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No, this is not the start of a joke. Hospitality industry members have been experiencing more situations with customers walking into restaurants and hotels with 'questionable' service animals. Unfortunately, their actions could distract legitimate working dogs and hurt their reputation. We've reposted our Boiled Down podcast episode on the subject for some good reminders on what questions business owners and employees can legally ask. We talk with an employment law attorney who sheds light on the dos and don’ts of service animals in your establishment. Host: Greg Astley, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Guest host: Lori Little, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Guest: Shane Swilley, Employment Law Attorney, Cosgrave Vergeer Kester Websites mentioned: https://www.ada.gov/ https://droregon.org/ https://www.oregonrla.org/compliance.html

In this bonus podcast of Boiled Down, we have the opportunity to talk with two celebrity chefs who will be headlining the Northwest Food Show on June 26-27, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. Sponsored by Harbor Foodservice and fueled by NW Natural, the Cooking Stage hosts a line-up of award-winning chefs demonstrating their favorite recipes and techniques. Learn more and register at NWFoodShow.com. Guests: Chef Shirley Chung, Ms Chi Café, BravoTV’s Top Chef Star Chef Tregaye Fraser, host of OWN Network’s “Tregaye’s Way,” first African American woman to win Food Network Star

In the latest Boiled Down podcast, we have a conversation with one of the hospitality industry’s ‘most influential' leaders, Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Our host and ORLA Director of Government Affairs, Greg Astley, talks with Chip about the positive impacts from ARPA funds, the effect of business travel on industry recovery, and federal advocacy relating to lodging industry issues including illegal short-term rentals. Hear more on how the AHLA and the AHLA Foundation have been investing in various initiatives focused on addressing workforce issues– like the new Hospitality is Working campaign– and supporting our communities.  Guest: Chip Rogers, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association Advocacy Watch: Paid Family Leave, OSHA's Workplace Heat and Smoke Rules, and the Latest Intelligence on the RRF

In the latest Boiled Down podcast, ORLA speaks with our advocacy colleagues at the National Restaurant Association to discuss the federal advocacy landscape for the restaurant industry. From replenishing the RRF to reinstating the ERTC, things are getting more difficult to move along given a less-motivated partisan Congress right now. Hear how the National Restaurant Association and ORLA continue to push for business-supporting legislation.  Guests: Mike Whatley, Vice President, State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association Michael A. Aguilar, State Affairs Manager, National Restaurant Association

Did you know the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) can have a huge impact and potentially result in thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars back into your business? Eligible businesses qualify for up to $26,000 per employee—but less than 25% of businesses have filed for their ERC funds. We talk about what the ERC is, what steps you need to take, and dispel some myths around who qualifies for this federal tax incentive.  Guest: Mike Rawson, Adesso Capital

From breweries to hotels, and caterers to small cafes, the hospitality industry depends on natural gas as an energy source. With recent news of natural gas bans around the country and now in Oregon, it’s important for policymakers to understand how a potential ban on natural gas would impact an industry whose reliance on this energy source is critical to their operations. We talk with Dan Kirschner from the NWGA about the policy direction and how they’re fighting on the industry’s behalf to ensure our state and community members can continue to rely on a diversified, robust, reliable and affordable energy system. Businesses should continue to educate customers how they use energy and why, highlighting energy savings with their sustainability practices, and how to use that fuel in better, more efficient ways. Guest: Dan Kirschner, Northwest Gas Association

The workplace has been chaotic with a multitude of factors impacting our work environment. How can leading with kindness make a difference in our organization? Justin Freeman, owner/CEO of Bagel Sphere shares how teams, customers and industry partners are all in need of kind and effective leaders. We talk about how to promote the cultural changes we want to see in our operations and the resources available to take the next step. Guest: Justin Freeman, Bagel Sphere Advocacy Watch: No Meals Tax campaigns OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards on vaccine policies in the workplace

Think you’re not qualified for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) or not taking advantage of it yet? ORLA held a successful webinar recently on the subject and discussed some of the misconceptions about eligibility and how this tax credit could provide significant savings for our industry members. Boiled Down rebroadcasts the interview portion of the July webinar and talks briefly about some key advocacy updates. Guests: Tom Perrick, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association John Barofsky, Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria Krista Caulkins, Think LLP Advocacy Watch: Sales tax on meals proposals in Cannon Beach and Newport 2021 Legislative Session had some key wins for hospitality

