Hospitality Association.

“Everything’s gone out of the ordinary,” Forczyk said. But Cathy has been there for him through the pandemic, getting him advice about how to set up catering services, helping him navigate Liquor and Cannabis licensing and letting him know what is new with COVID restrictions.

“She has just been an angel,” he said.

Forczyk said that the benefits of being a member are certainly good, but the special touches of his territory manager to keep him informed of issues kept him afloat. Through her he learned about the Paycheck Protection Program, many grants and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. He attends webinars and meetings through the association and has also been able to consult with an attorney through the Advisory Network.

He said he is still here because of Cathy’s advice.

Forczyk knows first-hand how territory managers help members through a lot during difficult times. They can also help you find cost-savings programs to keep costs down.

• Group purchasing

• Business supplies and printing

Dan Koommoo and his wife, Mollie are ready to celebrate the sixth anniversary of their Yakima restaurant and bar Crafted. He also spent 27 years in the industry working for a large hotel chain. He knows there is so much critical information out there for hospitality businesses.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” he said.

When he worked for a large company, the corporate offices would send him the information he needed. As a small business owner, he appreciates the information he gets from his territory manager, Robbin Stafford, and the association.

Koommoo said that he wants the Yakima community to move away from franchises and to emphasize what is great about the local flavors. He also wants to get other restaurant owners talking with each other and for them to join the association. Robbin Stafford is the key to getting local businesses to join and get organized.

“We don’t operate like King County. It’s really important for us in Eastern Washington to have a voice,” he said.

A saving grace

You can always pick up the phone and call your territory manager when you need advice running your business. Whether its telling you what you will need to apply for a grant or who to contact if you want to get involved either locally or at the state level, your territory manager is there for you.

“The Washington Hospitality Association has been an incredible resource in a very chaotic season for the restaurant/hospitality industry,” said Desiree Seghetti-Sulpizio, operations manager at Commellini Estate in Spokane. “The community and advocacy that comes with the association, especially throughout these past two years, has been a saving grace.” and provided information and numerous tools for our growing family-run business,” she said. “Truthfully, becoming a member was one of the best decisions we made for our business and employees.”

But Seghetti-Sulpizio said that what she receives from the association was important to her even before the pandemic.

You can reach out to your territory manager with any questions you may have about running your business—they are truly there to help you so you can get back to what you do best: delivering hospitality.

Find your territory manager’s contact information at join. wahospitality.org. ■