FRLA

Pinellas & Hillsborough - Confetti Culture by James Ferguson
2025-09-17 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Marriott Tampa Airport, 4200 George J Bean Pkwy, Tampa, FL, 33607, United States
Join the FRLA Pinellas and Hillsborough Chapters for Confetti Culture presented by Best-selling Author & Keynote Speaker, James Ferguson! James is a visionary, employee engagement expert, culture coach, and author of bestseller The Confetti Culture Playbook: How to Boost Your Team’s Contribution & Impact!
He specializes in building cultures where employees feel seen, heard, and celebrated – every single day! With a proven record of energizing hospitality management teams, James puts the FUN back in the fundamentals of employee engagement. James’s sessions aren’t just talks – they’re transformative experiences.
Join us for this unforgettable session that’s equal parts powerful and purposeful. In this inspiring talk, James will show how to lead with impact, master resilience, time management, and reinvention, showing how you can turn hope into habits through this confetti-filled formula that builds a more positive, productive, and profitable culture!
Event Details:
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
8:30 AM – Registration
9:oo AM – Presentation
Marriott Tampa International Airport
4200 George J Bean Parkway Tampa, FL
Registration:
Member – $45 per person
Future Member – $55 per person
Reserved Table of 8 – $350
Register Now

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Event Sponsor: $550
(Includes opportunity to welcome guests, corporate logo on signage, video screen and reserved table of 6)
Breakfast Sponsor: $250
(Includes recognition, signage with corporate logo and 2 event tickets)

Pinellas - Peer-to-Peer Conversations: A Growth Opportunity for Leaders
2025-11-04 08:30 - 11:00 | Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL, 33716, United States
Management comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether it’s making critical decisions, staying ahead of industry changes, or solving complex problems, leaders often find themselves navigating uncharted waters. In these moments, having a trusted group of peers to turn to can make all the difference. Having peer-to-peer conversations with people who understand the pressures and realities of running a business is invaluable.
Our expert industry panel will address relevant topics such as:

How to create value
How to get the most from technology
Current Labor Market
Recovery
Guest experience
And much more!

After the panel discussion all attendees will break into round tables for peer-to-peer conversations. Please join the Pinellas Chapter for this innovative opportunity!

View Flyer
Event Details:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
8:30 AM Registration
9:00 – 11:00 AM – Peer to Peer Conversation
Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg
REGISTRATION:
Member – $15 per person
Future Member – $22 per person
SPONSORSHIP:
Event Sponsor $250
Corporate Signage and (2) Attendees

Register Now!
Registration Deadline: 11/3/2025

Pinellas - Escape the Ordinary Leadership Event
2025-11-24 14:30 - 18:00 | Escape FLA, 2480 East Bay Drive #21, Largo, 33771, United States
UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS BEING RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER. DETAILS COMING SOON!

Join the FRLA Pinellas Chapter for an extraordinary opportunity to engage in a dynamic leadership event that promises to strengthen communication and spark creativity! Members are invited to harness their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in an exhilarating attempt to escape the room at Escape FLA. This high-stakes escape game room experience is designed to inspire members to think, act, and solve problems together.
Event Details:
Monday, November 24, 2025
Escape FLA
2480 East Bay Drive #21 Largo, FL
Schedule of Events:
2:30 PM Check-in
3:00 – 5:00 PM Try to Escape
4:00 – 6:00 PM Reception
Note: There are two time slots to choose from when registering on Eventbrite.
First Escape: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Second Escape: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
You will choose your escape once you arrive (based on capacity):
“Operation Blackstone” or “Las Vegas Heist”
Event Pricing:
Members: $29
Limited Participation! Sign up today!
Click Here to Register!
Registration Deadline: 11/21/2025
Sponsorship Opportunity:
Reception Sponsor: $150
(Welcoming at reception, corporate logo signage, plus one entry to escape room.)

Pinellas - Holiday Social
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:30 | Clear Sky on Cleveland, 418 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, FL, 33755, United States
You are cordially invited to mix, mingle, and give back this holiday season! Join us at the FRLA Pinellas Chapter Holiday Social at Clear Sky on Cleveland for a great cause.

