We need a commitment from everyone
The 2011 Montana legislative session is at the halfway point. A number of issues involving the hospitality industry have been settled, but a number remain.
Since last fall, your businesses have been ably represented at candidate forums, receptions, board meetings, hearings, and legislative floor sessions. It has been impressive to watch those of you who stand up for the hospitality businesses in Montana and present your case.
It also somewhat disheartening to see how often the heavy lifting is carried by the same stalwarts year after year, issue after issue, while so many stand on the sidelines, or worse, stand on the sidelines and critique and nitpick the performance of those who are actually in the arena.
To those who keep up their memberships and attend the conventions, board meetings, candidate forums, legislative receptions and the hearings, kudos! You are the backbone of the hospitality industry's survival.
To those of you who seldom if ever participate, except to perhaps complain, who seek to sabotage the majority when you disagree with them, or who won't join the fight because it might make some folks mad at you, “welcome to the club.” How do you think you fight for your rights without heightened feelings?
To those who of you who think your business wouldn't be demolished overnight without the vigilance of your trade organizations, how about a commitment to do your share as we all move forward?
Commit to come to the meetings and learn the issues. Commit to getting to know your local public policy decision makers, send in your email addresses and phone numbers to one of the industry associations (the Montana Tavern Association, the Gaming Industry Association, the Montana coin-ops association, the restaurant association, the convenience store association) so you can be contacted when needed. And when you are contacted, help. Don't just pass the responsibility to someone else.
The track record of the hospitality industry in the Montana Legislature is second to none. But if it keeps relying on the same battalion of dedicated defenders who someday are going to tire, or retire, or both, the free riders are going to find out in a hurry how bad business can get when it has no champions.
We're doing well. Let's put the pieces in place to make sure we continue to do so.