The California Hotel & Lodging Association is your source for lodging industry information. Listed in this section are several pertinent resources to assist your efforts, many of which are from the CH&LA Resource Guide, which as the name implies, includes a multitude of resources for those in the lodging industry. Specifically, you'll find resources in this section for Insurance, Employment / Labor Services, Education, Legal, and Energy information.

Exclusively for CH&LA members, the associations's toll-free hotline, (800) 678-2462, enables members to talk with industry experts about legal or operational issues regarding their properties. Perhaps the most important phone number members need to know, (800) 678-2462 provides the knowledge and resources of CH&LA to our members.

In addition, CH&LA/AH&LA lodging property members have access to the AH&LA Information Center, located at the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston. This full-service research center dedicated to collecting information about the lodging industry is a valuable, complimentary benefit to CH&LA/AH&LA members. If you need an answer, this is your resource - members needing additional information or having questions on industry related issues may fill out an Information Request Form or call 1-888-743-2515.

CH&LA's national affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), released its 2008 Lodging Survey, one of the most comprehensive industry-wide surveys of its kind, revealing notable trends in all segments of U.S. hotels. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by Smith Travel Research, the research analyzes feedback from more than 10,000 U.S. hotel properties polled in more than 100 areas of hotels, including types of in-room amenities, security and technology features, food and beverage options, number of beds, guest services, and property offerings.  Additionally, this year’s survey included green initiative analysis for the first time. CH&LA members can download a copy of the 2008 Lodging Survey by visiting the CH&LA Member Section.

 
 
Insurance

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is responsible for overseeing the $106 billion-a-year industry in California and protecting the state's insurance consumers. The CDI regulates, investigates and audits insurance business to ensure that companies remain solvent and meet their obligations to insurance policyholders. CDI's statewide toll-free hotline (800-927-HELP) and web site serve as an information clearinghouse for consumers with insurance-related questions or problems - California Department of Insurance.

CH&LA provides an entire chapter on insurance issues in the definitive legal reference for the California lodging industry, Laws Pertaining to the California Innkeeper (Third Edition).

Employment/Labor Services

Department of Industrial Relations
Department of Fair Employment and Housing
U.S. Department of Labor
California Employment Development Department

Education

CH&LA offers educational publications, videos, and training aids from the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Educational Institute at a 25% savings to members. In addition, CH&LA offers regional educational programs throughout the state.

CH&LA's Education Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in scholarship funding in recent years. For CH&LA scholarship program information, please call: (916) 444-5780.

Legal

CH&LA has produced the definitive legal reference for the California lodging industry, Laws Pertaining to the California Innkeeper (Third Edition).

CH&LA Lodging Industry Publications (CH&LA Members Receive 20% Savings).

Employee Handbook and Personnel Policies (Eighth Edition, 2002)
A guide to developing personnel policies providing you with information on preparing your own employee handbook.

Wrongful Discharge, Staff Reduction and Employment Practices Manual (Third Edition, 2001)
A comprehensive, practical guide to all aspects of wrongful discharge claims and many other employment issues.

Family and Medical Leave Manual for California Employers (Seventh Edition, 2003)
A guide through the complicated rules created by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Employment Discrimination and EEO Practice Manual (Seventh Edition, 2002)
Identifies and discusses areas of civil rights and handicapped laws that have caused employers liability in the past.

Energy

CH&LA has produced a manual for energy-related issues entitled Innkeepers Guide for Dealing with the Energy Crisis. This comprehensive manual covers exactly what every innkeeper needs to know and what to do to cope with an energy crisis.

In addition, the California Hotel & Lodging Association has recently been awarded its second Flex Your Power Energy Efficiency Award and is an ENERGY STAR partner. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Assess the energy performance of your hotels, establish a strategic energy management plan, follow the five stages to achieve rating improvements of 10 to 30 points, register for online training, and become an ENERGY STAR partner at www.energystar.gov/hospitality.

Flex Your Power – Rebates, Grants, Loans, Audits, Classes, Services
California Energy Commission