Friday, March 28, 2024

Join Us for Networking and Expert Talks

Each month the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association hosts a coffee which include both networking opportunities and guest speakers. April's session features Iowa Tourism Office's, Amy Zeigler, discussing free and shared-cost promotional programs, grants, and research for Iowa hotels, including website listings, STR research, and travel guides. May's session will feature Jill Darin, Risk Manager for World Insurance, covering critical operational topics such as employee handbooks, OSHA requirements, risk management, and best safety practices for hotels. Additionally, attendees will tour allied member Lashier Graphics & Signs facility. Don’t miss these member only opportunities to connect and learn!

April 10, 2024 | 9-10:30 AM

Highlander Hotel | 2525 Highlander Pl. | Iowa City

Guest Speaker: Amy Zeigler | Iowa Tourism Office

May 8, 2024 | 9-10:30 AM

Lashier Graphics & Signs

1601 SE Gateway Dr #130 | Grimes

Guest Speaker: Jill Darin | World Insurance

This Week at the Capitol

With the legislative session winding down, the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association awaits the Governor’s signature on the hotel inspections bill, as well as final word on any potential increase in state per diem rates, we are already actively planning for off-session advocacy on our other legislative priorities.

Bills we continue to monitor:

HF 2426/SF 2203 Hotel Inspection Bill:

• Awaiting signature from the Governor

HF 544/SF 394 Sales Tax Bill:

• Tabled for this session

HF 2463 & SF 2109 (Work Drive Permit):

• Alive and placed on unfinished business

**Unfinished Business (definition): Chamber rules allow for procedural exceptions such as placing bills on the Unfinished Business calendar, which allow for bills to remain eligible for consideration beyond the funnel.

MasterCard and Visa Offer Temporary Reductions in Swipe Fees

MasterCard and Visa have agreed to temporarily reduce and freeze the fees they charge hotels and other merchants for processing customers’ credit card payments. Under the deal, which still requires the approval of a federal court, the rollback would begin on April 1, 2025 and rates would not increase for five years. The announcement suggests the arrangement could be extended past that five-year window. In addition to rolling back fees, the agreement enables restaurants to steer patrons paying with plastic toward less-costly methods of settling their bills, like using debit cards. In addition, the financial giants say, merchants will be provided with easier methods for levying customer surcharges to defray what are commonly called swipe fees.

New Proposed Credit Card Settlement Solves Little, 

Despite Objections Credit Card Competition Act Still Needed

A proposed settlement in long-running class-action litigation against the credit card duopoly was recently announced. While some believe this helps only merchants and negatively impacts points and rewards programs, the IHLA disagrees. We continue to believe that the tentative agreement would provide minimal, short-term relief to hotel operators and merchants and does not end the need for Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act.

Second Application Period for Meet in Iowa Closes May 17, 2024

The Iowa Tourism Office Meet in Iowa Program has made available funds and opened a second application period for events taking place in calendar 2024 and 2025.This incentive program can pre-qualify your prospects for up to $25K in reimbursements for meetings, conferences, conventions and trade shows held in your Iowa hotel or event space. This program was developed to serve as a sales tool to include with bids and proposals to help more organizations “Meet in Iowa.”  

If you appreciate this information, please consider joining. 

These efforts are funded by our membership. Learn more about membership here.