In 2021, the Maryland Office of Tourism’s Open For The Holidays (OFTH) Campaign provided an $8 to $1 return-on-investment by marketing overnight stays provided by participating accommodations listed in their database.
 
In 2022, the campaign is being expanded to include all businesses and events interested in increasing consumer awareness of loyalty programs, deals, discounts, specials, etc. offered during the holiday season. The offerings can relate to accommodations, attractions, dining, event tickets, shopping and more. The campaign will run from 11/14/22 through 12/18/22 and will target the state’s overnight travel markets. 
 
Hotels wishing to maximize their opportunity during the OFTH campaign should follow these two steps:
 
1. Add your business listing and event information to the VisitMaryland.org database. If you already have information in the database, review it to ensure it is up-to-date. Please allow 48 hours for the information to sync. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Brandon Chan or Flo Brant.
 
2. Add your promotions through the Deals and Discounts portal. Offers may include lodging, dining, attractions, etc. To make your promotion standout, the Maryland Office of Tourism encourages you to offer seasonal specials instead of a generic one such as added-value incentives, add-ons such as Holiday Light Displays, holiday-themed attractions, or nearby shopping coupon offers. All promotions must be tourism-related.
 
For more ways to work with the Maryland Office of Tourism year-round, download this checklist.  

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​Annapolis, MD – A new law went into effect on October 1, 2022, requiring all innkeepers in Maryland provide annual human trafficking prevention training to employees. Hotel operators across the state must now provide employees with annual training that has been certified and approved as meeting the requirements defined by the state. Training must be conducted annually, and within the first 90 days for newly hired employees.

Since 2019, the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) has partnered with the Seattle-based nonprofit, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to provide human trafficking awareness training for MHLA’s members and their staff, free of charge. BEST provides expertise in human trafficking prevention, and BEST’s Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training, sponsored by AAHOA, is an online, video-based training developed specifically for the hotel industry that has received approval in Maryland to meet the new law’s annual requirement for innkeepers.

“BEST is pleased that our training meets all of the requirements in Maryland to help hotels in providing employees with training on the prevention, identification, and reporting of human trafficking,” said Mar Brettmann, CEO and Executive Director for BEST. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association and to support their members in meeting this annual training requirement.” Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training is a 30-minute, online, video-based training that can be taken individually or in a group setting. The training is available in English or Spanish, and it has been proven to increase hotel employee reporting. In 2019 researchers from Arizona State University evaluated the training and found that 97 percent of hotel employees who took the training said it will help prevent sex trafficking incidents. Ninety-six percent of employees reported taking at least one recommended step to prevent trafficking at their hotel.

Human trafficking networks often rely on legitimate businesses, such as hotels, to sustain their operations and infrastructure. But when hotel employees are properly trained in what to look for, human trafficking can be identified and safely reported to help keep all guests safe and permitting victims to be connected with the services they need.

Maryland joins nine other states that have already implemented laws regarding human trafficking prevention training for employees in the lodging industry: California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Florida, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, and Illinois. In 2023, Virginia and New York also plan to begin requiring lodging facilities to provide human trafficking prevention training for employees.

MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer stated, “The lodging industry has long united around the ‘No Room for Trafficking’ campaign designed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and their foundation. We commend the Maryland General Assembly for passing legislation addressing this horrific crime at hotels while also recognizing the industry’s existing efforts to utilize human trafficking awareness training and other techniques to identify, report and stop human trafficking. This illegal activity will not be tolerated in Maryland hotels, and we are proud to continue supporting our members in their efforts to stop it.”

About Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST)
Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with the mission to educate employers to prevent human trafficking and create pathways to employment for survivors. BEST is the first organization in the country dedicated entirely to working with employers to disrupt human trafficking. BEST has provided consultation and training to hundreds of employers on how to prevent human trafficking. For more information visit www.bestalliance.org.

About Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA)
The Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) is a trade-based membership organization representing Maryland’s $8 Billion lodging industry with more than 80,000 rooms in 700+ hotels across the state. MHLA provides advocacy, information, recognition, and networking opportunities that benefit lodging industry owners, managers, associates, related businesses, and communities in Maryland. To learn more, please visit www.mdlodging.org.

Yesterday the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs released a new analysis that shows U.S. hotel leisure travel revenue is projected to end 2022 14% above 2019 levels, while hotel business travel revenue is expected to come within 1% of 2019 levels.

The study notes that “projections are not adjusted for inflation, and real hotel revenue recovery will likely take several more years.”

MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer stated, “Hotel recovery across the country and within Maryland remains uneven, particularly in urban markets dependent on business travel.  Baltimore and the Washington, DC area continue to lag in recovery compared to most of the top 50 U.S. markets.

