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Dynamic speakers and compelling content are the cornerstones of the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show. Content for our program is guided by an open call for speakers with an agenda curated by WHLA leaders from Wisconsin hotel and lodging properties and management companies. 

Our event attendees asked, and we listened - the 2023 Wisconsin Lodging Conference will have more educational sessions than ever before! The 2023 Conference Schedule is packed with educational sessions with fifteen breakout sessions and two keynotes. 

Sunday, November 5, 2023

First Time Attendee Meet Up with WWIL

Top Shelf  |  6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
​Hosted by the Wisconsin Women in Lodging, this reception is designed to encourage networking among other first-time attendees and provide an opportunity for you to meet WHLA volunteer leaders.

Wisconsin Women in Lodging Mix & Mingle

Top Shelf  |  7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
​All attendees are welcome to join the Wisconsin Women in Lodging for refreshments and conversation leaders from this growing WHLA group. Make connections with WWIL leaders in a relaxed and inviting environment.
Sponsored by:

Opening Reception

Spruce/Sands & Evergreen/Frontier  |  7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Raise a glass, enjoy a bite to eat, and connect with event attendees a fun and causal environment. Meet new people from across the state and win prizes by participating in the “Where in Wisconsin” game and sample local Stevens Point libations from Great Northern Distillery, Sunset Point Winery, and Stevens Point Brewery. Be sure to wear your logo’d hotel or business appeal to show “where in Wisconsin” you’ve traveled from. 
Sponsored by:

Monday, November 6, 2023

Networking Breakfast

Expo 1, 2  |  7:30 am - 8:30 am
Enjoy breakfast and network with fellow attendees.
Sponsored by:

Opening Ceremonies and 2023 WHLA Annual Meeting

Prairie Ballroom  |  8:30 am - 9:00 am
​This session officially kicks off the 2023 Wisconsin Lodging Conference.  Learn about the day’s events and hear from the people who coordinated this year’s conference. Then, hear about the official work of the association at WHLA’s 2023 Annual Meeting.
Welcome Kit Sponsored by:

Opening Keynote  |  Thanks for Coming in Today: Creating a Culture Where Employees Thrive and Customer Service is Alive

Prairie Ballroom  |  9:00 am - 10:15 am
By providing your customers with an unforgettable experience, your business can build customer loyalty and gain an edge over your competition. But what we often forget is that great customer experience starts with happy employees. Ryan Minton shares immediate, low-cost solutions to transform your workplace into a customer-centric enterprise.

Speaker: Ryan Minton (Thanks for Coming in Today)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Straight Talk on Employee Recognition

Track: Strengthening Roots
Spruce/Sands  |  10:30 am - 11:30 am
In an increasingly competitive and candidate driven job market, many property owners and operators are seeking solutions to tap into the supply of potential employees. During this session, our panel will dig into the staffing crisis in the lodging industry and share new approaches to navigate this complicated landscape. 

Moderated by: Michael Luehrs
Panelists: Sara Abbott, Ryan Batley, Pete Boese, Joan Hutchinson, Randee Talwar

Condo Law Roundtable

Track: Branching Out
Evergreen/Frontier  |  10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join your fellow condo hotel managers for a Condo Law Roundtable discussion. Bring your questions to share with Melanie Lee, an attorney and shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren's Real Estate Practice who specializes in condo association law. Melanie has guided multiple WHLA members on the challenges of operating condo hotels in Wisconsin.​

Speaker: Melanie S. Lee (Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren s.c.)

Commercial Strategy Roundtables

Track: Growing Strategy
Stonefield/Harvest  |  10:30 am - 11:30 am
Jump into this interactive session and collaborate on key topics to help bridge the gap between Revenue, Sales, Marketing, and Executive Leadership. You’ll take away some actionable insights you can apply at your properties right away!

