CHLA Lodging News Nov/Dec 2019

24 CALIFORNIA LODGING NEWS www.calodging.com Tools, Trainings, and Partnerships Highlight 2019 SAFE Conference WITH A HOTEL BALLROOM FULL of bed bugs, legionella, and cannabis, what could go wrong?! Those discussions were just the “under card” at California Hotel & Lodging Association’s annual SAFE Conference Sept. 19 at the expansive Hilton Anaheim. More than 130 attendees engaged in roundtables, heard keynote presentations, learned about nuts-n-bolts training opportunities and shared best practices as part of the hotel industry’s commitment to the safety of its guests, its employees and its communities. “Every year, we gain new knowledge that helps keep our hotels among the safest industries in California,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, CHLA President and CEO, who hosted the annual day-long conference. “And, every year, we see how dedicated our members are to protecting their people and their property.” SAFE’s top topics captured the seriousness of worldwide issues manifesting themselves in populous destinations such as California: “Soft Targets & Crowded Places;” “Managing Homelessness;” and “Risk Assessment for Human Trafficking.” Keynote speakers highlighted increasing protections against terrorism and managing the daily challenge of street behavior as growing issues hotels are addressing to remain safe. Knowing how to balance the safety of guests with the rights of people with mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, and without shelter who enter hotel properties drew the attention of many attendees. One of the sessions at the conference was Managing Homelessness In & Around your Property, moderated by Sean Sherrodd, Director of Security, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa; and the panelists included Arthur Dennis, Director of Security at JW Marriott & LA Live, Greg Coppola, Director of Security at the US Grant Hotel and Nate Musson, Security Manager for the Hotel Nikko San Francisco.