Connecticut Lodging Association
12/14/2021
Deadline to Apply - Hurricane IDA Disaster Relief Loans
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents in Connecticut following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

The disaster declaration covers Fairfield, New Haven and New London counties, including the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribal Nation in Connecticut, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland and Windham.

SBA is committed to the Connecticut small business community’s economic recovery all small business in an Ida-affected territory is encouraged to apply. Learn more about the process and how to apply for a low-interest disaster loan. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 29, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 1, 2022.

Local Disaster Assistance Sites are: 
  • Darien Library, 1441 Post Rd. Darien
  • Addison Corporate Center, 175 Addison Rd. Windsor
  • Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Tpke., Norwich
  • Bridgeport Main Public Library, 925 Broad St., Bridgeport

Applicants may also apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email  disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  
Noelle Stevenson Named New Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is pleased to announce that Noelle Stevenson has been named the new Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism.

Noelle has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in destination marketing organizations, with experience in entertainment, cultural and lifestyle tourism. She has been responsible for marketing, advertising, brand strategy, public relations, partnerships, festivals and events, and hospitality programs with a proven track record of generating strong economic impact.

“Tourism is at its best when we can reach a group of diverse audiences and help instill a feeling of curiosity and innovation about a place. Connecticut has a treasure trove of experiences for both residents and out-of-state visitors and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and partners around the state and maximizing our opportunity for growth.”  - Noelle Stevenson
New England Food Show
The region’s largest restaurant and foodservice event serving both the foodservice and retail sectors. The latest products, services, and technologies will be showcased along with a leading-edge program of education and demonstrations that provides restaurants, retail, and foodservice establishments from New England with the best tools to grow and improve their business. For more information, click here.

Registration is now open for the New England Food Show 2022. All CLA members are eligible for a unique promo code to receive free registration. Please contact us at info@ctlodging.org for further details.

April 3-5, 2022
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center | Boston, MA
Coronavirus (COVID19) in Connecticut
Connecticut Update: as of Dec.13, 2021 4:00 p.m. portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
Overall Summary Total**; Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases 447,316; +1,220
COVID-19 Tests Reported; 12,880,902; +55,146
Daily Test Positivity; 2.21%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19; 645; +60
**Includes confirmed plus probable cases
U.S. - COVID19: What is the current situation?
Cases & Latest Updates 12/13/21 Cases in U.S.
Total cases: 49,322,567 +119,895
Total deaths: 788,903 +1,780
Global
World Health Organization Situation Report who.int
269,468,311; cases; +4,075,903
5,304,248; deaths; +48,191

Connecticut News

One Million Mattresses Recycled in Connecticut’s First-in-the-Nation Program ctnewsjunkie.com

One year since getting COVID vaccine, CT doctor still ‘confident’ in science ctinsider.com
National News

Covid-19 milestones: 800,000 deaths, 50 million infections, 1 year of vaccines cnn.com

South Africa finds omicron 'highly transmissible' and more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines
Hotel News
Knowland: November Meetings and Events Volume Decreased lodgingmagazine.com

Deloitte Survey Finds a Shift in Consumers’ Restaurant Preferences lodgingmagazine.com

More Than 109 Million Americans to Travel for the Holidays hotelnewsresource.com

Update on American Travel Trends & Sentiment
Survey: 86% of Hotels Impacted by Supply Chain Issues
Supply chain disruptions are impacting more than eight in ten surveyed hotels, according to AHLA’s latest Front Desk Feedback survey of members. With responses from more than 500 hotel operators, the results demonstrate how widespread supply chain issues are. Key findings include:

  • 86% of respondents report that supply chain disruptions were having a moderate or significant impact on their operations
  • 52% say the problem has gotten worse over the past three months
  • 74% say supply chain issues are having a negative impact on business revenue

The survey further underscores the challenges facing hotels. AHLA will continue to push for Congress to provide targeted federal relief, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, so hotel employees and operators can get through these difficult times.
 
AHLA encourages hoteliers to reach out to Platinum Partner Avendra, Gold Partner Ecolab and other Allied members for support navigating supply chain challenges.
Resources