Facilitators: Anthony Rose and Thomas Hansen (IDeaS)
Table Captains: Jacob Davis (Lake Lawn Resort), Cindy Lapidakis (Royal Basket Trucks), Brandon McConnell (Lake Lawn Resort), Kristina McConnell (Aimbridge Hospitality), Derek Morrison (Hilton Madison Monona Terrace), Nick Schrader (Royal Basket Trucks)

Legislative Luncheon

Expo 1, 2  |  11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Enjoy lunch and learn about the legislative landscape impacting the lodging industry. AHLA’s Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs will give a brief update on advocacy activity at the Nation’s capitol. ​Then, hear about tourism promotion efforts in Wisconsin from Secretary Sayers. Now that the state budget has passed with a historic investment in tourism, Secretary Sayers will discuss how the Department of Tourism is working to drive Wisconsin’s tourism economy.

Speakers: Sharon Sykes (American Hotel & Lodging Association) and Secretary Anne Sayers (Wisconsin Department of Tourism)
Sponsored by:

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Wisconsin Room Tax Forum

Track: Strengthening Roots
Spruce/Sands  |  1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Room tax is an incredibly important tool for creating a strong tourism industry in Wisconsin municipalities. In this session, you'll learn about the basics behind Wisconsin's Room Tax Law and you'll hear from several tourism leaders around the state about their experiences working within our room tax model.​

Speaker & Moderator: Bill Elliott (WHLA)
Panelists: Sara Brish (Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau), Lance Schaefer, CHA (Everest Hospitality)

Student Session

Track: Branching Out
Evergreen/Frontier  |  1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Student attendees are invited to meet lodging industry leaders in a panel discussion. Hear their industry insights, career advice,  and knowledge from the field.

Moderator: Bailey Jacque (UW-Stout)
Panelists: Erin McDonald (Geronimo Hospitality Group), Victor Ravago (Bravo Hospitality)

Wisconsin Hotel Performance & Outlook

Track: Growing Strategy
Stonefield/Harvest  |  1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
STR will provide a review of summer 2023 performance and share a comprehensive outlook to assist in planning for the balance of the year and budgeting for 2024.

Speaker: Rico Louw, CHIA (STR)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Cultivating Success: Harnessing Workplace Culture for Enhanced Recruitment, Retention, and Legal Risk Mitigation

Track: Strengthening Roots
Spruce/Sands  |  2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Explore how fostering a positive work environment can drive improved employee recruitment and retention rates, elevate overall job satisfaction, and effectively reduce employment claims and legal risks.​

Speaker: Robert Sanders (Taylor English)

Unlocking Technology Trends in Guest Services

Track: Branching Out
Evergreen/Frontier  |  2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Learn how Wisconsin hoteliers can unlock technology trends in guest services to enhance the hotel experience and improve operational efficiencies through an expanded use of technology. Explore trends that illustrate what guests are demanding to enable distinct types of self-service, contactless experiences, reliable streaming entertainment options, security, and more mobility and flexibility for staff.

Speaker: Corey Stuttgen (Spectrum Enterprise)

Hospitality Digital Marketing Trends: Build an Online Strategy to Accelerate Growth in 2024

Track: Growing Strategy
Stonefield/Harvest  |  2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
This is a critical year to assess the marketing landscape of technology, media, and labor and make a blueprint to support your growth goals for 2024 and beyond. Tune your website, content, and channel strategy to optimize your output. Your strategy should blend tried-and-true tactics with technically innovative ones to keep you ahead of your competition in Wisconsin. Learn how to plan a website update to implement AI and other technology and get more out of your website performance.

Speaker: Craig Carbonniere (Milestone Inc.)

Wisconsin Lodging Trade Show

Expo 3A, 3B, 4  |  3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
​Browse a great lineup of products and services tailored to the lodging industry. Meet new and valued vendors, enjoy refreshments, and bidding on the Silent Auction.
Bar Sponsored by:

Chair's Reception in the Trade Show Hall

Expo 3A, 3B, 4  |  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
All attendees are invited to this reception hosted by WHLA’s 2023 Board Chair Jon Jossart in the trade show hall. Featuring appetizers, hosted beer, and the new Golden Ticket drawing.
Bar Sponsored by:

Lodging Reception

All Commons  |  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Enjoy drinks with members of WHLA’s chapters in Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee, and learn more about activating a chapter in your community.
Bar Sponsored by:

Dinner with Awards Presentation and Live Auction

Expo 1, 2, 3A, 3B  |  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Enjoy the signature dish from award-winning Executive Chef David Ahles. Help us recognize this year’s winners of WHLA’s Development Excellence, Educator of the Year, Associate of the Year, Corporate Champion, and Innkeeper of the Year Awards. Then, bid to win one of the regional getaway packages during the Live Auction. 
Sponsored by:

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Keynote & Balanced Breakfast with the Wisconsin Women in Lodging
​
​Conquering Overwhelm: 5 Strategies to Crush Your Goals & Reclaim Your Time

Expo 1, 2  |  8:00 am - 9:30 am
Are you fed up with the overwhelming stress of constantly being pulled in a million different directions? Join Jenna as she shares firsthand lessons, practical tools, and valuable insights on overcoming the never-ending to-do list, getting more of the right things done in less time, and crushing your goals to achieve fulfillment in both your career and your life.

Speaker: Jenna Piche (First Light Coaching)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Crossing the Generational Divide in the Hospitality Workforce

Track: Strengthening Roots
Spruce/Sands  |  9:30 am - 10:15 am
Explore strategies to increase effectiveness when managing a diverse generational workforce. Learn how to get the best from the different generations at your property by encouraging respect, avoiding stereotypes, and recognizing one another's strengths.​

Facilitator: Amy K. Simchak, CHA

Condotel Roundtable

Track: Branching Out
Evergreen/Frontier  |  9:30 am - 10:15 am
Join your fellow condo property managers at this interactive session to learn from their experiences, explore best practices, and come away with new ideas on how to structure your board governance and property management.

Your Next Generation Web Presence Workshop — Why Content Discovery, Omnichannel Experience, and Artificial Intelligence are Must-Haves for Hotel Marketing in 2024 and Beyond

Track: Growing Strategy
Stonefield/Harvest  |  9:30 am - 10:15 am
Discover the art of utilizing different assets, such as images and videos, effectively using tools from Google. Learn how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can elevate guest experiences, improve digital discoverability, and empower impactful marketing campaigns. 

Speaker: Craig Carbonniere (Milestone Inc.)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

The Transformative Power of the Ideal Week

Track: Strengthening Roots
Spruce/Sands  |  10:30 am - 11:15 am
While taking life one day at a time is a reassuring notion, it impedes our ability to be intentional about our high-leverage work and priorities. Join Jenna Piche as she introduces the concept of the Ideal Week as a tool to transform your workweek. Learn how this tool can help you become more strategic, allowing you to get the right things done and advance your goals.

Speaker: Jenna Piche (First Light Coaching)

Creating a Safe Haven: Building a Resilient Culture with EEOC-Compliant Strategies to Prevent, Investigate, and Respond to Harassment and Discrimination Claims in the Hotel & Lodging Industry

Track: Branching Out
Evergreen/Frontier  |  10:30 am - 11:15 am
In the ever-evolving landscape of the hotel and lodging industry, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace is not only crucial for mitigating legal risk but also paramount for employee retention and building a thriving organizational culture. Join us for an empowering presentation that equips professionals in the hospitality sector with EEOC-compliant strategies to prevent, investigate, and respond to harassment and discrimination claims effectively.​

Speaker: Robert Sanders (Taylor English)

Working with Brands: From Soft Brands to Traditional Flags

Track: Growing Strategy
Stonefield/Harvest  |  10:30 am - 11:15 am
In this session, we'll explore trends in the world of branded hotels. This will be a lively conversation between hoteliers and brand representatives.​

Moderator: Victor Ravago (Bravo Hospitality Group)

Closing Keynote  |  How to Ensure Employees are Seen, Heard, and Supported

Prairie Ballroom  |  11:30 am - 12:30 pm
In this session we will put the Fun back in FUNdamentals by diving into actionable ways to strengthen your company culture and become a more effective & emotionally intelligent leader through authentic and intentional action. Across all industry retention is low, and our lean teams are feeling understaffed, overworked, and unmotivated. Many leaders young and seasoned want to make positive change but are overwhelmed by where to start, and this session will help!

​​Speaker: James Ferguson (Confetti Culture)

Thank you to our Sponsors

Speaker Selection

WHLA’s volunteer lead Education/Conference Committee is responsible for selecting the sessions for the annual Wisconsin Lodging Conference. The selection process follows a review of every proposal submitted. The Education/Conference Committee strives for a diverse and well-balanced conference.