• Baltimore is projected to be down 20.5% in business travel revenue ($89.2M+ loss) in 2022 vs 2019.  Leisure travel is projected to be up 3.6% ($13.5M+ gain).
  
  
• Washington, DC area, which includes Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, is projected to be down 28.2% in business travel revenue ($713.3M+ loss) and down 1.7% in leisure (nearly $30.8M loss).
  
  

This report highlights the need for policies that will assist hotels in recovery and encourage the full return of meetings and conventions to our state. This is top of mind as MHLA’s advocacy team is preparing for a major shift in Maryland’s political landscape with election day fast approaching on November 8.”

HB270 /SB91 was enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution on May 29, 2022.  A compliance alert has been shared with lodging members via email and is also posted in the MEMBERS PORTAL under  "Compliance & Operational Resources".

Members may contact MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer with any questions.

​On Monday, September 19, 2022, members and friends came together for MHLA's Annual Golf Outing at the Whiskey Creek Golf Course in Frederick, MD. Tremendous support was shown, with golf nearing a sell out crowd and sponsorship at a very high level, again this year.  Ecolab was the Title Sponsor for the 8th year in a row and Live! Casino & Hotel show great support again, as the Presenting Sponsor.

$5,000 to be donated to MTEF!
​
​The success of the 2022 MHLA Golf Outing enables us to give back to the industry.  MHLA is proud to announce that a $5,000 donation will be given this year to the Maryland Tourism Education Foundation in support of hospitality scholarships. With this donation, more than $24,000 in MHLA golf proceeds has been donated to the foundation in the past three years. Grace Schuler joined the event as one of the 2022 scholarship recipients, and MHLA looks forward to helping Grace and others to further their careers in hospitality.

Congratulations to our 2022 MHLA Golf Outing WINNERS!

1st Place Team
Parking Management Company
5B - SCORE OF 56 (Eagle #4)             
SCOTT GOINS      BILLY CEASE     CHRIS MURREN   TIM TROUTNER

2nd Place Team 
Pinnacle Communications
18A - SCORE OF 56    
DAVE DOROUGH   ANDREW HOPKINS     ROSS CRAMPTON   DAVE LUIZZI
​
3rd Place Team 
Parking Management Company
9B - SCORE OF 58 (Eagle #18)   
DARYL STRAYER    ALEX THOMPSON    RON LOMAN   

Longest Drive - Women
LINDA MOSS- First Energy

Longest Drive - Men
BILLY CEASE- Parking Management Company

Closest to the Pin
GEOFF LINDSAY 6'5"- Clearview Group LLC

Straightest Drive
KEEGAN SCHIMMELMAN- Westin Annapolis

Helicopter Ball Drop
HAL HOCKING – BMS Cat

Putting Contest
BILLY CEASE 3'6"- Parking Management Company

Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors and sponsors listed below.  The success of the outing would not be possible without all of them.

Thank you to our GOLF COMMITTEE!
CHAIR - Michael Henningsen, Plamondon Hospitality Partners  
Rodney Gooden, Westin Annapolis                
Theresa Keysar, Valcourt Building Services                
Pete Mangione, Turf Valley Resort                
Chris Rapp, Triple Crown Construction                
Jim Stark, Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills                
.
Thank you to our VOLUNTEERS!
Sharon Bear, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Jim Berrigan, Ruppert Landscape, Inc.
Regina Boston, RMB Photography
Evelin Castro, Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills
Pete Chambliss, MHLA Volunteer Staff
Diane Girgenti, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Emily Gutierrez, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Howard Joseph, Heartland Payment Systems
Kathy Konopik, HotelPro.
Ariana Rizzo, Ruppert Landscape, Inc.
Patty Pescrille, Ruppert Landscape, Inc.
Sheri Stall, Ruppert Landscape, Inc

Thank you to all who DONATED!
Click here to see the list of companies who donated prizes and giveaways.

We are pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association Board of Directors.

• Ian Harvey, Residence Inn Baltimore at The Johns Hopkins Medical Center;
• Sandip Patel, Crossroads Hospitality; and
• Padou Kabchi, MGM National Harbor.
  
  

All three were elected at the Association's August 16, 2022 board meeting to fill mid-term vacancies. Each brings with them a unique perspective and a breadth of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry that will benefit all of our members.

Thank you to the following departing board members Bob Haislip, Jason Curtis, and Barbara Reed for their years of service on the MHLA Board of Directors. Their contributions and efforts have been much appreciated.

Click here to view the full MHLA Board of Directors.

Today the GSA announced FY2023 per diem rates which take effect October 1, 2022.  All rates are available at the GSA website.

The chart below shows what the new lodging per diem rates mean for Maryland hotels beginning October 2022 - September 2023.

