Find your next Employee on the New Hospitality MN
Career Center
|
 |
|
Hospitality News
|
Tourism Talking Points and Special
Radio Campaign
The Minnesota Resort and Campground Association Board of
Directors discussed the "doom and gloom" stories regarding summer tourism at its
most recent meeting earlier this month. The Board discussed positive messages
that could be deliverd to media and travelers.
The MRCA Board asked EVP David Siegel to raise the issue with
the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and EMT Director John Edman. Siegel
represents the hospitality industry on the Council. Siegel brought forward the
MRCA Board's suggestion that we develop positive talking points that all in the
industry could use to deliver a consistent message.
The EMT Council had excellent discussion about the issue.
Based on feedback there and from others in the industry, EMT is launching a
special $100,000 radio campaign promoting all there is to see and do in
Minnesota this summer. In addition, EMT crafted excellent talking points we all
can use in promoting Minnesota tourism. See those talking points here.
Congratulations and thanks to the MRCA Board of Directors for
its forward thinking and its efforts on behalf of
tourism.
|
New State Pool Regulations To Take
Effect July 1st
New pool drain regulations were
passed year and signed into law by the Governor. All public pool drains must now
meet new requirements. They must have either: an unblockable drain; at least
two suction outlets connected in parallel with suction outlet covers that meet
ASME/ANSI standards; or a gravity drain or outlet. The legislation requires
pools with the deepest part less than four feet deep (wading
pools or hot tubs) to be in compliance with the new drain standards by January
1, 2009. All other existing public pools must meet the requirements by January
1, 2011. Also, by June 1, 2008, all drain covers and grates
must be installed with screws that meet the manufacturer's specifications, and
by July 1, 2008, all public pool owners must certify to the
Dept. of Health that the drains are equipped with the proper covers and have
been inspected to ensure safety.
Finally, starting
immediately, the drain covers and grates must be physically inspected
on a daily basis (or every day the pool is open for use) and a record be kept on
the pool log. If the drain cover does not pass inspection, the pool must be shut
down until it is repaired.
Here is a link to documents prepared by the
Minnesota Department of Health, including answers to frequently asked questions and a list of
important dates.
|
|
|
University of Minnesota Tourism Center Offers 2008
Tourism Research Grants
The Carlson Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality Chair is accepting
applicants for financial awards for those who are conducting travel, tourism or
hospitality-related education programs or research in Minnesota. Both
individuals and non-profits can apply for awards ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.
The deadline for applications is 12 pm, Friday October 3, 2008.
For more information about the grant program, click here.
|
|
Reminders from the Department of Labor
Some of the rules for 14 and 15 year olds follow:
Cooking by this age group may be performed out of the
view of the public.
Fourteen- and 15-year-olds may perform only that cooking which
involves the use of (1) electric or gas grilles that do not entail cooking over
an open flame, and (2) deep fat fryers that are equipped with and utilize
devices that automatically lower and raise the baskets into and out of the oil
or grease.
This age group is prohibited from operating, setting up,
adjusting, cleaning, oiling, or repairing power-driven food slicers and
grinders, food choppers, and cutters, and bakery type mixers.
This age group may not perform work in a freezer or meat
cooler.
For a more detailed description of the regulations, please
click here (US DOL) and here (MN
DOLI).
|
Associations Announce Partnership with Insurance and Consulting Firm
Our associations are excited to announce a new partnership
with Stanton Group for health insurance.
As a benefit to members,
Stanton Group can assess your health insurance needs, evaluate your options,
seek bids from companies that are a good fit and provide you with the
information you need to make a quality decision.
In addition to
medical, dental and supplemental insurance, Stanton provides HR tools and online
resources for you to choose from. This includes seminars through Stanton
University, a training, education and business development resource that
regularly hosts seminars, webcasts and HR assessments throughout the year.
The Association is proud to offer these value-added services to benefit
our association members.
