4 minute read
Your communications team has the answers
By Lisa Leinberger
Washington Hospitality Association’s communications team has kept you informed of breaking news throughout the pandemic. One of the association’s four pillars is being your primary source for news and information. Now that the governor has lifted mask restrictions and positive cases are dwindling, the team is transitioning from acting as a breaking news source to helping you get back to business and find success during what is now the COVID endemic.
HERO
Every year, your communications team updates the Handbook for Excellent Restaurant
Operations (HERO). In it you will find the latest in regulatory information and much more. What’s new this year? We have information about:
2022 updates to Washington state’s food code Optional serviceware Single-use plastic bags Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) Closed-captioning requirements Cocktails to-go
The HERO is available to members at access.wahospitality.org. Also new this year: The HERO has moved to an online-only format so we can update it as changes happen. We’ll let you know when we publish changes, so be sure to keep an eye out for announcements.
Northwest Hospitality Leadership Podcast
There is a labor scarcity everywhere and Washington hospitality businesses are certainly feeling it. During the pandemic, many of our employees found work in other industries and many decided to leave the workforce altogether. And it was hard to find employees even before the pandemic. We know that you have had significant turnover and that you and your managers need to find new ways to lead.
We have the information you need!
Whichever way you prefer getting the hospitality information you need, we are here for you. Check out all we have to offer and if you have any questions, you can reach us at news@wahospitality.org.
To help you get there, the Washington Hospitality Association produced the Northwest Hospitality Leadership Podcast in partnership with the Table Group, a consulting firm that specializes in organizational health founded by author Patrick Lencioni. In each episode Washington Hospitality Association President & CEO Anthony Anton discusses leadership and business culture with leaders from Washington hospitality businesses and members of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. You can find our complete library of the podcast at wahospitality.org/news/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Webinars and podcasts
The last two years have been filled with changing mask, vaccine, food code and operational regulations. One place to get answers to your questions about regulatory and other changes is our webinars. If you miss a live presentation, you can always catch up later.
On the first Wednesday of every month, Anthony Anton presents the CEO Podcast. It’s a podcast but also a webinar, so if you attend in real time you can ask Anthony anything. Or find the CEO Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, download it at wahospitality.org/news/podcast or watch it on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/WAHospitality.
When new employee regulations arise and cause confusion, employment lawyer Catharine Morisset from Fisher Phillips will walk you through what you need to know and answer your questions. All of her webinars are available on our members-only site at access.wahospitality.org.
Financial consultant Rick Braa from AMP Services is our “Hospitality Profit.” He answers your questions about grants, tax credits, profitability and more during his webinars. If you miss Rick live, you can find him later on our YouTube channel.
Toolkits
This year we’ve seen issues with the supply chain. The new state food code went into effect on March 1. And huge summer wildfires that fill the skies with smoke across the state are becoming the norm. When challenges like these arise, check out our toolkits. You will find helpful links, articles and many other tools you need to navigate complex issues. Find all our toolkits at wahospitality.org/blog/category/resources/toolkits.
Newsletters
Our communications team puts together several newsletters with the news you need and sends them directly to your inbox.
Every week, the communications team collects the important stories you need to read and includes them in the Washington Hospitality Weekly. Look for it in your email every Thursday afternoon.
During the legislative session, we compile the Legislative News. In it, you’ll find updates on legislation our government affairs team supports, opposes or is working to modify. When you get an Action Alert, you can contribute to the legislative process by letting your lawmakers know how you feel about proposed legislation.
Our chapters in Spokane and Seattle send out their own local newsletters featuring what the local government affairs team is working on and learn how members can get involved.
We also have More for Your Margin, a monthly email that features programs that can help your bottom line.
If you aren’t already subscribed and would like to receive any of these email newsletters, please contact your territory manager.
Websites
Where is the one place you can find all the information we’ve covered here? Wahospitality.org is the site you should bookmark to find all the news you need. If you are looking for local news in Spokane, visit Spokanehospitality.com. For local Seattle Restaurant Alliance news, visit seattlerestaurantalliance.com, and if you are a Seattle hotelier, go to seattlehotelassociation.org.
Social media
This year, we launched a private Facebook group so you can hear directly from your territory managers and get access to information and events that are exclusive to the members of the Washington Hospitality
Association. Join the conversation at facebook. com/groups/wahospitality.
We also have public-facing social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Search “wahospitality” to find us. ■
