Chair of the Board: Letter to Membership
By: Paul Hess | August 2022
I am writing to you fresh off an extraordinary Summer Board Meeting in Petoskey where we had the opportunity to gather with our Board of Directors representing some of Michigan’s most effective and influential hospitality executives. First, I must say “hat’s off and many thanks” to Stafford’s Hospitality team who did an amazing job hosting the three-day event; they continue to represent Michigan hospitality at the highest standards.
While we certainly enjoyed our time in Northern Michigan, we also addressed a host of industry-related business matters and we were able to accomplish a great deal in our meetings and discussions. Among the most important topics was the recent matter of the Michigan Court of Claims ruling and subsequent stay on minimum wage, the tip credit and paid sick leave. Additionally, we probed into the recent notification that we will once again be dealing with a ballot initiative on the same issues in 2024.
As our meeting and discussions began, I tried to get a feel for the mood and take the temperature of the room in light of recent events. In doing so, I was delighted to again witness first-hand the determination and strength of our board leaders and staff! By the end of our meetings, it was absolutely confirmed to me that the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) was formed and exists exactly for times like these; times defined by great predicament and great need. We know that the strategic work and planning implemented over the last three years have prepared us well for this new and challenging world, one with more demand and seemingly far fewer resources.
Considering the matters of spiraling costs coupled with the court ruling and ballot initiative, one might think that this type of business environment would threaten to put a damper on our gathering. But once again, the resiliency of our leadership, reflecting the same passion and spirit we see from our members, did exactly what you might expect. That is, they rallied to renew their commitment to battle for rational business solutions on the labor front, they shared ideas on solutions to rising inflation and vowed to continue to work hard to make our industry better for our guests, our employees and our stakeholders. They reported on innovative plans that are underway to continue to address workforce development, address labor issues and rising costs, create opportunities for all of us utilizing emerging technologies, promote women in leadership, support the needs of displaced hospitality workers, enhance member benefits, and strengthen our association to a level never achieved in the past. And, of course, they did all of this with the energy and enthusiasm that you would assume from such an outstanding group of leaders.
For the last three years, the MRLA has been working tirelessly to better address our industry’s most stubborn problems. Our perspective has been to take the long view and thankfully, we remain on track with our mission to lead the hospitality industry through advocacy, education and innovation. We can all be very proud of everyone that has contributed to our response—what the board and the MRLA staff have done and how they did it. We have not missed a step in executing the five main goals of our Strategic Plan as the association continues to step up and fight for all of us. This is our motivation. This is our passion. This is our duty. For an organization that is 100 years old, this functioning dexterity through the most challenging of times is truly remarkable.
Together, we will continue to create solutions and become better people and better operators than we were yesterday. Sometimes the improvements will be in obvious and quantifiable ways, sometime in less apparent and less tangible ways. When we come together, share ideas, find inspiration through and with our peers, we are a force to be reckoned with. In the end, all of this happens because of all of you. Your support of the MRLA through your membership, your input, your leadership, and your shared stories and shared vision of success all become part of the nucleus of what makes the MRLA one of the most respected and influential trade associations in the State of Michigan.
In closing, I encourage you to continue to rely upon one another, find your inspiration through your peers as we all share our stories, keep in close touch with the MRLA through the website and keep moving forward one day and one step at a time.
With continued optimism, I wish you and your families health, happiness and prosperity.
Sincerely,
Paul Hess
Epoch Hospitality Group
MRLA Chairman
While we certainly enjoyed our time in Northern Michigan, we also addressed a host of industry-related business matters and we were able to accomplish a great deal in our meetings and discussions. Among the most important topics was the recent matter of the Michigan Court of Claims ruling and subsequent stay on minimum wage, the tip credit and paid sick leave. Additionally, we probed into the recent notification that we will once again be dealing with a ballot initiative on the same issues in 2024.
As our meeting and discussions began, I tried to get a feel for the mood and take the temperature of the room in light of recent events. In doing so, I was delighted to again witness first-hand the determination and strength of our board leaders and staff! By the end of our meetings, it was absolutely confirmed to me that the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) was formed and exists exactly for times like these; times defined by great predicament and great need. We know that the strategic work and planning implemented over the last three years have prepared us well for this new and challenging world, one with more demand and seemingly far fewer resources.
Considering the matters of spiraling costs coupled with the court ruling and ballot initiative, one might think that this type of business environment would threaten to put a damper on our gathering. But once again, the resiliency of our leadership, reflecting the same passion and spirit we see from our members, did exactly what you might expect. That is, they rallied to renew their commitment to battle for rational business solutions on the labor front, they shared ideas on solutions to rising inflation and vowed to continue to work hard to make our industry better for our guests, our employees and our stakeholders. They reported on innovative plans that are underway to continue to address workforce development, address labor issues and rising costs, create opportunities for all of us utilizing emerging technologies, promote women in leadership, support the needs of displaced hospitality workers, enhance member benefits, and strengthen our association to a level never achieved in the past. And, of course, they did all of this with the energy and enthusiasm that you would assume from such an outstanding group of leaders.
For the last three years, the MRLA has been working tirelessly to better address our industry’s most stubborn problems. Our perspective has been to take the long view and thankfully, we remain on track with our mission to lead the hospitality industry through advocacy, education and innovation. We can all be very proud of everyone that has contributed to our response—what the board and the MRLA staff have done and how they did it. We have not missed a step in executing the five main goals of our Strategic Plan as the association continues to step up and fight for all of us. This is our motivation. This is our passion. This is our duty. For an organization that is 100 years old, this functioning dexterity through the most challenging of times is truly remarkable.
Together, we will continue to create solutions and become better people and better operators than we were yesterday. Sometimes the improvements will be in obvious and quantifiable ways, sometime in less apparent and less tangible ways. When we come together, share ideas, find inspiration through and with our peers, we are a force to be reckoned with. In the end, all of this happens because of all of you. Your support of the MRLA through your membership, your input, your leadership, and your shared stories and shared vision of success all become part of the nucleus of what makes the MRLA one of the most respected and influential trade associations in the State of Michigan.
In closing, I encourage you to continue to rely upon one another, find your inspiration through your peers as we all share our stories, keep in close touch with the MRLA through the website and keep moving forward one day and one step at a time.
With continued optimism, I wish you and your families health, happiness and prosperity.
Sincerely,
Paul Hess
Epoch Hospitality Group
MRLA Chairman
