From the Maryland Department of Labor:
Businesses Can Apply for Up to $50,000 in Flexible and Customizable Funding Beginning Today Will Receive Approval or Denial Within 5 Business Days of Applying. Initial Funds Already Helped 445 Small Businesses Remain Open and Saved Nearly 9,000 Jobs.
BALTIMORE, MD (October 28, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) today announced that an additional $20 million in funding is available for Maryland’s small businesses through an expansion of the successful COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund. Businesses undergoing financial stresses due to the pandemic can apply for up to $50,000 in flexible and customizable funding to maintain their workforce beginning today on Wednesday, October 28.

“Initially introduced in March, the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already helped 445 small businesses with an average of 20 employees stay open and saved nearly 9,000 Maryland jobs,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Through our Economic Recovery Initiative, we have allocated an additional $20 million to expand the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund and to provide further financial support to our state’s small businesses as they continue to adapt to and overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic.”

The governor’s initiative expands total funding to $30 million for the state’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund. Since announced by the Governor last Thursday, Labor has already reached out to all 130 small businesses who submitted an application prior to the program closing, but did not receive funding because the initial $10 million was exhausted. Seven of these priority applicants have been approved and 20 are under review.

“Labor’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already provided critical funding to small businesses representing nearly 20 diverse industry sectors, ranging from health care to retail, that are located in all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland,” said Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson. “By expanding the program, Governor Hogan is giving our team the opportunity to help hundreds of additional businesses stay afloat, forego layoffs of thousands of employees, and remain open for business.”

The COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award of up to $50,000 per applicant will be a quick deployable benefit that is customizable to the specific needs of the business to minimize the need for layoffs. Applications will be accepted through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or until funding has been fully exhausted. Businesses will receive approval or denial within 5 days of applying for the funding.
​
Award recipients have used the average award size of $22,738 per business for such things as purchasing remote access equipment and software to promote teleworking, assisting with employee training and education, purchasing cleaning supplies and services to maintain an onsite workforce, and taking advantage of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program by supplementing employee income.
To download the policy, application, and learn more about the eligibility requirements of the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Lodging industry, hit hardest by pandemic in Md., calls for relief 
​Three out of every 10 hotel employees are now furloughed or laid off and more than two-thirds of hotels report that they will only be able to last six more months at current projected revenue and occupancy levels absent any further relief.

Amy Rohrer, president and CEO of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association, said that the national numbers are in line with what those in the lodging industry are observing in Maryland. Additionally, according to Smith Travel Research, statewide occupancy was down 50% and statewide revenue was down 40% for the month of August, “which is not a point where hotels are breaking even and able to pay debt,” she says.

Rohrer said relief is especially necessary as hotels prepare for the winter — typically a slower season for the Maryland lodging industry. With no additional relief, Rohrer said, hotels will have to lay off more staff and decide if closure, whether it be permanent or temporary, is the best option. READ MORE (Maryland Daily Record)

Recall Legislation opposed by MHLA approved by Baltimore City Council
Bill 20-0544 passed third reader in a 12-3 vote by the Baltimore City Council on October 5, 2020. MHLA succeeded in getting an amendment that improves the bill for hotels; however the Association still strongly opposes the legislation as it continues to make its way through the legislative process. READ MORE via links below:

Baltimore City Council approves worker recall bill over law department, hotel industry objections (Baltimore Sun)
(Baltimore City Mayor) Young administration’s law department said the return-to-work bill was not the right way to help workers. It said legislation mandating an employer rehire a laid-off person is “an unconstitutional impairment of the employer/employee freedom of contract.”

That legal interpretation was dismissed by other attorneys who testified before the City Council, including those with the Public Justice Center.

The Maryland Hotel Lodging Association also opposed the legislation. Representatives said the bills would strip its members of flexibility needed to recover from the economic crisis, as it would require them to hire employees back based on seniority. That may not align with their immediate needs, they said.

