The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) is seeking an event host for a new 2027 event - WHLA Tech Day. 

This dynamic, one-day event is designed to bring together up to 75 industry professionals for a deep dive into the latest hospitality technology through educational sessions, networking, and supplier tabletop displays.

We are seeking a host property that can provide a seamless, tech-forward experience. Key requirements for potential host sites include:

• Location: Must be in the Green Bay, WI area with convenient access and parking.
• Capacity: Space to host plenary educational sessions and a dedicated area for up to 20 tabletop displays.
• Technology: Robust, high-density Wi-Fi capable of supporting 75 attendees with multiple devices simultaneously is mandatory.
• Accommodations: A courtesy block of 10–15 sleeping rooms for the night prior to the event.
• Preferences: We are prioritizing proposals that offer complimentary (or deeply discounted) meeting space, AV, no advance deposit, and no F&B minimum.
• Date Options:  March 2027: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, or 11. 

Interested in showcasing your property to our tech-focused audience? Please review the event RFP and submit your proposal no later than September 4, 2026.
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Proposals will be reviewed by WHLA staff in consultation with the WHLA Board Chair, with a contract targeted for signing by October 30, 2026. 

​While trends provide inspiration, effective hotel design relies on applying color theory with intention. Each color family evokes emotional and psychological responses that can enhance specific spaces and experiences within a hotel.

Reds & Purples: Motivation and Sophistication

• Rich reds and refined purples introduce warmth, drama, and creative energy.
• Deeper, muted variations add elegance without overpowering.
• These hues are ideal for social spaces such as cocktail lounges, lobby bars, or select accent walls where energy and connection are encouraged.

Yellows & Greens: Renewal and Balance

• Greens, especially mossy, olive, and sage tones, are central to organic luxury, drawing directly from biophilic design principles.
• Yellow-green combinations bring optimism and clarity while maintaining a natural feel.
• These colors are well suited for wellness spaces, dining areas, and meeting rooms where focus, comfort, and restoration are key.

Blues: Calm and Trust

• Blue remains a cornerstone of hospitality design due to its calming and reassuring nature.
• Softer blues create serenity in guest rooms and spas, while deeper teals introduce richness and refinement without sacrificing tranquility.
• When paired with warm woods or metallic accents, blues help balance comfort with luxury.

Browns: Grounding and Warmth

• Earthy browns anchor a space, making it feel stable, inviting, and secure.
• Espresso, clay, and umber tones work particularly well in lobbies, seating areas, and millwork applications, reinforcing the organic luxury aesthetic through depth and material richness.

Neutrals: Timeless and Adaptable

• Warm neutrals continue to be the foundation of hospitality interiors, offering flexibility and longevity.
• In 2026, neutrals are shifting away from cool grays toward creamy whites, soft tans, and layered beiges that enhance natural light and pair effortlessly with organic textures.
• These shades provide a versatile backdrop that allows branding, artwork, and furnishings to stand out.

We’re leveling up the live auction for the 2026 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show!

The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) is thrilled to announce a high-energy addition to our marquee event of the year: Bill Jartz, legendary Wisconsin broadcaster and the iconic public address voice of the Green Bay Packers, will serve as our official Live Auctioneer for the 2026 WHLA Awards Dinner & Live Auction!

For the first time in WHLA history, we are bringing in a dedicated live auctioneer to elevate our premier evening event!  We are thrilled to announce that legendary broadcaster and official PA voice of Lambeau Field, Bill Jartz, will take the stage on Monday, November 2, as our official Live Auctioneer and MC. 

WHLA's Vice President, Monica Goeke, CAE, said, "Bill’s booming laugh, electric stadium presence, and tireless commitment to public service make him a Wisconsin icon. We can't wait for him to bring that signature energy to the WHLA stage!"

Please join us on Monday, November 2, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center -  Wisconsin Dells for an incredible evening honoring industry excellence and raising vital funds for our WHLA initiatives.

