Inn-Sight Newsletter

MARCH 2024

What's Next

 

April TBD

HLAKC Cares: Hospitality Day of Giving Back

Nourish KC

Registration opening soon

MHLA Golf Tournament

May 7, 2024

Tiffany Greens

Golf Club

Register

The Hospitality Show: Greater Kansas City

May 16, 2024

1:00pm - 5:30pm

Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center

Register

IN THIS ISSUE

  

HLAKC SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF 3/8-CENT SALES TAX


BARNEY ALLIS PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT


DOL'S INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RULE


FRANCHISING MODEL RESTORED


MISSOURI HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT


THE HOSPITALITY SHOW:

GREATER KANSAS CITY


HOSPITALITY DAY AT THE K


FEBRUARY 28 - MEMBERSHIP NETWORKING EVENT RECAP


SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS


OFFICERS

Chairman

Michael Rose

Holiday Inn - KCI


President

Brian Johnson

 Loews Hotel


President-Elect

Robert Leyva

Inn at Meadowbrook


Vice President

Ryan Baldwin

Hotel Phillips


Vice President

Walker Swan

  Crowne Plaza - Downtown


Treasurer

Derek McCann

  Marriott - Downtown


Secretary

Christina Roth

  Hampton Inn & Suites - Plaza


  

HOTEL DIRECTORS

Zachary Alft

  The Fontaine


Amber Boos

  Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown / Crossroads


Alex DeChagas

  Hotel Kansas City


Jess Desai

  Orangewood Inn & Suites KCI


Jeff Keeley

  InterContinental at the Plaza


JJ Kuntz

  Stoney Creek Hotel & Conf. Ctr.


Travis Maschino

  Scarlett Hotel Group


Chad Mohwinkle

  Sheraton at Crown Center


Dhruv Patel

  Lotus Hospitality


Tim Roby

 21c Museum Hotel


Denis Schmidt

  Hilton Garden Inn - Independence


Levi Seidensticker

  Embassy Suites - Plaza


ALLIED DIRECTORS

Anthony Brancato

  Excel Linen Supply


Jeff Coleman

  Ecolab


D'Wayne Leatherland

  Agenda:USA


Cesar Sanchez

  Pinnacle Staffing Group


EX-OFFICIO

Mike Burris

  Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association


Nathan Hermiston

  Visit KC


 FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

Tim Ryan

  Lotus Hospitality

 



 

Contact us:

816.421.3646 phone


Andrea O'Hara, Exec. Dir.

andrea@kansascitylodging.org


Kyle Sadewhite, Admin

kyle@kansascitylodging.org


 

Follow us on Facebook and Linkedin

Facebook  LinkedIn

Vote Yes on Question 1


On April 2nd, Jackson County residents will get the chance to vote on an extension of the 3/8-cent sales tax to keep the Royals and Chiefs in Jackson County for the next 50 years.


The Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City has taken a position of support for this extension based on the undeniable positive impact that a revitalized Arrowhead Stadium and a new downtown ballpark would have on our city.


Voting Yes on Question 1 means no new taxes , over $1 billion dollars combined in private funds contributed by both teams, and thousands of new jobs created.


A downtown ballpark improves accessibility for residents in Greater Kansas City, enhances community engagement, and creates significant economic impact for the metro.


We encourage the numerous Jackson County residents employed in the hospitality sector to vote Yes on Question 1 on April 2nd and support future economic growth in Kansas City.


Barney Allis Plaza Redevelopment Project


Kansas City officials recently announced the closure of Barney Allis Plaza parking garage scheduled for April 15. A Redevelopment Project Plan has recently been released and is scheduled to go before city council in the coming week for review.


HLAKC is working diligently to provide you with the latest updates on this project, as well as determining next steps in conveying our support to city leaders. More information will be released shortly.


You can learn more about the project here.


Dept. of Labor's Independent Contractor Rule


In January 2024, the Department of Labor introduced a finalized regulation that will alter the criteria for classifying workers as independent contractors or employees. Effective March 11th, this change will significantly impact workers seeking independent contractor status.


Click here to view the details of the rule


AHLA is exploring various potential courses of action in response to this regulation, including potential legal recourse. In the interim, we urge hoteliers to assess their utilization of independent contractors.


Click here to view AHLA's resources on the independent contractor rule.

Franchising Model Restored


In November 2023, AHLA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other leading business associations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas challenging the National Labor Relations Board final rule that changed the way joint-employer status is determined.


On March 9, 2024, the court blocked this rule and reinstated a 2020 NLRB rule that protects businesses from undue liability for employees over whom they do not have direct control.


“This decision is a huge win for hoteliers, the lodging industry, and franchised businesses. The ruling will critically reestablish franchisees' control over their own businesses, restore certainty in the relationships between employees and employers, and prevent costly confusion with independent contractors,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “Our victory in this case is a testament to how hoteliers can bring positive change when we stay organized and engaged. We stand ready to fight any attempt by the NLRB to appeal this decision.”

Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association Annual Golf Tournament - May 7th


Each year the Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association holds an Annual Golf Tournament in a different area of the state. This year, Kansas City will host the tournament at the Tiffany Greens Golf Club.


Sign up to join hoteliers from around the state in this fun day of golf. Sponsorship opportunities are still available!


Register by March 31st and enter a chance to win a $250.00 visa gift card, plus other prizes.

Learn More and Register Here

HLAKC has been chosen by the American Hotel & Lodging Association to host their roadshow event series called, The Hospitality Show.


You're invited to join us for this very special event coming to our city, specifically for hotels.


Join fellow hoteliers from across the Greater Kansas City area for an afternoon of networking and learning about the very latest policy issues impacting your hotel. 


A special networking reception with complimentary drinks and appetizers will follow. Mark your calendar and invite all your hotel colleagues to this special afternoon event.


The Hospitality Show regional event series is FREE and open to all hoteliers and Allied members of AHLA.


Contact us to learn more about exhibit booth and sponsorship opportunities!


Date & Time:

May 16, 2024 - 1pm-5:30pm



Location:

Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center

2345 McGee St.

Kansas City, MO 64108

REGISTER HERE

Hospitality Day at The K -

June 27th


Kansas City vs. Cleveland


Don't miss our Annual Hospitality Day at The K joint event with the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association! This year, we have negotiated tickets as low as $11.00 to make it easy for our members to bring their teams and families.


Join us for the tailgate party before the game and enjoy DJ entertainment, fun yard games, and food & drink.


Tailgate Party: 5:00pm | Gametime: 7:10pm

Purchase Tickets

February 28th Membership Networking Event Recap


Thank you to all who came out for our Membership Networking Event on February 28th at the beautifully renovated Holiday Inn Downtown.


Over 50 attendees came out for this spectacular evening that was free to HLAKC members. The ambiance was vibrant, and the drinks and appetizers were delicious.


It's always great to see our members catch up with one another and make new connections. We look forward to seeing you at the next event!

Now Accepting Scholarship Applications


If you or someone you know is looking to continue their education in hospitality, HLAKC wants to help!


Our scholarship application is open until April 15th. Help us spread the word by downloading this flyer and sharing it with your team members. Hang it in your break rooms, or share it at your next team meeting!

New Members


Mid America Specialty Services

Richie Diaz

WEBSITE


Going Green NRG, LLC

Mark Mansheim

WEBSITE


CertaPro Painters

Penny Bommelje

WEBSITE




wwwThe Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City represents the interests of the area hotel and lodging establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality industry. We are the legislative advocacy voice, as well as the source of information and education for the hospitality industry in Greater Kansas City. 


Our Mission: To be an invaluable resource serving, supporting and advocating on behalf of the Greater Kansas City hospitality industry.


Our Vision: To create a relevant, energetic and united hospitality industry recognized for playing an integral role in powering the Kansas City economy.