things. We were fighting this uphill battle. We were very focused on the negative. I think we moved from there to more of a, “Let’s talk about what our first job was,” at Hill Climb and basically talk about where our
beginnings were, not where we currently are.
It’s like the focus was to personalize ourselves as business owners, as people and as family members. We put in the time and the years, and that was a huge, huge change that helped us.
I mean, let’s work with the legislation, let’s do our best and instead of being a roadblock, maybe be a detour instead.
One of the examples was the short-term housing bill and making sure that AirBnBs are charged proper transient taxes and had insurance. Making sure we were on even ground with hotels and short-term housing. We did that by talking to them. I talked with Rep. Cindy Ryu, and I basically mentioned, “Why are you leaving tax money on the table? These are revenues that the state could use well.”
Anthony: When we first joined forces as lodging and restaurants, the lodging folks were worried they’d get lost in the shuffle, given how massive the restaurant industry is and how many members they have. Do you feel like we’ve been able to find a balance? Do you feel like lodging is well-represented in hospitality?
Ron: I would say absolutely. Lodging is integrated and represented, I think with any organization there’s going to be ebbs and flows. Sometimes the focus is going to be on the restaurant industry and sometimes it's going to be on the lodging industry.
The balance is in making sure the lodging industry has a voice and a vote when we need it. Likewise, the restaurant industry needs to be represented when there’s need, and that was true during COVID. The association did focus a lot on the restaurant industry because it was shut down, and basically the hotels were on life support, but we were still running and operating. I think it was difficult for everyone, but when we had the ability to do so we got the commerce grants which greatly benefited hotels.
Anthony: You often hear people say in community organizations they get more out of it than they put in. Do you feel like you get what you put into the association?
Ron: Absolutely. I didn’t go into the association to get business contacts, sell things, for personal gain or to increase my income. Honestly, I joined the association because I was operating my family business, and I felt like I was stagnating. I felt I had a lot more to give and I felt I needed more. In some ways by volunteering and spending time with the association I grew a lot of my education and gained a lot of experience. Really great people mentored me, helped me grow as a person and that ultimately helped me in business. What I contributed I got 10 times back.
Anthony: You've probably spent more time on the Membership Services Corporation (MSC) than any prior chair we had in developing programs. Was there any reason you became very passionate about it and growing it to where we are?
Ron: Definitely. MSC is the gas tank for the association. You know the board is the steering wheel and the engine is your staff. But really, MSC is where the association earns its revenue. It has to be the strongest aspect of the association in order for us to have longevity and continuity.
Anthony: Thank you so much for your work with us for the industry, Ron. It’s been a pleasure.
And always it's an honor to serve you, our members.
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