A CHAT WITH THE CHAIR

Spring is here in Wisconsin and welcome to our 2023 Products & Services Directory, highlighting WHLA’s Associate Members. We made it through another Wisconsin winter season and as we look forward to the many activities and events on the horizon over the next few months, it is time to do some spring shopping.

As our member properties begin the ramp up to summer, it is time to start placing those linen, terry or even mattresses or outdoor furniture orders along with scheduling those ritual spring cleaning services our associate members provide. What a great place to begin that process than our yearly Products & Services Directory. I know each year I look at this directory as much as I did the Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs as a child before Christmas — OK, now I have dated myself.

Our Associate Members also provide an array of other services to our member properties: insurance, finance, real estate and so much more. There is something for every member and for every ownership group and property associate to benefit from. As costs for many of the products and services we use daily continue to rise, it is even more imperative to bid out projects and our regular orders for products and services, ensuring we capitalize on every dollar available to our operations.

Our organization is stronger for having an excellent selection of Associate Member relationships that have been developed and maintained over the years. Our Associate Members know who we are and the unique needs we all have at our individual properties, removing those potential purchasing obstacles. WHLA appreciates the years of service by your organizations to our properties and for your continued support of WHLA. Wisconsin Hospitality is stronger than ever due to the efforts of all of our members working together to provide the finest level of accommodations.

The annual Products & Services Directory is only one way we can interact with the associate members. We launched a new regional program this year — Come meet some of our Associate Members at our Spring Wisconsin Lodging Innsights event in Eau Claire on May 23rd at the Metropolis Resort — plus, bring some non-members with you and introduce them to WHLA. There will be education seminars, along with networking opportunities before, during and after dinner that night. Check out the WHLA website for more details. I look forward to meeting some new members and potential members in May.

Have a wonderful spring and start to summer,

Jon Jossart

Ambassador Hotel Milwaukee

2023 WHLA Board Chair