Industry Insight: Spring 2024
Valued WHTC Members,
Happy Spring! We hope that this finds you well and your business thriving and getting ready for a busy summer season. Thank you very much to those of you who attended and sponsored the 2024 Wyoming Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Convention in February. It was our largest attendance yet and it felt so good to see everyone and to network with industry professionals from all corners of the state. As the dust settles from a busy 2024 Legislative Budget Session, we have several important updates for you, below. We exist to help your business succeed and work towards our mission of protecting and promoting our industry daily. As always, if you have any questions or challenges we can help you with, please contact WHTC Executive Director Chris Brown at chris@wyohtc.org.
L-R U.S Senator John Barrasso, U.S. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, WHTC Executive Director Chris Brown, Discover Carbon County CEO Leslie Jefferson, Visit Cheyenne CEO Domenic Bravo, National Restaurant Association State Affairs Mgr. Ninia Linero and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis
Legislative Update
Your association was in our Nation’s Capital this month, advocating for issues that impact your bottom line. Members from the WHTC spoke with U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso as well as U.S. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. The WHTC advocated for lower credit card swipe fees by supporting The Credit Card Competition Act, we supported maintaining the Tip Credit for tipped employees and we pushed for tax relief for Wyoming business owners by offering support for the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. Understanding that the foreign travel market in Wyoming has not fully rebounded in Wyoming, we also spoke with our delegation about lowering Visa wait times in key markets across the world. Our meetings were productive and we appreciate WHTC members Dominic Bravo, President/CEO from Visit Cheyenne as well as Leslie Jefferson, CEO from Discover Carbon County joining us in D.C. for these important discussions.
From a statewide perspective, the period between legislative sessions, known as “the interim” is underway. While no immediate threats to our industry are being discussed this interim, we are engaged with all relevant committees, and we remain laser-focused on the critical importance of Wyoming’s primary election on August 20, 2024.
Department of Labor Overtime Rule
Over the past months, the WHTC has partnered with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association to push back on new rules being considered at the federal level regarding overtime. Despite our efforts, the U.S Dept. of Labor issued a final rule, updating overtime regulations that threaten Wyoming’s hospitality and tourism small businesses across the state. We are extremely disappointed in the DOL’s disregard for Wyoming’s many restaurants and lodging properties and will continue to partner with our national organizations to find solutions that promote healthy business growth instead of heavy-handed rules and regulations that harm our industry.
News + Notes
Electronic Billing
The Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition has transitioned to an electronic billing system. Members will no longer receive a paper invoice in the mail and will instead receive them via email. Please keep an eye out for your annual dues invoice and please reach out to Christi Anderson at christi@wyohtc.org if you are having any issues or would prefer a paper invoice.
Announcing the 2024 Fall Summit
We are extremely excited to announce the 2024 Fall Hospitality and Tourism Summit will be held in Laramie, WY on October 16-17, 2024 at the Holiday Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn! Thank you very much to all of the communities that responded to the RFP. Please watch in the coming weeks for more details.
Upcoming Events
WHTC Golf Classic
Friday, September 20, 2024 | Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club, Jackson
Fall Hospitality and Tourism Summit
October 16-17, 2024 | Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Laramie
Warm Regards,
Chris Brown
Executive Director
chris@wyohtc.org