Top News...

New Website Coming Soon - OLA is working on redesigning a new website complete with all the member services, legal resources, industry information and much more. This comprehensive site will include a members-only section with valuable resources and information that benefits our members. Look for the new site to launch early summer.

Travel Guide Launches - The Oregon Trip Planner, produced by Travel Oregon in partnership with the Oregon Lodging Association and MEDIAmerica, replaces the long-standing annual publication, Where to Stay in Oregon. This new comprehensive state-wide travel piece will serve as an itinerary planning piece to be used by travelers actively planning an Oregon visit. The guide is currently being distributed to state welcome centers, airports and visitor’s centers across the state and all OLA member properties will receive a guide in the mail along with an order form to request additional copies. Travel Oregon will serve as the distributor for all direct inquiries.

Industry Award Nominations Sought - OLA plans to expand on its traditional awards - Innkeeper of the Year and Industry Partner of the Year - by adding an award to recognize an outstanding Employee of the Year. This award will pay special recognition to frontline employees who go above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominations are open and we encourage you to take serious consideration of your own staff for these awards. Click here for criteria and a nomination form. Awards will be presented during OLA’s annual conference in Sunriver on October 5-6, 2008, and includes a complimentary registration for the winners.

Compensation Survey Available - WageWatch conducts the most successful hospitality industry compensation survey in the nation As a member of OLA you are able to order a copy of the results through a link provided on our website. The results will provide you with current data on hiring rates and average compensation for all of the positions at your property, and will serve as a great tool for determining how well your compensation program stacks up against your competitors. OLA members who participated in the survey pay only $50 when ordering the report, a savings of $100 over those who do not participate in the survey, and a savings of $250 over non-members. Click the WageWatch link for more information.

Room Tax Studies Released - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) released its 2008 Room Taxes and the Economic Impact of the Industry, analyzing the full impact on hotel tax changes on sales, jobs and government revenue. Among the major findings: Room taxes average 12.62 percent, about $12.39 per night nationwide, in addition to the average room rate of about $94.69 for 2008. AH&LA members can download a copy of the study via the Members Only section of the AH&LA Website. Travel Oregon recently released the Local Transient Lodging Tax Survey, to study local jurisdictions’ transient lodging tax revenues and the programs that are funded across the state. In 2007, 103 jurisdictions had a local transient lodging tax, with total transient lodging tax revenue of $99.5 million. To receive a copy of this study, email your request to info@oregonlodging.com

AH&LA Members Receive Discount on Products - The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) is the premier source for industry-tested, research-driven hospitality training resources worldwide. For more information, check out the extensive resources available at http://www.ei-ahla.org/ (note: OLA members with 50 rooms or more automatically have a dual membership with AH&LA). Click here for an order form.

Spring Lodging Newsletter Highlights Leadership - The new issue of LodgingNews, produced by OLA, is in the mail to members mid-April. For a sneak preview, click here and download a low-resolution of the newsletter.

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Visit the Travel Oregon Site for places to stay!

PREFERRED VENDOR DIRECTORY: Buyers Guide of OLA...  Click here to find products and services now!

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The Voice of the Tourism Industry in Oregon's Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington Counties