From Our Blog
Corpus Christi & the Coastal Bend – Miles & Miles of Sand and Sun
August, 30 2018This month’s featured city proves: A Texas weekend getaway won’t get better than this! Bask in over 70 miles of sand, sun, food, and culture on the beautiful Padre Island National… Read more »
Scott Joslove, Today’s Hotelier
August, 30 2018Tourism Public Improvement Districts: The next frontier excerpt from Today’s Hotelier, August 2018 For many years, hoteliers across the country have fought to keep local hotel occupancy taxes low and to… Read more »
Court Blocks Austin’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance from Taking Effect as Scheduled
August, 30 2018On August 17th, a state appeals court enjoined the City of Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance from taking effect as scheduled on October 1st. Austin was the first Texas city… Read more »
THLA Tax Tip: Don’t Forget to Collect State (but not local) Hotel Taxes on Attached Meeting Room Rentals
August, 29 2018It is easy to get confused about which taxes to collect on the rental of a meeting room or banquet room. Unfortunately, the law on point is itself confusing: For… Read more »
THLA Welcomes Christy Spradling – Associate Membership Director
August, 29 2018Texas Hotel & Lodging Association is excited to welcome Christy Spradling on board as Associate Membership Director! Along with Carolyn McCall-Squires, Christy will be handling all facets of membership sales… Read more »
Tara Energy hosting Construction/Renovation Guidelines Town Hall in Dallas
August, 27 2018Tara Energy is arranging a Town Hall in Dallas for hoteliers along with Oncor the Utility provider in North Texas covering the topic New Construction / Renovation Guidelines-Procedures.… Read more »
San Antonio Considers Following in Austin’s Footsteps with Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
July, 31 2018This week, the San Antonio city clerk’s office verified that proponents of a mandatory sick leave ordinance have gathered a sufficient number of signatures on a petition for the City… Read more »
6 Ways to Reduce Water Consumption in Hotels
July, 31 2018Summer heat reminds us of the importance of one of our most precious resources–water. From swimming pools to sprinklers to kitchen sinks, in our rapidly growing tourism sector hotels are… Read more »
Are you looking for staff to hire?
July, 31 2018Consider attending the State of Texas’s DiverseAbility Forum in Frisco, Texas on August 30th. The forum is hosted by the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, TWC Office of… Read more »
THLA Tax Tip – Sales Taxes on Housekeeping and Data Processing
July, 31 2018A reminder that sales taxes are likely due on housekeeping services and data processing services Do you utilize a third-party housekeeping or janitorial service to clean your lodging property? If… Read more »
Employing Minors at Hotels
June, 27 2018Employing Minors at Texas Hotels During the summer months, many hotels turn to high-school students to fill seasonal positions. If you are considering employing a minor at your hotel, this… Read more »
Remembering Ron Sanders – Big Bend Visionary and Tourism Advocate
June, 27 2018On June 9, the Texas lodging industry lost Ron Sanders, an inspirational leader for hoteliers and the tourism industry. Rondell “Ron” Sanders, CHA, served on THLA’s board of directors… Read more »
Round Rock, Sports Capital of Texas Hits a Home Run!
May, 30 2018Round Rock has made a name for itself as the Sports Capital of Texas, playing host to the biggest youth and recreational sports tournaments for athletes from all over the… Read more »
Service Animals Lodging Properties
May, 29 2018A service animal is not a pet. Read up on traveling to Texas accommodations and questions to ask a guest when you are unsure.
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Transgender Discrimination Violates Federal Anti-Bias Law
May, 29 2018In March, a federal appeals court extended the nation’s primary federal employment discrimination statute to cover transgender and transitioning employees. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employers… Read more »
Supreme Court Holds Employment Arbitration Clauses are Valid
May, 29 2018On May 21, 2018, the Supreme Court released a ruling on class action lawsuits that is very favorable to employers. In May, the Supreme Court ruled that class action… Read more »
Music Licensing: ASCAP, BMI, GMR, and SESAC
April, 30 2018Hoteliers across the U.S. often receive notice from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), Global Music Rights (GMR), and the Society of European… Read more »
Travel Then and Now in Texas
April, 30 2018Even if we weren’t there at the time, many are likely familiar with the State Fair of Texas and it’s impact to the city of Dallas annually. It’s amazing how… Read more »
New Federal Regulation on 9-1-1 Access Signed Into Law
April, 29 2018In February, with members of the Hunt family in attendance at the White House, President Trump signed H.R. 582 (known as “Kari’s Law”) on the 50th anniversary of the first… Read more »
Use Caution When Conducting Background Checks for Job Applicants
April, 29 2018Properly screening job candidates is an important part of a hotel manager’s duties, and we all want to make sure we hire the right person for the job. If conducting… Read more »
DALLAS – Big Things Happen Here!
March, 28 2018We don’t call it the ‘Big D’ for nothing! Dallas always features a jam-packed calendar of unique events including concerts, festivals, sports and entertainment, along with the largest urban arts… Read more »
Get a “Certificate of No Tax Due” for Next Hotel Purchase
March, 28 2018What Every Hotel Purchaser Should Request Before Closing March 2018 Every year, hotels in markets across Texas change ownership. Purchasers customarily engage in detailed due diligence prior to the closing… Read more »
Consider “Internationalizing” Your Hotel with International Interns
March, 28 2018By Jody Mayo What happens when employers looking for hospitality talent meet talented hospitality interns who need work experience? We think it is a match made in heaven. People support… Read more »
East Texas Hotelier Opens Doors to Disaster Victims
March, 27 2018Hurricane Harvey recovery continues, with a little help from the hotel industry After Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of Texas, the tremendous generosity of hoteliers across the state helped hundreds of… Read more »
Alcohol Sales Policies
February, 28 2018With Spring Break right around the corner, now is an excellent time to review your lodging property’s alcoholic beverage service policies to ensure compliance with Texas law. Remember, Texas law… Read more »
Meet Matthew Newton, THLA’s Chairman of the Board, 2018
February, 27 2018THLA is delighted to welcome Matthew Newton to the role of THLA’s Chairman of the Board for 2018. Matthew is a third-generation hotelier and has served on the THLA board… Read more »
U.S. House of Representatives passes the ADA Education and Reform Act; bill moves to Senate
February, 27 2018This month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the H.R. 620, known as “the ADA Education and Reform Act.” Supported by the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, the American… Read more »
“Wake for a Lost Convention”
February, 27 2018by Barbara Machado Social Media Alive in 1915? Living in today’s world of the internet and the rapid pace in which news spreads the globe, can you even imagine the… Read more »
Barb’s Blast from the Past
February, 26 2018by Barbara Machado Two years ago, I rejoined the THLA staff to assist with the Short Course at the University of Houston. It took about five minutes to recapture the excitement… Read more »
Explore Del Rio-The Oasis of Texas
January, 31 2018Del Rio is a frontier town that offers plenty of outdoor adventure and a flourishing arts community. The city is best known for being the home of Laughlin Air Force… Read more »