In a year like no other, we look at how the 2021 Legislative Session will affect Oregon’s hospitality industry. Our guest and Contract Lobbyist, Bill Perry of Balance Point Strategies delves into the changes to the legislative format during the pandemic and how that has altered the exchange of information. We also talk about what hospitality-related bills came up, died, and what is still in play. Discover the latest with TLT, lottery, mobile gaming, scheduling, and making cocktails to-go permanent. We will also touch on the pitfalls of a possible Alcohol Task Force, intellectual property protections for restaurants from third-party delivery services who publish menus without consent, and how recycling and environmental protections are creating winners and losers.   Guest: Bill Perry, Balance Point Strategies Advocacy Watch: Klamath Falls and John Day weigh Transient Lodging Tax increases
 OLCC Commission votes to increase prices on some of the lowest priced alcohol Restaurant Revitalization Fund sample application and guidance now available Listener Question: Where can I find additional Covid-times training for my staff? (For the answer, see "Providing Service While Supporting Safety" training)

In this bonus episode, ORLA President & CEO Jason Brandt, along with host and Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley, walk through some of the many successes and challenges we’ve had this past year. They take a little deeper dive into some of the current issues, what led us to this point and the solutions we have been advocating for all along. Also hear about programs and new training opportunities developed by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation to support our industry. (Total run time = about 35 minutes)

Together with SAIF Corporation experts, we try to highlight and clarify some of the new guidance Oregon’s hospitality professionals are putting into place. Hear some real-life examples of how organizations are putting procedures in place and some of the challenges in implementing the new rules. Learn about what you can and cannot mandate surrounding vaccines, what notifications you’ll need to do if a COVID-19 exposure occurs, and more about face coverings (who needs them, wash and replace, and how many employers expected to provide). We will also explore what new rules we can expect to become permanent.
 Guests: Liz Hill, Total Worker Health Advisor, Safe and Healthy Workplace Center, SAIF Corporation Kim Henry, Industry Hygienist, Safe and Healthy Workplace Center, SAIF Corporation Links Referenced: SAIF Corporation Oregon OSHA EEOC Oregon Health Authority - Dedicated Vaccine Page Providing Service While Supporting Safety (Guest Service course during COVID-19)   Advocacy Watch: Over 100 bills on ORLA’s engage/watch list
 Campaign to remove Oregon’s Extreme Risk category Federal level update: PPP Round 2, New COVID-19 Relief Package with Restaurant Grant Program Listener Question: New guidance for Lottery retailers in the 'Extreme Risk' category.

A business owner’s potential liability with regard to employment practices in the workplace has been one of the most challenging exposures they have and will continue to face, including an aging workforce, #MeToo, increased wage and hour enforcement, and continuously expanding state employment legislation. And now owners face new challenges brought on by the events of 2020 like COVID-19 and political unrest. Guests: Anne Hasenstab, Executive Risk & Cyber Security Practice Leade, Ward Insurance Haley Morrison, Partner, Labor & Employment Practice Group, Tonkon Torp, LLP Links Referenced: ORLA Live!  Alice Training Solutions (Active Shooter)  Oregon OSHA (Workplace Violence) Advocacy Watch: Three Oregon OSHA issues Government Affairs meeting, 2021 Legislative Session ORLA efforts on removing curfew and 100-Person Cap

Discover all the work Travel Oregon does to grow our state economy by promoting tourism. In this episode, Teresa O'Neill and Carole Astley of Travel Oregon walk us through the many programs and events offered by the Tourism Commission, including the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism and the Oregon Rural Tourism Conference. We talk about the wide variety of research being conducted to benefit the state and help leaders make informed decisions on marketing efforts, destination management, and product development. You'll also hear the benefits of international travelers in addition to domestic guests and how hospitality businesses can get involved, partner and profit through collaboration. Guests: Teresa O'Neill, VP Global Strategic Partnerships, Travel Oregon Carole Astley, Director Meeting Services, Travel Oregon Links Referenced: TravelOregon.com Industry.TravelOregon.com Advocacy Watch: • Madras food and beverage tax proposed • Portland Parks budget gaps, solutions proposed • Trump Administration's proposed tariffs on some European products • Taste Oregon Legislative Reception Listener Question: Single-use plastics clarification on new laws

"Hospitality begins with safety," so this episode we're talking emergency preparedness. Althea Rizzo joins us from the Office of Emergency Management to help us boil down what businesses can do to prepare for a disaster. Learn more about how communities will respond, who is most vulnerable and what resources exist to help Oregon businesses be ready. Guest: Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Coordinator, Oregon Office of Emergency Management Co-Host: Lori Little, Director of Communications, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Links Referenced: Ready.gov Hospitality Begins with Safety: TsunamiSafe.info Ready Business QuakeSmart Toolkit Advocacy Watch: Pendleton's 3 New Taxes for Street Maintenance Taste Oregon Legislative Reception

Hear cautionary tales of the industry and how the Oregon Secretary of State's Office of Small Business Assistance can help. Discover how this resource team has helped other Oregon businesses, including those starting, growing or winding down a business. Learn what to do if you believe you've been subject to unreasonable or unfair state regulatory actions, including: investigations, excessive fines or penalties, even threats or other enforcement by a state agency. Guests: Ruth Miles, Corporate Division Director, Tribal Liaison, Oregon Secretary of State Trevor Leahy, Small Business Advocate, Oregon Secretary of State Office of Small Business Assistance Advocacy Watch: Food & Beverage taxes being considered Burgerville Union strikes Service charges, fees and tips

ORLA's Greg, Nicole and Steve boil down some of the industry chatter around the state, what's happening where, and the overall trends impacting Oregon's hospitality industry. From an industry-insider perspective, they touch on Portland protests and the City's counter measures, why brewpubs are closing, and a new wave of suburban migration. Hear more about new food cart pod regulations, Corporate Activities Tax rule making, and the Federal DOJ overtime rule soon taking effect.  Guests: Nicole Peterson, ORLA Government Affairs Steve Scardina ORLA Regional Representative Advocacy Watch: Corporate Activity Tax rule making Federal DOJ overtime rule Credit card tip window for servers

We've got the OLCC's Executive Director and Deputy Director in the house answering all our alcohol and marijuana-related industry questions. Our conversation boils down what the License Fee increases mean and how they will help fund automation and software upgrades in the future. You'll also hear about pilot projects with liter sizes, what is legal with CBD and edibles, and new acceptable IDs for Canadians via NEXUS cards. Guests: Steve Marks, Executive Director, OLCC Will Higlin, Deputy Director, OLCC Advocacy Watch: Egg-laying hen protections (and enrichment) for 2024 Lottery Retailer Forums discuss Oregon Lottery's proposed commission rates ORLA Regional Meetings are on the calendar; visit OregonRLA.org for details.

Lindsey Miller, National Restaurant Association grassroots advocacy manager and Nicole Peterson, ORLA government affairs coordinator talk about the Portland Kitchen Cabinet, a civic engagement program committed to growing and preserving opportunity in the local restaurant industry. We discuss the importance of grassroots advocacy around the country as well as local community initiatives that help drive relationships with peers, neighbors and elected officials.  Guests: Lindsey Miller, NRA Grassroots Advocacy Nicole Peterson, ORLA Government Affairs Advocacy Watch: • Possible changes to ACA reporting system • New Pacific Power shutoff policy • In-depth Legislative update at the ORLA Hospitality Conference

Every interaction a guest has with your brand has a direct affect on your company's reputation, your customer's subconscious decision-making, and your bottom line. Chris Nordyke of Summit Cleaning & Restoration stops by to talk customer experience and how common failure points present opportunities for success and how an empowered staff can create wins all around. Guest: Chris Nordyke, Summit Cleaning & Restoration Advocacy Watch:  • Plastic bag and straw bans coming into effect • Regional team kickoff around the state • Cannabis tourism and regulations; OLCC guidance coming

We keep it candid with employment law professionals Rich Meneghello and Alex Wheatley of Fisher Phillips as we discuss recent must-know developments for employers. Hear a national check-in on Trump's administration and about the new version of the overtime rule under U.S. Secretary of Labor, Alexander Acosta. Take note on why you should be prepared with two years of data for the renewed Equal Employment demographic form, EEO1. We also examine off-duty consumption issues, your ability to enforce, and what the recent Oregon Supreme Court ruling surrounding the social host statute means for all employers and those who serve alcohol. Guests: Rich Meneghello, Partner, and Alex Wheatley, Associate, Fisher Phillips Advocacy Watch: Hood River sales tax is defeated Portland short-term rental crackdown Albany lodging facilities under six units no longer exempt from TLT