Workers Who Were Laid Off Say They're Being Passed Over—For Their Own Jobs (Time.com)
The hospitality industry says it wants to bring back trained employees but that the need for them is not yet there.

Some employees who had seniority might not be trained in the work that hotels need them to do when they’re recalled, says Amy Rohrer, president of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association, which opposes the Baltimore ordinance. “We need flexibility to bring back the employees who will ensure smooth operations for the hotel and make our guests feel comfortable when they’re traveling,” she says.

“Who is to say that an employee with four years of experience, who is very eager to return back to work, is not the right employee over a five-year employee who may not be as eager to return to work?

Governor Hogan Announces $250 Million ‘Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative
On October 22, 2020 Governor Hogan announced the $250 million ‘Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative,’ which will provide funding from the Rainy Day Fund to directly assist restaurants, small businesses, local entertainment venues, arts organizations, and Main Streets across the state. The initiative doubles the state’s total commitment to COVID-19 emergency economic relief for Marylanders to $500 million.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE

Maryland business groups express access concerns for 2021 assembly session
A coalition of business groups (including MHLA) is concerned about the potential for rule changes that could limit public participation in the 2021 General Assembly Session. Legislative leaders have yet to say what a second pandemic session would look like, but a 10-page letter from an attorney for the General Assembly laid out the potential for one in ...
READ MORE (Maryland Daily Record, subscription required)

MHLA President & CEO receives Proclamation from Gov. Larry Hogan
MHLA’s President and CEO, Amy Rohrer, was the recipient of a surprise proclamation from Governor Larry Hogan for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the Maryland hotel and lodging industry. The proclamation was presented to Rohrer on October 7, 2020 by Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary, Kelly M. Schulz, on behalf of Governor Hogan at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD during MHLA’s Annual Golf Outing.

“It takes a lot of people to be able to overcome some of the hardships,” said Secretary Kelly M. Schulz, “but having leadership like we have with Amy and having her dedication to this cause, I think provides inspiration to all of us moving forward that we are going to be successful again.”
READ MORE

MHLA Golf Outing Highlights
MHLA members and friends came together with tremendous support for MHLA’s Annual Golf Outing on October 7, 2020 at Whiskey Creek. Golf sold out and sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including Ecolab as our Title Sponsor for the 6th year in a row!  As a result we are proud to continue supporting hospitality scholarships with a donation to the Maryland Tourism Education Foundation. Congratulations to all the winners, listed here, and thank you to all sponsors and others who contributed to the success of the event.
​
September 2020 STR Report
Smith Travel Research date for Maryland shows occupancy at 47.6%, ADR down 19.5%, and RevPAR down 44.2% year over year for the month of September.  Go the the Members Area at www.MDLodging.org and click on “Statistics and Research” for the full report. (Log-in required.).

The Maryland Office of Tourism is seeking hotel partners for a new campaign: “Open for the Holidays.”   They will use their media buying resources to determine the best digital platforms and manage all aspects including purchasing, optimization and reallocation.  All digital buys will be directed to www.VisitMaryland.org, where the holiday packages will be a prominent feature on the home page from early November through December. Consumers will click to the deals and the links will take them to your site for purchase.  The cost to participate is FREE!  Submissions are requested by November 3, 2020.

This is the third year of this promotion, which generated 4,180 room nights in 2019 generating nearly $500,000 in revenue.

The Open for the Holidays campaign encourages visitors to enjoy the holidays, then get cozy at a local hotel, where they can sleep in peace and enjoy the morning at their leisure.  And, generate revenue for your property. 

Help is needed from tourism partners, to help populate these holiday deals.  In an effort to make this easier and more flexible for partners, they are transitioning to a different format for collection.  The new “Deals” link will provide you the ability to input your information directly.  You can include a picture, special offers and remove any blackout dates from your offer.  In addition, you may also submit any special events, Holiday dinners and New Year’s parties in the “List Your Event” tab.

