Members of the AHLA were advised at the Annual General Meeting held on May 19, 2004, that the members of the Alberta Resort & Campground Association have voted to amalgamated the operations of their association with the AHLA, following the lead of the membership of the Motel Association of Alberta, whose members voted to merge with the AHLA in October 2003. Campground operators will now be able to take advantages of the programs and services offered by the AHLA.

The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association will now represent almost 800 accommodation properties across the province, providing numerous programs and services to its members to assist in managing their costs.

Methamphetamine use and production in Alberta is growing at an exponential rate, and hotels and motels are prime locations for this dangerous activity. Methamphetamine labs and the waste they leave behind may be just seen as a mess, however they present specific health and safety risks that could unknowingly affect both hotel workers and guests. Arming your front line staff with information can improve the safety of all involved.

The processing required to make meth from precursor substances is easier and more accessible than ever. There are literally thousands of recipes and information about making meth on the Internet. An investment of a few hundred dollars in over-the-counter medications and chemicals bought at the nearest hardware store can produce thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine.

The drug can be made in a makeshift "lab" that can fit into something as small as a suitcase, cooler or backpack. Smaller clandestine labs known as "mom and pop" labs are found everywhere. The portability and speed with which this drug can be produced (anywhere from 20 minutes to 12 hours) makes hotel and motel rooms very appealing locations. YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

A session on methamphetamine labs was held at the AHLA’s recent convention in Jasper. More detailed seminars on this subject will be held in Edmonton & Calgary - check the Events Calendar section for dates & locations!

Every year at this time, the Hotel Association of Canada receives many inquiries about renting rooms to minors, generally in the context of graduation ceremonies and prom nights.

HAC legal counsel has prepared the attached opinion. WHILE THIS OPINION APPLIES TO ONTARIO, the principles are applicable across Canada.

Renting to minors is a real risk. Hotel operators may have a statutory obligation to rent to minors who have removed themselves from parental control. The surest way to avoid the risk is to receive complete disclosure from the minors who claim to have removed themselves from parental control and obtain written declaration from such minors. Should renting to minors still be desirable, not withstanding minors who are no longer under parental control, the surest way to avoid risk is to have an adult rent the room on behalf of or together with the minor.

The issue of bedbugs is again surfacing across Canada. This is an international problem and affects hotels, apartments, private residences, retirement homes and movie theatres.

Signs of infestation include live bedbugs on bed-frame joints, within mattress seams and on the back of headboards. There may be blood spots on sheets and bedding and there could be a sweet, musty odor present in the room. Immediate action must be taken. The room should be left the way it is found. Nothing should be removed from the room as this could spread an infestation. The room must be quarantined and professional assistance secured.

Thanks to the Hotel Association of Canada and Abell Pest Control for providing this information and checklist.

The AHLA is pleased to endorse the only nationally recognized program to identify, certify and promote properties that welcome travelling pets and their owners.

Through partnerships and alliances with government and industry organizations, Pets Can Stay Canada offers an unparalleled level of resources and services to accommodation providers and travelers with pets. Pets Can Stay Canada certified establishments benefit from standardized certification criteria, pet service resources and upgrades, product offerings and marketing initiatives that effectively target the growing sector of pet-toting travelers. For the traveler, Pets Can Stay Canada provides invaluable resources, tips and advice for traveling with pets, and information on all Pets Can Stay Canada certified establishments. Once certified, Pets Can Stay Canada™ establishments belong to a unique group of accommodation providers, and are entitled to a wide range of benefits including:

· Use of the Pets Can Stay Canadalogo and stickers. Your property’s rating will be noted in the 2005 Alberta Accommodation Guide and on the Explore Alberta website.
· Convenient access to ordering of wholesale products (e.g. branded-biscuits, ready-made welcome baskets, pet food, leashes, water dishes etc.)
· Upgrade options including full pet insurance coverage under the RestAssured™ program.
· Ongoing support and promotion by a dedicated account manager who understands your business and client needs thoroughly, and much more!

To ensure that your information is received in time for inclusion in the 2005 Alberta Accommodation Guide, please complete and fax in the attached application form. For your convenience, this form can also be completed online at www.petscanstay.ca under the Become a Certified Pet-Friendly Accommodation/ Apply Now links.

Upon receipt of your application, a Pets Can Stay Canada representative will contact you with additional details. For more information on the program and applicable rates, please call 1-877-413-3161.