Friday, May 3, 2024

Nominations Now Open for Annual IHLA Awards

 Nominations are open for the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) annual statewide hospitality honors. Nominations will be reviewed and selected by a committee of the IHLA Board of Directors and will also be recognized at an awards luncheon on October 2, 2024 at The Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston. Each will also be featured in videos on the IHLA’s Youtube channel. Nominations can be made by individuals or organizations from within the industry or from the public. 2024 Award Categories include: Hotelier(s) of the Year, General Manager of the Year, Employee of the Year, Innovation Award, Sustainability Award Philanthropist or Philanthropy Program of the Year,   Industry Champion and Legislator of the Year. 

Don’t Miss May 15^th Deadline to Register for Co-op Marketing

with the Iowa Tourism Office

The Iowa Tourism Office has opened up its 2025 Co-op Marketing Programs. Registrations for participation are on a first come, first serve basis and can help put your establishment in front of 100,000+ interested travelers both within Iowa and out-of-state. The ITO’s new marketing Co-op Bundle includes digital display, native, programmatic audio, digital billboards and video/CTV/OTT. Two bundle options (fall 2024 and spring 2025) are available, each running 10 weeks. Traditional favorites are also available: traveliowa.com leads, consumer email marketing, dedicated email, sponsored content, social media and influencers. 

Co-op Partnership Package

Co-op Sign Up

Join Us for These Upcoming Coffee Meetings

Each month the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association hosts a coffee which includes both networking opportunities and guest speakers.

May's session will feature special guest Jill Darin, Risk Manager for World Insurance. She will cover a series of critical operational topics that will improve and protect your business including employee handbooks, OSHA requirements, risk management, and best safety practices for hotels. Additionally, attendees will tour allied member Lashier Graphics & Signs facility.

June's session will feature special guest Michael P. Goldberg who has more than 30 years of experience in Government, military and civil, multi-functional security and law enforcement environments. From dealing with a physical fight to active shooters, he will provide safety and security strategies and responses for hoteliers.

This is normally a member-only opportunity but we are opening this month's event to nonmembers! Come see what it's all about.

May 8, 2024 | 9-10:30 AM

Lashier Graphics & Signs

1601 SE Gateway Dr #130 | Grimes

Guest Speaker: Jill Darin | World Insurance

June 12, 2024 | 9-10:30 AM

Best Western Premier

2502 SE Tones Dr | Ankeny

Guest Speaker: Michael P. Goldberg

Interested a hosting a future meeting? We travel these events across the state! Please contact Faith Dorn at fdorn@hotellodgingiowa.com.

New Federal Mandate: As of July 1^st Salaried Employees Making Less than $43,888 Must Receive Overtime Pay

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final rule relating to overtime regulations. The new rule increases by 65% the minimum salary threshold for eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This adjustment takes the threshold from $35,568 to $58,656.

By July 1, 2024, anyone making a salary of less than $43,888 will qualify for overtime pay. By January 1, 2025, anyone making a salary of less than $58,656 must receive overtime pay. 

This will be a huge burden for many small businesses, particularly for rural Iowa lodging establishments, where market-competitive wages may not meet these minimums. This new one-size-fits-all rule mandates that, unless explicitly exempted, employees under the new threshold and covered by the FLSA, must receive overtime pay at a rate not less than 1½ times their regular pay rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. 

Litigation from multiple groups is expected. AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey stated about the new mandate, “This rule is part of a growing list of aggressive federal regulatory efforts that are making it even harder for hoteliers to operate their businesses in this challenging environment. The impacts of this regulation will risk the elimination of jobs and make it more difficult for employees to pursue the existing pathways to success and career growth that the industry offers. We fear many hoteliers will have no option other than to eliminate managerial jobs that are long-established paths to advancement. AHLA is reviewing all available options, including litigation, for defeating this ill-advised regulation.”

An FAQ on employer requirements and eligibility under the new rule can be found at dol.gov.

Continue to Press Lawmakers for Tax Relief 

The U.S. Senate is still considering a bipartisan tax package that would extend critical tax relief to American businesses and their workers. If passed, hotels could see tax relief valued at tens of thousands of dollars per property. A recent study by Cornell University  shows just how much positive impact this bill would have on the hospitality industry. Senators Grassley and Ernst are holding town halls throughout Iowa. If you attend one of these meetings, let them know that the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) is important to our industry.

Serve Responsibly; Minimize Risk; Train Your Team

Does Your Hotel have a restaurant or bar?

Ensure your guests and your business are safe with a ServSafe Alcohol Certification. Classes are just $10 per person and are taught by a professional educator and current bar owner. Don't see a class near you?

Schedule a class in your community for no additional cost!

• 4-hour in-person instruction
• 3-year certification
• $10 per student course book/exam fee*



*A grant from the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau covers all other instruction-related costs.

If you appreciate this information, please consider joining. 

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