Inspiration, Insights, and Northwoods Hospitality: Recapping WHLA’s Lodging Innsights Up North

​On May 20, members of the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) gathered at the spectacular Red Crown Lodge in Arbor Vitae for a day packed with invaluable education, peer connection, and top-tier hospitality. Nestled right on the shores of beautiful Trout Lake, the exclusive property offered the perfect backdrop for our community to reconnect, recharge, and dive deep into the trends shaping the future of Wisconsin lodging.

​From professional development to data-driven political outlooks, here is a recap of how the day unfolded.

​Stepping Up: Women in Lodging Lunch

​The day kicked off on an inspiring note with the Women in Lodging Lunch, focused on a core leadership challenge: "Confidence, Influence + Difficult Conversations." Attendees listened to a stellar panel of leaders share real-world strategies for tackling career challenges head-on—from managing team performance and navigating staffing hurdles to handling guest recovery and mastering leadership communication.

• Moderator: Katie Neufeld (The Journeyman Hotel)
• Panelists: 
  • Kathi Kilgore (Ruder Ware)
  • Cindy Lapidakis (Industry Advocate)
  • Erin McDonald (Geronimo Hospitality Group)
  • Angela Steinhauer (Midstate Technical College)

​Lodging Innsights Up North: Deep Dives and Data

​Following lunch, we transitioned into our core educational sessions, tailored specifically to help Wisconsin hoteliers stay ahead of the curve.

1. Tourism Trends in the Northwoods

​Understanding the shifting dynamics of regional travel is crucial for our northern properties. A dynamic panel took the stage to explore the latest tourism trends shaping the Northwoods, breaking down visitor behavior shifts, innovative destination marketing strategies, and ways to maximize revenue during seasonal demand patterns.

• Moderator: Dave Sekeres (Lake Lawn Resort)
• Panelists:
  • Nathan Ochocinski (The Lodge at Manitowish Waters)
  • Mindy Simons (Hayward Lakes CVB)
  • Krystal Westfahl (Greater Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau)
  • Amanda Wilson (Deerfoot Lodge & Resort)

2. Innsights Roundtables

Next, it was time for our attendees to get hands-on. The Innsights Roundtables provided an interactive space for collaborative problem-solving. Members rotated through facilitated discussions to swap ideas on the industry’s biggest operational pain points and opportunities:
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• Workforce challenges and creative recruiting solutions.
• The evolution of technology and practical uses for AI in lodging.
• Streamlining operational efficiency to boost the bottom line.

The session wrapped up with a collective share-out of key takeaways, giving everyone a notebook full of actionable strategies to bring back to their own properties.

3. Wisconsin Votes: 2026 Midterms

As we look toward the fall, the political climate remains top of mind for business owners. We were honored to host renowned polling expert Charles Franklin of the Marquette Law School Poll for a crucial briefing on the 2026 mid-term landscape in Wisconsin.

Franklin delivered data-driven perspectives on:

• Current voter sentiment across the state.
• Expected voter turnout trends.
• The shifting political climate heading into this critical election cycle.

Unwinding on Trout Lake: Reception + Dinner

​After a full afternoon of heavy-hitting education, attendees were treated to the legendary hospitality of the Red Crown Lodge team. We capped off the evening with a phenomenal reception and dinner, giving members the perfect chance to network, debrief on the day’s insights, and watch the sunset over the lake.
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Thank you to our incredible hosts at Red Crown Lodge, our brilliant speakers, and all the dedicated members who made the trek up north.