WHLA launches new Quarterly Lodging Innsights event series in Beloit

​WHLA’s new live event series - Quarterly Lodging Innsights - kicked off on January 25 at the Ironworks Hotel - Beloit! Over fifty WHLA members, prospective members, and industry supporters gathered for industry focused education and professional networking. 

​WHLA Board Chair Jon Jossart (Ambassador Hotel - Milwaukee) welcomed attendees to the event, sharing information about the formation of this new event series. “WHLA recently went through a strategic planning process, and we found one area where we could make a real difference is by giving the lodging industry more opportunities to connect and engage throughout the state,” Jossart said. He continued, “So these regional events were born, bringing together our Board of Directors with our local members and friends.”

The event began at 1 pm, and featured four timely educational sessions addressing topics of key concerns for Wisconsin lodging owners and operators. 

Working Across Generations: We Prepared for the Millennials….Now What? 

​Carmen Smalley, CMP, CHE, Instructor and Lead Faculty of the Hospitality and Events Management program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College shared information Generation Z and the Alpha Generation, comparisons of the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation X, and ideas on how different generations can work together successfully. 

Back to Basics: Revenue Management.

WHLA associate member IDeaS sponsored and facilitated an interactive roundtable discussion featuring the key pillars of revenue management. Led by IDeaS’ Anthony Rose, CRME. WHLA lodging members Jacob Davis (Lake Lawn Resort), Brandon McConnell, CHA (Lake Lawn Resort), Kristina McConnell (Aimbridge Hospitality) and Krissy Sigmund (Chula Vista Resort and AmericInn Wisconsin Dells) lended their expertise as moderators during this session.

Local Advocacy Issues in Southern Wisconsin

The third session of the event placed a spotlight on the local tourism leaders in Southern Wisconsin and their instrumental role in advocacy. Erin McDonald Geronimo Hospitality’s Vice President of Lodging Erin McDonald moderated this panel discussion featuring Stephanie Klett, President & Chief Executive Officer, VISIT Lake Geneva, Christine Rebout, Janesville Area CVB Executive Director, and Celestino Ruffini, Visit Beloit President & CEO.

Wisconsin Advocacy Update

During the closing session, presenters explored the successes of our advocacy efforts and discussed the priority issues for the next legislative session. Dave Sekeres, General Manager of Lake Lawn Resort moderated this conversation with WHLA President & CEO Bill Elliott, CAE and WHLA contract lobbyist Kathi Kilgore, Swandby/Kilgore & Associates, Inc.

Evening Events

Following a full afternoon of education, attendees came together at The Porch at Merril Houston’s Steak Joint at the Ironworks Hotel for a cocktail reception sponsored by Visit Beloit. Conversation and drinks were plentiful, and local elected officials Wisconsin State Senator Mark Spreitzer and State Representative Clinton Anderson were in attendance and spoke to the group.

To cap off a full day, participants were treated to dinner on the roof at Hotel Goodwin with drinks sponsored by Geronimo Hospitality.

Future Lodging Innsights Events

The next Lodging Innsight Day will be held on May 23 at the Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire. For more information on this event series visit WisconsinLodging.org/innsights.

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