To learn more about Stanton Group and its
services through the Associations, please contact Peggy Hill at (763) 278-4554
or at phill@stanton-group.com. Health insurance is a
major issue for all of our members so take advantage of this great new
partnership and add value with Stanton
Group.
|
ADA Regulatory Changes
Proposed
Substantial Re-write of 1990 Disabilities Law
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed
dramatic and far-reaching changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
of 1990.
The DOJ has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for
Title III of the ADA which will substantially revise the current accessibility
requirements that apply to places of lodging, and impose new requirements for
guest reservations practices, swimming pools, saunas/steam rooms, exercise
rooms, windows, play areas, and valet parking, among others.
The NPRM has been made available on the DOJ website and was expected to be officially
published in today's Federal Register. A 60-day public comment period will begin
after publication in the Federal Register.
|
2008 AH&LA Survey Supports
Lodging Trends
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA)
released its 2008 Lodging Survey, conducted by Smith Travel Research, revealing
three major trends in the industry.
First, properties are fully integrating new technology.
Wireless Internet Access represented 91% of survey participants. Additionally,
fewer hotels are charging for internet access, only 16%.
Second, properties are becoming healthier. Almost 80% of
responding properties offered a free exercise/fitness facility and 24% of
respondents offered allergy-free hotel rooms.
Third, properties are becoming greener. 68% of respondents use
energy-efficient lighting and 21% are planning to incorporate Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards within the properties in the
next 12 months.
|
Window to Obtain Plumbing License Extended
New deadline gives until September 30, 2008
Recent changes in state law affected plumbing requirements for
cities with fewer than 5,000 people. For a limited time period, those that do
on-site plumbing and are not certified plumbers can obtain a "restricted
license," which allows for operators to perform limited plumbing duties within
their property. Although the original deadline to obtain a license has
passed, the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry has now extended the
deadline to September 30th of this year. This will be the only time when
operators can obtain a restricted plumbing license.
The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry has
also
mandated that if a property opts for this license, an
indivdual must apply for the "master plumber" license which has an annual
renewal fee of $120. For subsequent licenses on an individual property,
individuals can apply for a "journeyman's license" with an annual renewal fee of
$30.
The MRCA continues to work with the Department of Labor &
Industry to restructure the plumbing license fee schedule for resort and
campground operators. We are hopeful that a lower fee will be implemented for
operators who choose to obtain the restricted master plumber license by
the September 30 deadline.
For more information, you can access the new
plumbing legislation as well as licensing
information.
|
| Business After Hours MLA Event on June 26
The Minnesota Lodging Association's Business
After Hours event is just a week away and it will take place at the Holiday Inn
NW Elk River from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, June 26. The MLA Board of Directors and
the Membership Committee encourage everyone to come and network with fellow
members, staff and our great Allied members.
For more information, contact Member Retention Specialist Jay Breimhorst at
(651) 778-2400 or jay@hospitalitymn.com.
|
Come out for HOPAC Twins
Night!
The Twins will be taking on the New York Yankees on
Tuesday, August 12th. Register today for an exciting night of Twins baseball and
HOPAC fundraising! Cost is $60/person and includes an outstanding dinner in the
HOPAC tent and a ticket to the game.
Don't miss this opportunitiy to get together with colleagues
and friends to cheer on the Twins and help raise money for HOPAC!
Seating is limited, so send in your
registration today! Click here for registration form.
If you would like to become an event
sponsor, contact Ashley Folsom at (651) 778-2400 or ashley@hospitalitymn.com.
|
| Minimum
Wage to Rise
On July 24, 2008 the federal minimum wage will rise to $6.55
per hour. It will increase to $7.25 on July 24, 2009. Legislation to raise the
state's minimum wage to $6.75 per hour on July 24, 2008 and $7.75 on July 24,
2009 was vetoed by Governor Pawlenty this past session.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has ruled that
operators must pay servers the $6.55 per hour, versus the $6.15 state minimum
wage. If you have questions, contact Kevin Matzek at kevinm@hospitalitymn.com or David Siegel at
dave@hospitalitymn.com or call at
651-778-2400.
|
|
|
|
|
