4/29/21
The Slice gives you all the news you can use. Each issue will include the latest news, COVID-19 updates, legislative news, and other relevant items for our readers. Please let us know if you'd like to see anything in particular or have other feedback - just email marketing@vrlta.org.
What's the Latest?
IMMEDIATE ACTION ALERT! Sign on to support VRLTA's funding request to help hospitality and tourism

VRLTA recently submitted a request to the general assembly asking for comprehensive support for tourism and hospitality. The request totals over $273 million. See the proposal here.

To show the General Assembly that our request has widespread support, we are asking members and others in the industry to sign on to the request. You can do that in less than 2 minutes by filling out this quick form.

Thank you for advocating for tourism and hospitality.
Governor loosens additional restrictions starting May 15

On May 15, Virginia will lift additional restrictions that may affect your business. Changes include:

  • Restaurants:
  • Can resume alcohol sales after midnight
  • Dining rooms can stay open from midnight until 5 a.m.
  • Bar seating is allowed with six feet of distance between parties (changed as of 4/21/21)
  • Entertainment venues:
  • Indoor venues can operate at 50% capacity or 1000 people (up from 30% or 500 people)
  • Outdoor venues can operate at 50% capacity with no cap on attendance
  • Social gatherings:
  • Allowed attendance at outdoor events will increase from 100 to 250
  • Allowed attendance at indoor events will increase from 50 to 100
  • Recreational sporting events:
  • Outdoor events can have 1000 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is less (up from 500 people)
  • Indoor events can have 250 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is less (up from 100 people)
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant

The NRA has released additional information on applying for the RRF grant. VRLTA and the NRA are recommending that you submit your application on the first day, as funds from the first round of funding are expected to run out, and it is unclear whether additional rounds will occur.

Important dates:

  • Register for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT.
  • Submit your application at restaurants.sba.gov starting on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT.

NEW resources:


The Small Business Administration, the NRA, VRLTA, and the restaurant associations in Washington D.C. and Maryland held a webinar last week with the latest information on the RRF grants. You can view it here. See the NRA's slides from the webinar here and the SBA's slides from the webinar here.

Other related resources:
Action Alert! Save Hotel Jobs Act Update

AHLA and Unite Here have joined forces to save hotels and hotel jobs. The organizations have been working for months on the Save Hotel Jobs Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL 13th District). The bill provides a lifeline to hotel workers and hoteliers, providing critical assistance to bring back workers and to help bridge the gap until travel returns.
 
While leisure travel is resuming, business travel -- the largest source of hotel revenue -- is down 85% and is not expected to return soon. Full recovery is not expected until 2024.

The Save Hotel Jobs Act will provide critical support right now. Key provisions include:

  • Supporting Hotel Workers: Direct payroll grants, in an amount up to three months’ worth of pre-pandemic payroll cost, to be utilized for payroll and benefits expenses for workers. The legislation would require grantees to give laid-off workers recall rights to ensure those who lost their jobs are able to return to work.
  • Allowing Worker-Friendly Tax Credits: Provides a Personal Protective Equipment Tax Credit to promote worker safety measures, which would allow for a payroll tax credit for 50% of costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, technology designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic, increased testing for employees, and enhanced cleaning protocols that do not negatively impact the level of work for housekeeping staff. 
 
Other hard-hit industries have received direct aid – such as airlines, restaurants, and live venues – but hotels are suffering just as badly if not worse than any other sector of the economy. To gain support for this bill so it has a chance of becoming law, your help is needed. Contact your legislators using this quick form today!
NRA releases latest Restaurant Survey results

The NRA has released results from the latest impact survey. Results were collected from April 1 - 14. See below for Virginia-specific results.
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar!

  • May 11, 4 p.m. - VRLTA Charlottesville 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 12, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Webinar: Employee Retention Credit. Register here.
  • May 13, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Norfolk 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 18, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Arlington - Alexandria 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 18, 2 p.m. - VRLTA Richmond 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 20, 2 p.m. - VRLTA Shenandoah 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 26, 3 p.m. - VRLTA Fairfax - Loudoun 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
  • May 27, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Bull Run 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.

Other Webinar Resources...

  • Past VRLTA webinars can be seen here.
  • National Restaurant Association on-demand webinars on a variety of topics can be found here.
  • AHLA also has many on-demand webinars for members. Find them here.
  • The Restaurant Law Center has free webinars on demand here.
  • The U.S. Travel Association has past webinars available for download here.
Government Affairs
2020 Legislation with delayed enactment takes effect May 1, 2021

Remember, some new legislation goes into effect May 1 which may affect your business.
Department of Homeland Security to Make Additional 22,000 Temporary, Non-Agricultural Worker Visas Available

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on April 19 that it is taking action to ensure that American businesses are equipped with the resources needed to recover successfully and contribute to the economic health of local communities. In light of increased labor demands, DHS is announcing a supplemental increase of 22,000 visas for the H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program.

AHLA and the H-2B Workforce coalition have been working with Congress on H-2B reform legislation which will permanently increase the cap while simultaneously working on Appropriations language to provide further relief in the FY’22 appropriations package.

For more details, see the full press release.
Workforce & Education
Virginia Career Works holding statewide hiring event

On May 4, from 1 - 4 p.m., Virginia Career Works is hosting a virtual hiring event. Employers can register here to participate.
VRLTA Job Board: FREE Listings for VRLTA Members

VRLTA's hospitality- and tourism-specific job board currently has over 230 jobs listed. Has your company listed open positions? If not, you might be missing that perfect candidate.

VRLTA members get unlimited listings for free (choose 30, 60 or 90 days - up to $100 value for each listing!). A 30-day listing for nonmembers is just $50. Job seekers can search jobs statewide and post their resume in the resume bank. Take advantage of your membership and get free listings through the end of the year. There's no cost or risk to members - why not give it a try?
More News You Can Use
Optum Health survey on hospitality industry mental health

Optum Health and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are committed to supporting the hospitality industry, its workforce and improving the quality of life for those we serve. Help us understand what support employers are looking for to support the mental health needs of workers in our industry by filling out a brief questionnaire. Your insights will inform strategies, tools, and resources developed to address our industry’s existing and emerging mental health needs. The questionnaire should take around 10 minutes.
Want to be featured on Member Monday?

Our new effort to recognize VRLTA members on social media is a hit! Want to have a chance to be featured? Fill out this quick form for us. Thanks!
Virginia Travel Guide now available

The 2021 Virginia Travel Guide is now available! The Guide is the official guide of VRLTA and is distributed at all Virginia Welcome Centers, State Rest Areas and regional visitor centers throughout the state. Check it out here!
Sign up for Richmond Region Tourism's I Am Tourism (IAT) Ambassador Class

Richmond Region Tourism has upcoming sessions of their I Am Tourism training class. The program is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the Richmond Region and local tourism assets. The training includes an overview of the economic impact of tourism in the Richmond region; information about the attractions, restaurants and business partners located in the area; and a virtual tour of favorite places in the region. Upon completion of the 2 hour online class, IAT graduates will be eligible to receive their IAT Ambassador Toolkit which includes the Attractions Guest Pass which offers free or reduced admission to many of the area attractions.

Upcoming classes:
  • Tuesday, May 11 from 2pm-4pm and registration is available HERE.
  • Wednesday, June 9 from 9am-11am and registration is available HERE.
 
Complete details and videos about the I Am Tourism program can be found at IATRVA.COM. 
Vaccine now available to anyone in Virginia aged 16+

As of April 18, anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to get a vaccine in Virginia. What does this mean? If you can find a vaccine, you are eligible to receive it! Trying to find a vaccine? Check out these resources: