Hospitality Industry Met on February 12

Lake Almanor Hospitality Meeting
February 12, 2020
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce Offices
 
Present:
Filip & Eva Laboda, Bidwell House and Red Onion Grill
Heather & Christi Chase, Cravings Café
Sharon Roberts, Saint Bernard Lodge
Katherine Templeton, Cedar Lodge
Liz Elliott, Lassen Meadows Ranch
Stacey Anderson, Tantardinos
Antonio Mejia & Sonja Anderson, Almanor West Community & Grill
Steve Graffweg, Burger Depot,
Jillian Hower & Joseph Van Meter, Lassen Mill Creek Resort
Tim Kuss, Highlands Ranch Inn
Todd Geer, Plumas Pines Resort
Carol Franchetti, Carols Café
Ken Wilson, Wilson’s Camp Prattville
Terri Hiser-Haynes, Alliance for Workforce Development
Berton Bertagna et al, Timber Lodge
Susan Bryner, Chamber President & Coldwell Banker Property Management
 
Summary
 
This first meeting of the Hospitality sector was called to discuss challenges and needs of the lodging and restaurant businesses of the Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding areas. Introductions were made as well as a brief description of resources available through the Chamber of Commerce as well as upcoming projects and programs of benefit or interest to the industry. 
 
Christi Chase volunteered to create a communication platform via Facebook and Chamber Project programs to foster communication and collective bargaining efforts between industry members.  Susan Bryner volunteered to liaison with County Government officials regarding regulations and codes that affect the industry.  Terri Hiser-Haynes discussed resources available for skills training of potential employees and reconsideration of job fair efforts in the area.  Katherine Templeton volunteered to be part of a citizen advisory council for upcoming Cal Trans efforts on Main Hwy 36/Main St.
 
Following is a list from the discussion of community and industry challenges along with potential solutions.
 
Industry Challenges Discussed
 

• Internet access and reliability
• Poor labor pool
• Drug issues in labor pool
• Seasonal population and visitor demand
• Difficulty keeping seasonal employees
• Training of unskilled labor
• Minimum wage hikes
• Rising cost of services
• Lake of child care for those who would work
• Need for events, activities and marketing to bring visitors during shoulder seasons
• Need for housing for seasonal workers
• Air Bnb and VRBO opportunities eating up existing housing inventory for workers
• Lack of transportation for restaurant patrons (taxis, Uber), discourages travel to restaurants with wine and cocktail services.

 
Brainstorming
 

• Collective bargaining for services and products. Platform being created to begin effort.
• Child Care Co-op
• Trade or Skills Courses at High School that yield certificates
• Business licenses for lodging providers at a level that discourages AirBnB use of housing inventory
• Reintroduction of Job Fairs with enhanced outreach
• Investigating labor opportunities through social service agencies and probation department
• Support the creation of off-season events and activities that are not snow dependent – ideas:
  • Restaurant Week
  • Ice Skating
  • Polar Plunge
  • Christmas Village
  • Oktoberfest
  • Cook-offs
  • Fall Fly-In
• Support and advocate for town beautification and clean-up
• Transportation - Investigate regulations for independent taxi operations and rental car services for airport

 
Chamber Resources
 
Event Calendar. www.lakealmanorarea.com/events.  Efforts are being made to make this calendar a comprehensive resource for all activities in the Basin and surrounding areas.  Anyone can submit an event or activity for their business.  See SUBMIT at the bottom of the page.
 
Visitors Information. The Chamber hosts a Visitors Center at the Stover Landing Building, 278 Main St.  Lodging and restaurant brochures or event flyers that are dropped off inside the Bookstore, will be displayed.
 
Web Information.  There are two websites with visitor information about our area that include lodging and dining.  www.LakeAlmanorArea.com and www.PlumasCounty.org .  These are currently being maintained by one staff person and volunteer efforts.  Please take a look at your information on these sites.  If changes are needed, contact the Chamber 530-258-2426, info@lakealmanorarea.com , indicate changes needed on either or both sites.
 
Chamber Membership. A $200 Membership with the Chamber funds Chamber services, Visitors Center, website, calendar, Monthly Newsletter, community event organization and execution, marketing, industry communication, economic development efforts and government advocacy.  If you would like to become part of the Chamber membership please reach out to us. 
 
Current Community and Economic Development Projects
 

• Town Plaza.  See details at www.OurTownPlaza.org
• Recreation and Trails Projects.  See details at www.yourARPD.org
• Feather River Tourism Association and Tourism Investment District to develop tourism marketing programs and infrastructure. See details at www.FeatherRiverTourism.com
• Cal Trans/Transportation programs. Updates will be contained in monthly newsletters and at Chamber business meetings that occur on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month at 8:30, 278 Main Street.
• Environmental projects with economic development programs. https://sierrainstitute.us/