As the old adage says, "necessity is the mother of invention," and many of you are proving how true that is. The solutions and programs you are implementing at your properties for the safety of your guests and team members are a testament to your compassion and ingenuity. The ways that many of you have provided support within your communities by sharing food, linen, and hotel rooms are immeasurable acts of kindness.

You are also assisting your fellow CHOC Family by sharing changes that you have made at your hotels. Here are just a few of the creative, functional, and inexpensive solutions that have come directly from the genius that is found among hoteliers.

• A Region 4 owner has implemented a process in which the laundry person folds the room towels and places them in the guest-room laundry bag with a note that the towels have only been touched by one person, and this was adopted in R12 the same day. Imagine how this will ease a guests’ mind!

• A R6 owner is placing videos of how his team cleans their guest rooms and is posting them to their hotel's Facebook page, and it is receiving attention from future guests!

• A R5 hotel is helping individuals that need a place to work because they can’t work or are tired of working from home by renting their suites as day-use office space. This is a revenue win for the hotel and a sanctuary for the guest!

Please continue to share your inspiring stories and your incredible innovations as they are helpful to all of us. We will add these "Property Innovative Practices" to the Owner submitted Best Practices and Tips section under the COVID 19 resources and provide assistance and much love across the entire country.

If you have any solutions that you have implemented that you would like to share, please submit them to your Regional Administrator.

Thank you to everyone that has joined the bi-weekly zooms that CHOC is putting together to bring you valuable information. We will continue to provide these zooms as the country begins to reopen. Our CBRE presentations, the Gillis Sales tool kit preparing you for selling now, and the regional health, tourism, and industry experts, have been some of your favorites.

Our next series of speakers will also be some that you don't want to miss. We are working with Ecolab and FisherPhillips to bring content that will be very beneficial as you prepare for the return of your guests and your team members.

Although this pandemic has created challenges and stressors that many of us have never experienced, it has also brought a collective energy of support and survival, and that is what CHOC is all about. We are all here for each other and with each other.

YOU ARE ALL TRULY AMAZING!!!

With the ongoing spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities, our country and our world, this pandemic continues to have a significant impact on all of our businesses. In this difficult time, as a hotel owner or an operator, sometimes we feel as if we are alone, but please know that we are all in this together. In challenging times, the power of hospitality and unity is needed most of all - I assure you, CHOC is here for you and will be with you to navigate these challenging days ahead.

Now more than ever, cleanliness and safety should be top of mind. Please utilize every available tool to stay educated in this changing environment. CHOC, Choice Hotels - ChoiceU.com, AHLA, AAHOA, and your local and state hospitality associations are all providing excellent resources, tools, and education content.

In the months ahead, please attend one of our virtual regional town halls where you will have the ability to receive updates and interaction with your leadership. We want to share what we are doing for you, but more importantly, we want to hear from you and what we can do to help you.

CHOC is committed to keeping you informed through this rapidly changing situation and please know we are committed to standing with you. In everything we do, we’re guided by our mission and our purpose: To represent you through a unified voice protecting the greater interests of its members by providing ideas, advocacy programs, and services – in other words, To be Your Voice.

Our united voice as an industry and franchisee will undoubtedly resonate more and help us better navigate through these uncertain times.

Sincerely,

Sam Patel Chairman Choice Hotels Owners Council