​MHLA has launched a new program that will get you the cash you need to continue to recover from the pandemic and return to full strength.
​
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a federal COVID tax incentive that can help your business. You may qualify for up to $26,000 per employee in ERC funds, retroactive to 2020.
​
The ERC filing process, however, is complex and time-consuming. Many business owners lack the expertise to file, and many CPAs are unfamiliar with its eligibility requirements.
 
Our Easy ERCTM will help you claim this free money
The MHLA has partnered with Adesso Capital to help our members file for their ERC funds. The Adesso team has helped lodging operators across the U.S. claim an average of $125,000 in ERC funds per filing. Adesso’s tax experts can quickly estimate the amount of ERC funds for which you may be eligible.
 
Visit the MHLA’s ERC Support Center to get started
Once you know how much ERC money you can expect, the Adesso team will file for you with the IRS. And Adesso will monitor the progress of your filing until you receive your ERC funds.
 
Adesso handles the ERC paperwork, you cash the ERC check
Our Easy ERC program serves up what your hotel or lodging establishment needs to continue to work your way back to business as usual.

Visit the MHLA’s ERC Support Center now to take advantage of this program and get the cash you need to keep your recovery moving forward.

Source: Montgomery County Business Portal

This Hotel Grant Relief Program provides financial assistance to hotels and other lodging entities located in Montgomery County, MD.

Hotels and other lodging entities have been extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and will have a long recovery. Montgomery County announced this relief program to continue stabilization efforts of the local hospitality industry in the County.

Grant awardees will receive $500 per sleeping room under this program.

Any hotel with ten or more sleeping rooms, or a Bed and Breakfast with five or more rooms,  located in Montgomery County, are encouraged to apply.   

Applications will be accepted from July 1 through July 22, 2022. 

Prepare to apply

1. Review the Eligibility Requirements for the program.
2. Be sure to use the correct, exact legal name of the hotel owner on your application.
3. Check the taxpayer identification number and be sure it matches the legal name of the owner. 
4. Ensure that you are primarily engaged in business activities that would be covered through NAICS Code 721110 (Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels) or Code 721191 (Bed-and-Breakfast Inns).
5. Ensure you are in “Good Standing” with the State of Maryland at the time of application.

Follow these steps to determine whether your business is in “Good Standing”:

1. Go to Maryland Business Express
2. In the "Business Quick Links" section, select "Business Entity Search".
3. Enter your exact legal business name and select "Search".
4. Your business will be listed if you are registered.
5. Select your business and check under the General Information tab to verify that your business is in Good Standing. It is not necessary to order a copy of your certificate of good standing.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be primarily engaged in activities that, in accordance with the North American Industrial Classification System, would be included in Code 721110 (Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels) or Code 721191 (Bed-and-Breakfast Inns).
2. The applicant (hotel owner) must be a Maryland based entity subject to Maryland sales and use tax, and the Montgomery County Hotel/Motel tax.
3. If a part of a franchise with multiple locations of businesses, are owned by a Maryland franchisee.
4. Be in Good Standing with the State of Maryland.
5. Demonstrate a loss of revenue of 25% or more from September 2021 through January 2022 compared to September 2019 through January 2020.  Eligible applicants must be open to the public for provision of accommodations by March 31, 2021.

Allowable Use of Hotel Grant Relief Funds
Grantees are allowed to use funds for:

• Normal operating costs, such as rent, payroll, job training, taxes, debt service, or similar costs.
• Purchase of PPE, sanitization services, or other COVID-19 related costs.

Required Documentation
The following documents will be required at the time of application:

1. Signed, completed application form
2. Annual Profit & Loss Statements, by MONTH for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (through 3/31/2022)

Application Review Process
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the criteria listed above.  
Applications will be accepted July 1, 2022 through July 22, 2022.
Hotel Relief Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions, please email info@visitmontgomery.com

The Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Program and Trust, designed to create a mandate for certain private-sector employers in the state to establish a retirement savings plan for eligible employees, was passed in May 2016 and took effect July 1, 2016.  The program will launch in early September 2022.

As stated in the bill's fiscal note, "Covered employers” are nongovernmental for-profit and nonprofit employers in the State that (1) pay employees through a payroll system or service; (2) have been in business for at least the last two years; and (3) do not currently offer, or have not offered in the previous two years, an employer-offered savings arrangement. Employers may elect to establish alternative savings arrangements for their employees rather than participate in the program; participation in the program does not create a fiduciary obligation of the employers who do so. Specifically, employers are not liable for an employee’s decision to participate or to opt out of the program or for their investment decisions, and they are not responsible for program design, administration, investment, or performance.

Employers may visit www.MarylandSaves.org for more information on the program.  Click here to sign up for updates from Maryland's Retirement and Savings Program.