Boiled Down

Amid a business environment of extremely high employee turnover, skyrocketing inflation, and other issues impacting hospitality businesses, many companies have found a way to thrive by practicing a company culture that truly values and listens to its employees. In this first episode of a 2-part podcast series focusing on building strong company cultures, Ken Henson, owner/consultant with Refettorio Consulting, talks with us about t...

No, this is not the start of a joke. Hospitality industry members have been experiencing more situations with customers walking into restaurants and hotels with 'questionable' service animals. Unfortunately, their actions could distract legitimate working dogs and hurt their reputation. We've reposted our Boiled Down podcast episode on the subject for some good reminders on what questions business owners and employees can legally a...

In this bonus podcast of Boiled Down, we have the opportunity to talk with two celebrity chefs who will be headlining the Northwest Food Show on June 26-27, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. Sponsored by Harbor Foodservice and fueled by NW Natural, the Cooking Stage hosts a line-up of award-winning chefs demonstrating their favorite recipes and techniques. Learn more and register at NWFoodShow.com.

Guests:

• Chef Shirley Chung, Ms Chi C...

In the latest Boiled Down podcast, we have a conversation with one of the hospitality industry’s ‘most influential' leaders, Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Our host and ORLA Director of Government Affairs, Greg Astley, talks with Chip about the positive impacts from ARPA funds, the effect of business travel on industry recovery, and federal advocacy relating to lodging industry issu...

In the latest Boiled Down podcast, ORLA speaks with our advocacy colleagues at the National Restaurant Association to discuss the federal advocacy landscape for the restaurant industry. From replenishing the RRF to reinstating the ERTC, things are getting more difficult to move along given a less-motivated partisan Congress right now. Hear how the National Restaurant Association and ORLA continue to push for business-supporting leg...

Did you know the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) can have a huge impact and potentially result in thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars back into your business? Eligible businesses qualify for up to $26,000 per employee—but less than 25% of businesses have filed for their ERC funds. We talk about what the ERC is, what steps you need to take, and dispel some myths around who qualifies for this federal tax incentive. 

Guest: ...

From breweries to hotels, and caterers to small cafes, the hospitality industry depends on natural gas as an energy source. With recent news of natural gas bans around the country and now in Oregon, it’s important for policymakers to understand how a potential ban on natural gas would impact an industry whose reliance on this energy source is critical to their operations. We talk with Dan Kirschner from the NWGA about the policy di...

The workplace has been chaotic with a multitude of factors impacting our work environment. How can leading with kindness make a difference in our organization? Justin Freeman, owner/CEO of Bagel Sphere shares how teams, customers and industry partners are all in need of kind and effective leaders. We talk about how to promote the cultural changes we want to see in our operations and the resources available to take the next step.

Gu...

Think you’re not qualified for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) or not taking advantage of it yet? ORLA held a successful webinar recently on the subject and discussed some of the misconceptions about eligibility and how this tax credit could provide significant savings for our industry members. Boiled Down rebroadcasts the interview portion of the July webinar and talks briefly about some key advocacy updates.

Guests:

In a year like no other, we look at how the 2021 Legislative Session will affect Oregon’s hospitality industry. Our guest and Contract Lobbyist, Bill Perry of Balance Point Strategies delves into the changes to the legislative format during the pandemic and how that has altered the exchange of information. We also talk about what hospitality-related bills came up, died, and what is still in play. Discover the latest with TLT, lotte...

In this bonus episode, ORLA President & CEO Jason Brandt, along with host and Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley, walk through some of the many successes and challenges we’ve had this past year. They take a little deeper dive into some of the current issues, what led us to this point and the solutions we have been advocating for all along. Also hear about programs and new training opportunities developed by th...

Together with SAIF Corporation experts, we try to highlight and clarify some of the new guidance Oregon’s hospitality professionals are putting into place. Hear some real-life examples of how organizations are putting procedures in place and some of the challenges in implementing the new rules. Learn about what you can and cannot mandate surrounding vaccines, what notifications you’ll need to do if a COVID-19 exposure occurs, and m...

A business owner’s potential liability with regard to employment practices in the workplace has been one of the most challenging exposures they have and will continue to face, including an aging workforce, #MeToo, increased wage and hour enforcement, and continuously expanding state employment legislation. And now owners face new challenges brought on by the events of 2020 like COVID-19 and political unrest.

Guests:

• Anne Hasens...

Discover all the work Travel Oregon does to grow our state economy by promoting tourism. In this episode, Teresa O'Neill and Carole Astley of Travel Oregon walk us through the many programs and events offered by the Tourism Commission, including the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism and the Oregon Rural Tourism Conference. We talk about the wide variety of research being conducted to benefit the state and help leaders make in...

"Hospitality begins with safety," so this episode we're talking emergency preparedness. Althea Rizzo joins us from the Office of Emergency Management to help us boil down what businesses can do to prepare for a disaster. Learn more about how communities will respond, who is most vulnerable and what resources exist to help Oregon businesses be ready.

Guest: Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Coordinator, Oregon Office of Emergency Mana...

Hear cautionary tales of the industry and how the Oregon Secretary of State's Office of Small Business Assistance can help. Discover how this resource team has helped other Oregon businesses, including those starting, growing or winding down a business. Learn what to do if you believe you've been subject to unreasonable or unfair state regulatory actions, including: investigations, excessive fines or penalties, even threats or othe...

ORLA's Greg, Nicole and Steve boil down some of the industry chatter around the state, what's happening where, and the overall trends impacting Oregon's hospitality industry. From an industry-insider perspective, they touch on Portland protests and the City's counter measures, why brewpubs are closing, and a new wave of suburban migration. Hear more about new food cart pod regulations, Corporate Activities Tax rule making, and the ...

We've got the OLCC's Executive Director and Deputy Director in the house answering all our alcohol and marijuana-related industry questions. Our conversation boils down what the License Fee increases mean and how they will help fund automation and software upgrades in the future. You'll also hear about pilot projects with liter sizes, what is legal with CBD and edibles, and new acceptable IDs for Canadians via NEXUS cards.

Guests: ...

Lindsey Miller, National Restaurant Association grassroots advocacy manager and Nicole Peterson, ORLA government affairs coordinator talk about the Portland Kitchen Cabinet, a civic engagement program committed to growing and preserving opportunity in the local restaurant industry. We discuss the importance of grassroots advocacy around the country as well as local community initiatives that help drive relationships with peers, nei...