Connecticut Lodging Association
Coronavirus Update 9/28/2021
2021 CLA Officers & Directors
We are excited to announce the CLA Board of Directors for 2021!

2021 CLA Officers

Duane Schroder – President, Waterford Hotel Group
Nick Lorusso - Vice President, Hilton Hotel, Hartford
Lynn Dell - Secretary, Doubletree Hotel, Bristol
Jon Norton - Treasurer, Omar Coffee Company, Newington
Steve Matiatos – Immediate Past President, Courtyard by Marriott New Haven at Yale
Victor Antico Jr.- Past President, Holiday Inn Express, Vernon 
Michael Trosin - Past President, Marriott Hartford/Windsor, Windsor

CLA Directors

Term Ending 2022
Mike Ferguson, New Haven Hotel, New Haven
Amy Munoz, The Whaler's Inn, Mystic
Lindsey Struck, Hampton Inn & Suites, Manchester

Term Ending 2023
Traci LaShomb, CHA, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Uncasville
Dinu Patel, Rodeway Inn & Suites, Branford
Meri Wick, Westbrook Inn Bed & Breakfast, Westbrook
John Lombardo, Saybrook Point Inn, Marina and Spa, Old Saybrook

Term Ending 2024
Michael Marques, Hampton Inn, Shelton
Robins Patel, JNR Management, Manchester
Fernando Solis, Courtyard by Marriott, Cromwell
 
Allied Members
Scott Dolch, Connecticut Restaurant Association
Bob Forcier - Education Representative, Mitchell College 
Robert Murdock - CVB Representative, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau
Atty. Bud O'Donnell - Allied Representative, FordHarrison
Win Smith III – Marketing Representative, Hospitality and Luxury Brand Consultant
First Winter Tourism Campaign
For the first time, The Connecticut Office of Tourism is developing a full campaign to promote winter visitation. We want to feature as many partners and experiences as possible, and as this is our first winter campaign, we need fantastic photos and footage to showcase Connecticut as a winter wonderland—with a variety of enjoyable experiences.

Does your business have great winter offerings? We want to hear from you—and we want to see your photos.

Tell us about:
  • Winter favorites (e.g., skiing, snow tubing, snowmobiling)
  • Unique outdoor activities or events for families and adults (e.g., outdoor winter dining experiences, winter festivals, holiday happenings)
  • New or unique indoor activities or events for families and adults (e.g., exhibits, shows, indoor active adventures
  • Winter wonderland views (e.g., downtowns, parks, vineyard or seaside winter views)
  • Any experience for which you have great winter photos or footage

Share your thoughts—and any photos or videos—with Jean Hebert at Jean.Hebert@ct.gov. 
This tool will make it easier for you to share images and videos with us, even if they are large files. Share your images with us today!
Coronavirus (COVID19) in Connecticut
Connecticut Update: as of Sept.27, 2021 4:00 p.m. portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
Overall Summary Total**; Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases 389,177; +1,444
COVID-19 Tests Reported; 11,068,450; +64,771
Daily Test Positivity; 2.23%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19; 264; -18
**Includes confirmed plus probable cases
U.S. - COVID19: What is the current situation?
Cases & Latest Updates 9/27/21 Cases in U.S.
Total cases: 42,850,746 +30,928
Total deaths: 686,639 +267
Global
World Health Organization Situation Report who.int
231,703,120; cases; +286,460
4,746,620; deaths; 5,290
Connecticut News

Governor's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: Who in CT Needs to Be Vaccinated as of Today

CT House votes to extend Lamont's emergency powers through Feb. 2022, goes to Senate
National News

Daily pace of new Covid-19 vaccinations is the lowest since the CDC started tracking in mid-January cnn.com

U.S. Covid Deaths Still Over 2,000 A Day—But Some Signs Show Pandemic Receding forbes.com
Hotel News
Management Companies, Brand Mandates, and the Future of Hospitality lodgingmagazine.com

New Survey Finds Nearly 50% of Hospitality Workers Consider Switching Jobs for Better Workplace Technology hotel-online.com

What if Labor Shortage Is a Long-Term Threat to the Hospitality and Tourism Industry?

Business Travel Continues Slowed Recovery While Some Companies Consider New Travel Program Approaches hotel-online.com
AHLA Testifies in Support of Ominibus Travel and Tourism Act
AHLA Senior Vice President of Federal Affairs and Policy Counsel Chirag Shah testified in support of the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021 at a hearing before the Senate Commerce Subcommitee on Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion. As drafted, the bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act includes provisions to study the impacts of COVID-19 on the travel and tourism industry, restore Brand USA, and promote international travel to the United States. 
 
Shah also urged Senators to support the Save Hotel Jobs Act, which would provide direct relief to the lodging industry workforce, and the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, which would provide tax incentives to encourage business travel. Read Shah’s full testimony hereand view the hearing here.
DCF Human Trafficking Prevention Course for Lodging
Join us Thursday, October 7th for CLA's virtual training course on Human Trafficking Prevention from the CT Department of Children and Families. This course is open to any and all lodging employees. Please register each employee who will attend the course separately.

Please send any questions in advance to info@ctlodging.org, with subject line 10/7 HTP Question. 

When: Thursday, October 7, 2021 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Resources