Program Schedule

• 7:00 PM – Guest Seating & Dinner Service: Sit down for dinner and connect with peers from across Wisconsin's lodging and tourism industry.
• 7:45 PM – WHLA Awards Presentation: Celebrating excellence and honoring leaders across five prestigious industry categories
• 8:15 PM – Live Auction with Bill Jartz: Get your paddles ready as the 'Voice of Lambeau Field' takes the mic to auction off our marquee packages! 
• 9:00 PM – Program Concludes  

With three tracks of specialized education, an 80+ vendor Trade Show, and an unforgettable Awards Dinner hosted by one of Wisconsin's most iconic voices, this is the one industry event you cannot afford to miss.
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It's time to Check In. Level Up. at the 2026 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show!

Wisconsin State Fair season has arrived, and WHLA will be right in the middle of the Opening Day action tomorrow, Thursday, August 6.

​From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, association staff will be stationed inside the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the Travel Wisconsin booth, putting WHLA member properties front and center for thousands of in-state and visiting travelers.

During the day, WHLA team members will distribute complimentary physical copies of the 2026 Wisconsin Lodging Directory.

​As fairgoers start planning their late-summer staycations, fall color trips, and winter getaways, this publication serves as a trusted resource—directly connecting potential guests with WHLA member hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfasts across the state.

To create a fun, memorable connection with fairgoers of all ages, WHLA is featuring a brand-new interactive coloring page at the booth.

This year's coloring sheet highlights the 2026 Cover Contest winner, showcasing the scenic lakeside shot of Lake Lawn Resort featured on the front cover of every 2026 Lodging Directory. Fairgoers can pick up a printout at the booth to color their very own version of the directory cover, celebrating one of Wisconsin's premier member properties while inspiring creative travel conversations.

​WHLA’s presence alongside Travel Wisconsin reinforces our shared mission to drive statewide tourism and highlight the critical economic impact of the lodging sector. Tourism serves as a vital financial engine for local communities across Wisconsin, and WHLA works year-round to support member properties through targeted marketing, industry education, and active advocacy.

Participating in high-profile events like State Fair Opening Day provides a powerful platform to keep WHLA member accommodations front-of-mind for thousands of consumers while celebrating the dedicated professionals who welcome guests to our state every day.

The Osthoff Resort & Spa proudly recognizes and thanks the Elkhart Lake First Responders for providing CPR and AED training to 75 resort employees, reinforcing a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of guests, visitors, and the community.

​While The Osthoff Resort & Spa is known for its lakeside setting, award-winning accommodations, and exceptional guest experiences, creating a safe and secure environment remains a foundational part of the resort's hospitality mission.

​The training was led by Lisa Holzmann, a member of the Elkhart Lake First Responders Unit, who has worked with resort staff for several years to provide life-saving education and certification opportunities. The resort is also proud to have team members who serve their communities as first responders, including Brad Woelfel, a member of the New Holstein Fire Department, and Emma Feldmann, who serves with the Elkhart Lake First Responders & Fire Department. Their dedication to helping others both on and off the property exemplifies the spirit of care and preparedness that defines the resort and the broader Elkhart Lake community.

"CPR and AED training gives participants the knowledge and confidence to act quickly in an emergency, and those first few moments can make all the difference," said Lisa Holzmann, Elkhart Lake First Responders. "We appreciate The Osthoff Resort & Spa's commitment to ongoing training and preparedness. By investing in these skills, their team is helping create a safer environment for guests, employees, and the broader community."

"Lisa has been instrumental in helping our team maintain these important skills," said Jackie Campbell, Assistant Director of Rooms and Security at The Osthoff Resort & Spa. "Given the wide variety of guests we serve—from families and leisure travelers to meeting attendees and wellness guests—being prepared to respond in an emergency is an important responsibility. We value our longstanding partnership with the Elkhart Lake First Responders and appreciate their continued commitment to our community."

