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.
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Governor lifts mask mandate to align with CDC guidance, announces end to COVID-19 mitigation measures May 28
What does this mean?
- Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
- Some exceptions for fully vaccinated people apply, such as in healthcare or congregate settings or while traveling.
- Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments.
- Employees in certain business sectors - including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment - must wear masks unless fully vaccinated.
- Masks will be required in K-12 public schools.
- People who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
- The Governor will take executive action to ensure that individuals will have the option to wear masks after the state of emergency ends June 30.
In addition, the Governor has announced that all COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as social distancing and capacity requirements, will end on May 28.
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VRLTA launches FREE job training program
VRLTA recently received grant funding from GO Virginia Region 4 and local partners to create a free job training and upskilling program. In addition, some funds will be used to promote VRLTA's hospitality industry job board. See the press release here. Key details of the program include:
- The program offers the training to restaurant and lodging workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or currently working in the industry.
- Training is available to those who live or work in GO Virginia Region 4, which includes the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond; and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, Surry, and Sussex.
- Classes are available to all levels, from entry-level to management employees. Each training package offers employees training options to be successful in their current job and grow in the industry.
- Training is provided through the NRA's ServSafe and ServSuccess programs and AHLA's Educational Institute.
- Individuals can register for training and businesses can request training for their employees.
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Training is completely free for those that sign up - training costs are covered by grant monies.
- You do not need to be a member of VRLTA to participate.
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Upcoming Hiring Event
VRLTA is working with the Virginia Employment Commission on an upcoming hiring event:
- May 27, 1 - 5 p.m. for employers and job seekers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Hampton Roads and Shenandoah Valley. Free for a virtual booth and for job seekers to attend.
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New VRLTA Event - Restaurant Component Meeting
Join the VRLTA Restaurant Component on June 9 at 10 a.m. for the Restaurant Component Meeting. During this meeting, our Restaurant Component Members will be updated on issues that are directly related to their industry sector. We will conclude this meeting with Q&A. We look forward to connecting with all of our VRLTA Restaurant Component members!
Meeting Agenda
- Welcome and Introductions- Component Officers, Tony Stafford & Shannon Conway
- Government Affairs update on changes to legislation- VRLTA President, Eric Terry & VRLTA Director of Government Affairs, Robert Melvin
- Staffing for the Recovery- VRLTA Vice President of Education & Workforce Development, Jim Wilson
- Panel Discussion with Curt Archambault, Vice President of People, Performance Strategies and Antwon Brinson, CEO of Culinary Concepts AB
- Q&A
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Virginia Tech Presents Women Impact Virginia Event: Focus on Hospitality and Tourism and featuring VTC's Rita McClenny
Join Virginia Tech on Wednesday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the second session of this free professional development series focused on engaging, connecting and inspiring women who want to make an impact on their communities. This half-day session will feature leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry, including three fast-track sessions exploring topics of diversity and inclusion, sustainability and innovative pivots for the pandemic. Our keynote speakers will share their own stories of leadership and success, and our Hokie Highlight will look at the partnerships and initiatives Virginia Tech is fostering to lead advances in the hospitality and tourism industry.
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Mark Your Calendar!
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May 20, 2 p.m. - VRLTA Shenandoah 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
- May 26, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Travel Component Meeting: Tourism Improvement Districts - Creation, Implementation, and Best Practices - Learn more and register here.
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May 26, 3 p.m. - VRLTA Fairfax - Loudoun 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
- May 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Virginia Tech Women Impact Virginia event focused on Hospitality and Tourism. Learn more and register here.
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May 27, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Bull Run 2nd Quarter Virtual Chapter Meeting. Register here.
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May 27, 1-5 p.m. - VRLTA/VEC Hiring Event (see above)
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June 9, 9 a.m. - Richmond Region Tourism I Am Tourism Class. Register here.
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June 9, 10 a.m. - VRLTA Restaurant Component Meeting. Register here.
Other Webinar Resources...
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Past VRLTA webinars can be seen here.
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National Restaurant Association on-demand webinars on a variety of topics can be found here.
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AHLA also has many on-demand webinars for members. Find them here.
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The Restaurant Law Center has free webinars on demand here.
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The U.S. Travel Association has past webinars available for download here.
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VRLTA Job Board: FREE Listings for VRLTA Members
VRLTA's hospitality- and tourism-specific job board currently has over 250 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. There's no cost or risk to members -give it a try!
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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 to all who have already signed on (over 230 organizations!); if you haven't yet had a chance, please take a minute to advocate for tourism and hospitality. |
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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. 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!
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant Update
The RRF applications are open, and if you qualify, but haven't yet applied, you should do so as soon as possible. Submit your application at restaurants.sba.gov.
The NRA is asking for additional funding and wants restaurants and other interested parties to sign their petition to federal leadership. Do that by clicking the button below.
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You received an RRF grant - what's next?
The NRA has produced a resource (mentioned in the video above) to help guide recipients who have received an RRF grant. See that document here.
What to expect after you have applied:
- As outlined by Congress, SBA will review applications from priority applications groups first.
- Applicants who have submitted non-priority applications will remain in "Review" status while priority applications are processed during the first 21 days.
- SBA does not anticipate communicating with applicants in "Review" status during this period.
- Following a successful application submission, all applications will enter “IRS verification” status. This process may take up to seven days and allows the SBA to validate your application submission. No action is needed from applicants for this process.
- To make corrections following submission and before award funding, applicants must revisit the application portal or call the support hotline to submit the correction, new documentation, and initiate a restart of the timeline for review.
- If an applicant initiates a restart, it may take 14 days from the time of resubmission for SBA to finalize review.
- The SBA will not allow corrections to awards that have been paid to awardees.
- An additional 4506T form submission is not required after applicants sign the application during the e-sign process.
- Applicants can submit a message using the platform inbox for help when on the web portal.
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Want to be featured on Member Monday?
We want to share your story! Each week, we highlight a member on our social media accounts, and it could be you! Tell us what's special or new about your organization, why you joined VRLTA, and what benefits you like. Want to have a chance to be featured? Fill out this quick form for us. Thanks!
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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!
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