Federal Overtime Proposal Released
The Department of Labor (DOL) released its rewrite of the Obama administration’s overtime rule, which more than doubled the salary threshold from the current level of $23,660 to $47,476 per year. The DOL’s rewrite of the rule proposes a salary increase of $35,308 per year. Read more here.
Win for Hospitality: Short-Term Rental Bill Survives Legislative House of Origin Cutoff
One of the largest cutoff deadlines of the 2019 legislative session – the house of origin cutoff was at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Bills that began in the House or Senate needed to be voted out of their original chamber to advance in the legislative process. We are more than halfway through the 105-day session and were successful in advancing our short-term rental bill and in stopping restrictive scheduling from moving forward. If you would like a more in-depth update on what’s happening at the state level, please email Nicole Vukonich to subscribe to the Legislative News weekly email.
Paid Family & Medical Leave Reporting Deadline Moved to July 31
On Wednesday, the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) announced that it is moving the Q1 reporting deadline to July 31 instead of April 30. Beginning July 1, employers will submit both Q1 and Q2 reports and premium payments through the ESD online customer management system. The new timeline will not impact the availability of benefits that begin in January 2020 for eligible employees. This deadline change applies to Paid Family & Medical Leave only. Reporting timelines for unemployment insurance are unaffected. For more information, please click here.
Member Spotlight: The Charter Seattle, Curio Collection by Hilton
It’s a hotel at the heart of the city that’s sharing its heart with the city. The Charter Seattle, Curio Collection by Hilton, is an upscale boutique hotel that opened in August 2018. Learn more here.
Congratulations, ProStart Winners!
More than 200 students, teachers, mentors and parents participated in the 2019 ProStart Invitationals East and West on March 2 and 9. The winners will go to the national competition in Washington, D.C. This year’s winners are from both sides of the Cascades with Mt. Spokane High School placing first in the Culinary Competition and Bonney Lake High School taking first in the management and restaurant concept competition. If you would like to support the teams as they travel east, please contact David Faro.
Two Minute Video: What You Need to Know
Watch video here.
Spokane Hotel Motel Association Meeting, March 19
Join the Spokane Hotel Motel Association monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 19, at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. This month, we’ll hear from our allied members. For more information or to reserve your seat, email Toni Hansen.
Seattle Restaurant Alliance Meeting, April 3
The Seattle Restaurant Alliance will hold its next meeting for owners and operators at a new time. Come enjoy a time to mingle with drinks after the meeting. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best is this month’s speaker. The meeting will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m., April 3, at Rumba, 1112 Pike St. This meeting is for members only. Reserve your place with Teddi McGuire.
Speakers Address Major Business Challenges at the Hospitality Summits
Hospitality Summit speakers will bring an array of great knowledge to run a better business. Think: service charges, SEO improvements, employee financial health and checklist management to name a few. These speakers are ready to dive in and help you solve even your biggest business challenge. This year we’ll have a featured speaker, breakout sessions and express talks – 12-15-minute sessions covering the biggest, most important topics and challenges facing the hospitality industry. Click here to register.
RESOURCES
How to Choose a Health Plan – Small Business Podcast
United Healthcare developed a podcast that follows business expert Steve Strauss as he speaks with small business owners about health care plans – one of the largest expenses for which an operator must budget. In this episode, Strauss speaks with business advisor Paul Sharkey and Strive Pest Control owner Neil Marco. Sharkey and Marco share their stories to help operators see everything they need to consider and offer solutions to simplify making health care plan decisions. Click here to listen to the podcast. Click here to read a transcript of the podcast.
Economic Forecast, Labor Shortage, Workforce Innovation Event, April 1
Washington Employment Security Department’s Labor Market and Economic Analysis Division is convening statewide and community leaders at the 2019 Economic Symposium on April 1 in Seattle to address key economic and workforce development issues. Discuss metrics that matter to connect the dots across public-education-private-nonprofit sectors and geographies in Washington state. Register here.
Register for AHLA’s Women Advancing Hospitality Conference, May 29-30
The American Hotel & Lodging Association is hosting the Forward: Women Advancing Hospitality conference on May 29-30 in Chicago. Over two impactful days, attendees will hear important insights from some of the most successful women executives. Network, strategize and share knowledge to help the industry – and its women – make the next leap forward. Register here.
SERVSAFE MANAGER CALENDAR
- 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., April 2, Bargreen, Seattle (SODO), Registration Deadline: March 19
- 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., April 9, Bargreen, Tacoma, Registration Deadline: March 26
- 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., April 16, Sysco, Kent, Registration Deadline: April 2
- 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., April 29, FSA, Everett, Registration Deadline: April 15
INDUSTRY ROUNDUP
- Accor Drops “Hotels” From Name, Revamps Loyalty Program (Hotel News Now)
- Mt. Spokane High School Culinary Team Wins State ProStart Invitational Chef Competition (The Spokesman Review)
- How These Female Restaurant Leaders Strike a Balance in the Male-Dominated Executive Suite (Forbes)
- Despite Government Shutdown, U.S. Hotels Recorded Profit Growth in January (Lodging)
- Chipotle is Bringing its New Loyalty Program to Your Venmo Feed (CNN)
- Extended-Stay Hotels Remain Attractive to Hoteliers and Guests (Lodging)
- Rocking the Food Chain Ladder: 27 Female Restaurant Execs Tell All (Fast Casual)
- Hoteliers Think Outside the Bar for In-Room Drinks (Hotel News Now)
- Maryland Retail, Restaurant Industries Join National Push to Hire Former Inmates (Baltimore Sun)
- The Next Evolution of Boutique Hotel Luxury (ILHA)
- As Food-Delivery Firms Court Smaller Markets, New Hurdles Emerge (Wall Street Journal)
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