As one of Wisconsin's premier resort destinations, The Osthoff Resort & Spa is honored to be part of a community that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of residents and visitors alike. Through partnerships like this, the resort remains committed to providing an exceptional guest experience while fostering a culture of preparedness and care.

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For more information about The Osthoff Resort & Spa or to plan a visit, please visit www.osthoff.com.

By Josh Leiker, RezStream

​The competitive landscape is evolving faster than you can say "Fish Fry Friday."

Independent properties across Wisconsin aren’t just competing with nearby hotels. They’re competing with short-term rentals, regional destinations, and larger brands using advanced pricing tools, many of which adjust pricing daily based on demand signals.

At the same time, staffing challenges mean there’s less time to manually monitor and adjust pricing.

That’s why more operators are looking for ways to:

• Save time
  
• Reduce guesswork
  
• Capture more revenue during high-demand periods
  

Few careers begin with a carefully crafted plan. More often, they begin with a simple decision to say "yes."

For Tory Trettin, now Sales Manager at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, hospitality wasn't always the path she expected to take. She arrived in the industry while attending UW–Milwaukee, changing majors, navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, and simply looking for a job. 

​​"I entered that first hotel in 2021 just kind of looking for a job," Tory recalled. "I gave it a try... and I immediately fell in love with it."

The new colleagues around her began to take notice, and that unexpected first step eventually led Tory to become the 2021 Greater Milwaukee Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Scholarship recipient, an opportunity she says changed far more than just one semester of college.

"It completely changed my life, to be honest with you."

During our conversation overlooking downtown Milwaukee from the Hyatt Regency, Tory reflected on how the scholarship eased the financial burden of school while giving her the freedom to focus on building a career in an industry she had grown to love.

"The scholarship covered my tuition for a whole semester," she said. "What I was able to do was buy my first car instead of worrying about saving every dollar for school."

But perhaps the most meaningful takeaway from Tory's story is that tomorrow's hospitality leaders don't all arrive by the same path.

Some begin in culinary programs.

Some discover hospitality through travel.

Some never expected to work in a hotel at all.

And some, like Tory, simply walk through the doors of a hotel looking for a job. 

What they often share is curiosity, a willingness to serve others, and most importantly, someone who recognizes their potential along the way.

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, investing in students and young professionals remains one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen its future. Scholarships don't simply help students afford an education; they create opportunities for talented individuals to discover careers that may have otherwise remained out of reach.

Looking back today, Tory doesn't hesitate when asked what she would tell students considering applying for the GMHLA Scholarship.

"Absolutely go for it. I can look back and honestly say it changed the trajectory of my career."

Her journey is a reminder that the next generation of hospitality leaders can come from anywhere, and that sometimes all it takes is one opportunity to change the course of a career.

Watch our full conversation with Tory Trettin as she reflects on the GMHLA scholarship that helped shape her career, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why she believes the future of hospitality begins with investing in its next generation of leaders. 

​Once you know where to look, the next step is knowing what to build. Properties that consistently earn loyalty from both their staff and their guests tend to share a few common practices.

• They recognize people regularly. A shout-out in a staff meeting, a handwritten note, a gift card for going above and beyond. Small recognitions build morale and employees who feel seen stay longer.
  
• They invest in growth. When employees can see a path forward, such as cross-training, mentorship, promotion tracks, they’re more likely to grow with the property instead of leaving for the next opportunity.
  
• They communicate openly. Regular check-ins, transparent conversations about performance and expectations, and an actual open-door policy all signal that leadership sees employees as valuable to the success of the business.
  
• They sweat the operational details. When staff have what they need: the right supplies, fresh linens on the cart, clean uniforms, reliable systems, they can focus on guests instead of workarounds. Friction in operations creates friction in service.
  

Gunderson Uniform & Linen
https://gundersonfamilycompanies.com/