Businesses thrive through Pendleton Whisky Music Fest amid workforce shortage | Local News
PENDLETON — Concertgoers packed into the 47 rooms at the Marigold Hotel in downtown Pendleton, eager to see country artist Toby Keith and others at last weekend’s Pendleton Whisky Music Fest.
But only three employees were working at the fully booked hotel that weekend. They scrambled to clean rooms as people cycled in rapidly. Some customers received discounts because staff didn’t have enough time for a deep clean. At one point, the hotel even ran out of washcloths.
“There were expectations, there were deadlines, and there wasn’t the people to do it because there was nobody here,” said general manager Bobbi McGee.
Having the large event back in action, drawing thousands of people to the community from across the Northwest, brought much-needed revenue for the hotel after a challenging pandemic…