The Open for the Holidays section will include offers from lodging, dining, attraction or retail partners.  This may be for special lodging rates, discounted admissions, buy-one-get-ones, special restaurant discounts or the purchase of bonus gift certificates.  We encourage you to offer these specials November-December.  Discounted rates work, but also think about added-value incentives.  

Next Steps:  Please fill out your deal (https://mdyoda.milesmediagroup.com/PublicEditor.aspx).   If this is your first time using this section, you will need to register, using your email address and creating your own unique password.  Submissions are requested by November 3rd, 2020, but later requests may be honored after this date.
​
If you have questions, email [email protected].

MHLA Annual Golf Outing
@ Whiskey Creek Golf Club
October 7, 2020
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful and memorable golf outing this year!

Pictured left to right: Michael Henningsen (Plamondon Hospitality Partners), Blake Nichols (Ecolab), Amy Rohrer (MHLA), Secretary Kelly Schulz (Maryland Department of Commerce) Chip Rogers (American Hotel & Lodging Association).

MHLA members and friends came together with tremendous support for MHLA’s Annual Golf Outing on October 7, 2020 at Whiskey Creek. Golf sold out and sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including Ecolab as our Title Sponsor for the 6th year in a row!  As a result we are proud to continue supporting hospitality scholarships with a donation to the Maryland Tourism Education Foundation.  On behalf of the Association and the 2020 Golf Co-Chairs, Mike Henningsen and Katie Doherty, THANK YOU TO ALL who helped to make the outing a win for MHLA!!!

Some highlights of the day included Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, making opening remarks and joining in as a golfer.  Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz also addressed the crowd and presented Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO with a Proclamation from Governor Hogan recognizing her dedication to the industry.   Route One Apparel donated a Maryland mask to every attendee and Ecolab provided more than 24 hand sanitizing stations throughout the course.  The Law Offices of Frank D. Boston, III sponsored the Helicopter Ball Drop, a perennial favorite at our outing.  Additional sponsors are listed below and we appreciate everyone’s contributions toward a successful event in the midst of an incredibly challenging year for Maryland’s lodging industry.

We cannot say thank you enough to all who supported this event with sponsorship, volunteerism, donations, and of course those who came out to enjoy a beautiful day of golf – all in support of a good cause benefiting Maryland’s hospitality industry!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rohrer recognized for her leadership and dedication to the Maryland hotel and lodging industry

Annapolis, MD (October 08, 2020)--Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA)’s president and CEO, Amy Rohrer, was the recipient of a surprise proclamation from Governor Larry Hogan for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the Maryland hotel and lodging industry. MHLA is the leading advocacy agency for hotels and related industry partners across the state.

“What an honor,” said Rohrer. “It is truly a privilege to serve this industry, and this is a time when advocacy is needed more than ever. Those who are involved with the association are critical to helping us to fulfill our mission, and I’m so grateful for this recognition.”

The proclamation was presented to Rohrer this past Wednesday by Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary, Kelly M. Schulz, on behalf of Governor Hogan at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD during MHLA’s Annual Golf Outing. The proceeds from this event benefit the Maryland Tourism Education Foundation, an organization dedicated to the future of the tourism industry in the state.

“It takes a lot of people to be able to overcome some of the hardships,” said Secretary Kelly M. Schulz, “but having leadership like we have with Amy and having her dedication to this cause, I think provides inspiration to all of us moving forward that we are going to be successful again.”

During this tumultuous time for the hotel and lodging industry across the state, strong leadership is crucial to its recovery and future success—not only for the hotel, lodging, and tourism industries, but for the overall economic well being of the state of Maryland.
“It’s nice that our industry’s dedicated leadership is being recognized by the state for the role it plays in the economic health of the state,” said Peter Plamondon Jr., Co-President, Plamondon Hospitality Partners. “Now more than ever, we need to encourage people to visit Maryland and stay with us, so it’s great that the state recognizes the importance of it.”
​
Media Contact: Wallis Shamieh; [email protected]; 240-578-9909