Member Update
July 1, 2020
What's Inside:
Help Your Customers Help You
Safety Guidelines Press Release
Beware: Fake Face Mask Exempt Cards
We're Here to Help
New Webinars: Operating Now
Deal: ServSafe Online
New Travel Survey Results
HM In The News
In Other News
Have You Taken Our Survey?
Help Your Customers Help You
Job one as an operator is to make every conceivable effort to comply with the state’s guidance – to keep your employees safe and feeling supported, to minimize the risk of spreading COVID, and to ensure that ALL hospitality businesses can stay open.
You can help your customers help you stay open by: 
  • Using a standard script when taking reservations, outlining what is expected of guests visiting your establishment.  Think of it like the flight attendant’s recitation of the safety requirements. (When was the last time you smoked a cigarette in the bathroom or failed to put your tray table up while landing?) 
  • Posting signage in visible places that help them understand what they can do. Here are files you are free to download and print: 
  • WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS: We are pleased to welcome you.| Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 
  • Wear Your Mask, So Our Business Can Stay Open | Stay Safe MN/State of Minnesota 


You can find more resources on our Coronavirus Response web sit e .
Safety Guidelines Press Release

Our industry's survival is dependent on every operator following the safety guidelines, and engaging their customers to do the same. Today, in partnership with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association and Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild issued a press release to build greater awareness and commitment to the guidelines. "By doing our part to maintain social distancing and wearing a mask in bars and restaurants, we show respect for each other's safety and support of our favorite businesses ability to continue operation,” stated Liz Rammer, Hospitality Minnesota CEO in the release. 

Beware: Fake Face Mask Exempt Cards
Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald is warning people to be on the lookout for fake “face mask exempt cards” showing up. The cards falsely show the Department of Justice logo and reference the American with Disabilities Act. 

We're Here To Help!

If you need help interpreting the State’s guidance  or completing your Preparedness Plan , don’t hesitate to let us know AIA-Minnesota has a program that will pair you with an architect to explore options for your space that will help you comply with social distancing guidelines. By doing these things, you’ll be taking the lead doing everything you can to keep your employees and guests safe, and the industry open.  Contact us .

Operating Now
Running your business in the context of COVID-19 means learning to navigate an ever-changing landscape. To help your business thrive we’ve lined up experts in areas ranging from taxes to liability to marketing and more. Join us for the next 6 weeks to understand what “Operating Now” means for you and your business.

Tuesday, July 7, 1:30-2:30pm: Restaurant Restart and
PPP Forgiveness with CLA

Karen Blacik, BizOps Chief Financial Officer for CLA, and Rachael O'Leary, Manager of CLA Oak Brook, bring their personal experience in the hospitality industry and their financial expertise to this webinar, Restaurant Restart and PPP Forgiveness. Register

Thursday, July 9, 10:00-11:00 am: Consumer Attitudes and the
"See You Soon" Campaign with Explore Minnesota

Pat Simmons and Leann Kispert of Explore Minnesota will discuss consumer attitudes and comfort levels about travel with the risk of COVID-19, the "See You Soon" recovery marketing campaign, and provide you with tools you can use to further build consumer. Register

New Travel Survey Results
The American Hotel & Lodging Association today released a survey they'd commissioned to look at Americans' travel plans for 2020. 44% of respondents indicated they are planning overnight or leisure travel in 2020.

Key findings among those planning to travel include:
 
  • What kind of travel they’re planning: 81% expect to take a day trip and 72% expect to take an overnight vacation via car within the next five months. The overwhelming majority do not expect to take cruises (14%), camper/RV trips (28%), or vacations via plane (32%) in 2020. 
  • How far they’re traveling: Among those planning a vacation via car, 75% plan to travel two or more hours (40% plan to drive more than four hours, and 35% plan to drive two to four hours). 
  • Where they’re staying: On their next overnight trip, 43% say they will stay with family or friends, 39% in a hotel, 9% in a short-term rental, and 5% in a camper/RV. 
  • How long they’re staying: 78% are planning trips of four nights or less. 
  • Why they’re traveling: 55% plan to travel for a family event, such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or family reunion; 50% plan to travel for Christmas, 43% for Thanksgiving, 33% for 4th of July, and 30% for Labor Day. 

Download the full report

HM In The News
In Other News
Have You Completed Our Survey?

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 .