Member Update
June 26, 2020
What's Inside:
Leadership Moment
Compliance Is Key
EMT Launches New Campaign
Allied Member Group | August Panel
Your Input Is Crucial
In the News
Leadership Moment
We have to talk. 

As a member of Hospitality Minnesota, you’ve staked a leadership claim in this industry, and we need your leadership, now more than ever.  

We’re at a critical juncture. Either businesses comply with the guidance and stay open, eventually to open more fully, or they don’t comply and the state enacts its claw back actions and our businesses will be forced to close again.    

It’s in every member’s best interest to demonstrate leadership by ensuring your operations are in compliance with Minnesota’s re-opening guidance. Wear masks, manage social distancing, practice heightened sanitation and follow the other key requirements. These things are mandatory, not optional. 

Use your leadership to make certain other operators are adhering to the requirements. Peer-to-peer communication can go a long way in securing the compliance that's needed to keep our businesses open, so “if you see something, say something.”  Those who are not in compliance will cause harm to our already vulnerable industry. Staying open depends on the community staying healthy.   

It’s not okay for foodservice staff to work without wearing a mask. It’s not okay to allow crowding anywhere in an establishment. And, it is absolutely not okay to have to shut down our businesses again after months of closure. 

We’ve worked hard to get to where we find ourselves today, working toward the recovery of our industry. Your operation’s future depends on the actions of the entire industry - members and non-members of Hospitality Minnesota - doing the right thing. You can help us by sending a strong message to those operators who feel the rules are not for them.  

Everyone needs to recognize the state reopening guidance is in place to protect our operators, employees and the public from COVID-19. This is not going away any time soon, and our actions now will determine how we will weather the months ahead.  

Thank you for your care, concern and commitment to our collective efforts in keeping our communities safe and the momentum going in the right direction.  

Liz Rammer, President & CEO 
Compliance Is Key
News of spikes from around the country are a cause for great concern as we watch governors in southern states walk back their reopening strategies. Today, Texas and Florida have announced they are closing down bars to stem the swiftly accelerating spread. Minnesota has seen a super-spreader events tied to four bars, in Mankato and Minneapolis , and 20-somethings are now the largest COVID-19-positive age group.

Compliance with the primary requirements in the state’s  Industry Guidance for Safely Reopening: Restaurants & Bars   is our industry’s best pathway to avoid the state’s claw back actions. Those requirements are:
  1. Adopt and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan 
  2. Ensure a minimum of 6 feet of distance between tables–social distancing is the bedrock principle 
  3. Require workers to wear masks at all times, and strongly encourage customers to wear masks when not eating or drinking  
  4. Limit indoor occupant capacity to no more than 50% up to 250 persons 
  5. Do not exceed 250 persons in outdoor spaces 
  6. Limit table service to 4 persons, or 6 if part of one family unit 
  7. Require reservations 

We’re all in this together.
EMT Launches New Campaign
Explore Minnesota Tourism is launching “ See You Soon ” next week. This recovery campaign is aimed at tapping the “Minnesota spirit” to build optimism that will get consumers thinking about getting out again. Knowing that many are not ready to travel, the campaign aims to highlight open spaces and outdoor experiences to help travelers regain a sense of comfort and normalcy. 

Watch for the :30 spot , along with digital ads, social media and radio broadcasts. The soft launch started on June 22, with a full launch on June 29. 
Allied Network Group | August Meeting
Join us via Zoom for the August Allied Network Meeting featuring a virtual COVID-related panel of three hoteliers: Howard Anderson of ZMC Hotels in Duluth, Jason Subbert of TPI Hospitality in Fairmont, and Rick Bertram of the Minneapolis Marriott City Center Hotel. 

Learn about the COVID-related struggles, innovations, and needs from operators in the lodging industry. Representing multiple properties and a wide swath of MN, our panelists will provide viewpoints from a variety of lodging facilities and locations.  Register
Your Input Is Crucial 
As we did at the time of the initial closure and again one month in, we’re asking you to share the real impact the pandemic is having on your business and our industry. Please take a few moments to complete this short survey  by July 3.
Our Member Updates are generally sent to members only. In the interest of public health and the health of our industry, we encourage you to share this update widely. Additional resources can be found on our  website  and through our social media posts on   Facebook , LinkedIn  and  Twitter .