SIA’s 114th Annual Meeting

May 22, 2022 – May 24, 2022
Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Highlands, NC

From enjoying mountain vistas studded with rhododendron and mountain laurel to braving torrential rainstorms viewed from beneath Old Edwards' signature brown umbrellas, a near-record group of Southern Innkeepers laughed, learned and shared ideas at the association's 114th Annual Conference.

A little rain didn't dampen our spirits as the group gathered under a tent on the gracious lawns of Piermont Cottage to greet old friends and welcome new ones at Sunday's opening reception.

On Monday morning, members were inspired by a talk by Stefan Wissenbach on "The Power of Engagement." He reminded members of the ABCs of employee engagement: alignment, belonging and clarity; and of the importance of a vision as he shared his work with the Magic Future Foundation.

The upbeat tone continued as Arch Stokes shared examples of lawsuits won by focusing on leadership instead of personal ego in his talk on "Abusive versus Golden Leadership," and Margaret Seeley Furniss, Vice President of Wellbeing Strategy and Experience with Beemok Hospitality, considered how creating a culture of wellness can enhance employee engagement and create happier, more productive teams.

A talk on cyber security and data defense brought a more somber tone to the meeting, as Wynn Salisch of Casablanca Ventures explained how data breaches happen, and shared strategies to minimize the risk of these devastating events.

A look at AH&LA's government affairs agenda and current trends in the nation's capitol were shared by Brian Crawford, AH&LA's VP of Government Affairs. While Congress is very divided and bogged down, things that bear watching are new overtime rules; FTC focus on "hidden fees," including resort and facility fees; and new SEC rules on disclosure of climate risks. Brian also talked about the approval of 35,000 additional H2B workers and said that the J1 program appears to be safe for now. Finally, he shared AH&LA Foundation training programs for lodging managers, hotel cooks, and maintenance/engineering that are great for building and retaining staff.

Our signature social event on Monday evening was a spectacular interactive dinner in the gorgeous glorified "barn" at The Farm at Old Edwards. Chefs competed for accolades at food stations featuring everything from chateaubriand to adult milkshakes, and guests enjoyed the opportunity to sample multiple dishes while socializing with friends.

Tuesday morning opened with the Annual Business Meeting. A record number of new members were introduced, a new slate of officers were elected and President Casey Lavin raised the question of a dues increase in order to enhance and expand association offerings. Extraordinary Employee Awards were presented to Matt McArthur, 200 Main Hotel Manager, and Sarah Wilson, Room Attendant. Thank you Jordan Beckner for providing funding for these awards!

Tips and techniques for navigating the H2B and J1 process and maximizing the value of these programs for your property were shared by Keith Pabian of Pabian Law and Pat Turnbull, International Recruiter for the Old Edwards Inn.

For many, a highlight of our program is the annual Best Practice sessions, where attendees raise issues and receive feedback from their colleagues. This year's topics included: the future of turndown service; data mining; industry branding (considering hospitality a profession rather than an industry); changing consumer desires and expectations; how to engage new employees in the first 90 days; diversity and inclusion among hoteliers; and discussion of your best hotel experience and what made it shine.

On Tuesday afternoon, the sun broke through and Southern's intrepid golfers and hikers were able to head out on afternoon adventures.

A huge thank you to our host, the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, for their magnificent hospitality!