by John J Hogan, CHA CMHS CHE CHO
And while the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.
Andrew Carnegie
Several months ago in posting a discussion in some of my LinkedIn groups, I shared a resource on some conferences small business owners should consider attending [1] , as recommended by Inc. Magazine. The article discussed how operating a small business can be isolating at times, with owners often feeling like they go through their own, particular set of struggles and hotel owners certainly face those entrepreneurial issues. We all recognize the value of online networking and social media, yet we in hospitality understand there is no better way to communicate than in a face-to-face connection.
These recommended conferences covered B2B events, various small business expos, programs on networking, marketing techniques electronic media, embracing positive thinking, technology launches, female business owner programs and more. While I did not find the time to attend one in 2014, I am planning on at least one new conference in 2015. I am also planning on returning for a 5th time to one that is now being billed as ” It’s not just for Lawyers”
The Hospitality Law Conference, now in its 15th year in Houston from February 9-11, is a great way to find out before the rest of the pack what legal issues are likely to be facing hoteliers in the coming 12-24 months. The group is small (usually under 400 attendees) and is a high-quality blend of hospitality and hotel lawyers, food service and hotel brand representatives, hotel owners, insurance and risk management professionals and a number of supporting businesses.
The conference is a series of short programs, which is appealing to most of us. There are some general sessions of universal interest, some topical round tables to choose from and three industry tracks. There is a pre-conference for Hospitality Counsel and an Owners Management Summit on the 9th that deals with much more focus on owner issues than do most of the brand and association conventions that must deal with management issues. There will be a new section this year titled Hospitality Forums, which will follow the popular TED talks format. Subject-matter experts will deliver nine-minute cogent presentations on the most pressing challenges that confront hotel/restaurant owners and operators, developers, and attorneys involved in hospitality.
There are three industry topical tracks:
1. Food & Beverage: Produced and presented in coordination with the National Restaurant Association, this track focuses on
a. food illness and other food safety claims.
b. liability challenges when serving beverages containing alcohol.
c. premises liability claims, and
d. the essential financial aspects of restaurants.
2. Lodging will address
a. Premises liability claims
b. understanding and best practices for negotiating distribution agreements, and
c. child supervision challenges
3. Human Resources & Labor Relations will address
a. Best practices for resolving all types of employment litigation
b. the future of collective bargaining
c. the scope of Employment Practices Liability Insurance
d. How to Handle Tattoos, Haircuts and Head Coverings
Do we as hotel owners, hoteliers and restaurateurs all face the same problems? That is highly unlikely, yet we do face many similar issues. Smaller, non-branded conferences offer the opportunity to hear different messages and to network with different types of attendees.
I am looking forward to the new elements of this year’s session and I hope to connect with many of you there in person as well.
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[1] http://www.inc.com/john-boitnott/14-conferences-every-small-business-owner-should-attend.html
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All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management. This article may not be reproduced without the expressed permission of the author. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.
