a half full-time employees, leveraged technology to stay connected, swiftly adapting to the need for rapid information. NeHA ensured its members were always informed about the latest developments, using email as a primary tool. “Communication has been vital to what we do and what we’ve been able to accomplish,” she maintains. “We even took on a new membership platform, where people can go immediately to an app. When something happens, as it often does in legislative issues, we can instantly send out an alert so they can be aware of what’s happening.” Looking ahead, a key goal is to address workforce shortages, a persistent issue exacerbated by Nebraska’s low unemployment rate and vast geographic spread. “The last time I checked, we had 38 jobs available for every working Nebraskan, that are not filled,” Olsen depicts. The state’s hospitality sector has had to innovate, shifting to a team-based service model in restaurants and adjusting hotel operations to cope with staffing challenges. She admits, “During COVID, of course, we changed howwe did things, but we found out coming back, we had to keep changing how we do things.We operate differently now.”Major events like the College World Series and the Olympic Swim Trials highlighted these workforce issues, prompting adaptations like reduced housekeeping services and the adoption of technology for check-ins and menus. “Right now, one of our main issues is the Credit Card Competition Act,” Olsen reports. “That’s a big thing. The FTC wants to change how we do business based on fees that we charge.”The association is also working to develop a visa system to bring people who want to come and work in the hospitality industry. “We have special visas for agricultural workers, we have special visas for specified scientific things. But we need people in our industry who want to come here to work and be a part of our communities. So that’s a big thing,” she emphasizes.“We work on that with other entities as well. It’s not just our industry, it’s looking at the whole person, and how we can make their experience here living in Nebraska pleasant, and a good opportunity for them.” As the hospitality sector continues to recover and evolve, the Nebraska Hospitality Association is committed to continued action as an advocate and innovator.With this focus, the association is not only navigating the challenges of today but also building a resilient and prosperous future for Nebraska’s hospitality industry. 56 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07
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