Pinellas - Escape the Ordinary Leadership Event (Rescheduled Event)
2025-12-15 14:30 - 18:00 | Escape FLA, 2480 East Bay Drive #21, Largo, 33771, United States
Join the FRLA Pinellas Chapter for an extraordinary opportunity to engage in a dynamic leadership event that promises to strengthen communication and spark creativity! Members are invited to harness their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in an exhilarating attempt to escape the room at Escape FLA. This high-stakes escape game room experience is designed to inspire members to think, act, and solve problems together.
Event Details:
Monday, December 15, 2025
Escape FLA
2480 East Bay Drive #21 Largo, FL
Schedule of Events:
2:30 PM Check-in
3:00 – 5:00 PM Try to Escape
4:00 – 6:00 PM Reception
Note: There are two time slots to choose from when registering on Eventbrite.
First Escape: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Second Escape: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
You will choose your escape once you arrive (based on capacity):
“Operation Blackstone” or “Las Vegas Heist”
Event Pricing:
Members: $29
Limited Participation! Sign up today!
Click Here to Register!
Registration Deadline: TBD
Sponsorship Opportunity:
Reception Sponsor: $150
(Welcoming at reception, corporate logo signage, plus one entry to escape room.)

Pinellas - 2026 Board Installation Reception
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater, FL, 33767, United States
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
REGISTER NOW

Hillsborough & Pinellas - Hospitality Forward Series: Industry Trends & Insights
2026-03-25 08:30 - 10:30 | The Karol Hotel, 2675 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL, 33762, United States
Hospitality Forward: Industry Trends
Join us for the first meeting series of 2026!
Change is the only constant in the hospitality industry. With guest/patron satisfaction and experience at the core of success, businesses must stay ahead of the trends shaping the industry. The Pinellas & Hillsborough Chapters of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association have assembled a distinguished panel of hospitality experts who will explore key hospitality trends and offer insights to provide leaders with informed ideas on people, technology, and processes. We want to help your business not only adapt, but thrive in 2026 and beyond!
Topics:

What was/is working in 2025/2026
Status of the market
What consumers are drinking
How technology is affecting the industry
Generational behavior shifts
Operational supply chain health and issues

Distinguished Industry Panel

Daniel Murphy, Division of Marketing & Development, Florida Department of Agriculture
Michelle Stencik, Director, Customer Strategic Insights, Coke
David Boothe, Vice President, Republic National Distributing Company
Jeremy Padilla, Region Vice President, Sysco West Florida
Dora Fruman, Head of Client Strategies, Revenue Management Solutions
Steve Jaeger, Director of Portfolio, Republic National Distributing Company

Q&A to follow the panel discussion!

Event Details:
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
8:30 AM – Registration
9:00 – 10:30 AM – Industry Panel and Light Breakfast
The Karol Hotel | 2675 Ulmerton Road Clearwater, FL
$40 – Per Meeting
(or $99 for all 3 meetings)

Register Now!
Registration deadline: 3/24/2026

Sponsorship Opportunities:
$150 – Event Sponsor
(includes corporate signage and two attendees)

Pinellas & Hillsborough - 3rd Annual Reverse Hotel & Restaurant Showcase
2026-04-23 | Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL, 33716, United States
Save the Date! Join the FRLA Pinellas and Hillsborough Chapter on April 23rd for the 3rd Annual Reverse Hotel & Restaurant Showcase!

Pinellas - Annual Bowling Tournament
2026-05-21 | Liberty Lanes, 11401 Starkey Road, Largo, FL, 33773, United States
Save the Date!! Join the FRLA Pinellas Chapter on May 21st for the annual bowling tournament at Liberty Lanes!

Pinellas - 27th Annual Hospitality Golf Classic
2026-08-10 | The Vinoy Golf Club, 600 Snell Isle Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Save the Date!
The 27th Annual FRLA Pinellas Hospitality Golf Classic
August 10, 2026
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club

More details to follow!

Summit
2026-08-18 - 2026-08-20 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, FL, 1 Seminole Way, Davie, FL, 33314, United States
FRLA’s Summit is back for its 14th annual premier hospitality event, August 18-20, 2026 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. Join Florida’s most influential hospitality professionals and top-level executives for this two-day event. Bringing you leading industry trends, best practices, top-notch speakers, and unparalleled networking, we’ve made sure there’s a seat for everyone at our table.
TICKETS
*Tickets on sale soon.
MEET THE 2025 SPEAKERS
Tim Tebow
2025 AGENDA
CLICK HERE TO VIEW AGENDA
ACCOMODATIONS
*Room block coming soon. Should you have any questions please contact Ashley Gholston, Events & Industry Relations Director, agholston@frla.org.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Davie, FL 33314

Property Maps: VIEW HERE
Dinner Reservations:
If you would like to dine on property please call in advance to Customer Care at 954-316-2900 to make reservations at Cipresso Italian, Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, and Kuro Japanese. Please tell the agent that you are with FRLA. Here is a link to available dining options if you would like to preview menus.

MARKETING & ALLIED MEMBER COUNCIL
CLICK HERE to view the Marketing & Allied Member Council. This event would not be possible without the input and guidance from our council. THANK YOU for investing your time and for your continued support of the FRLA! If you have interest in joining the Marketing & Allied Member Council contact Ashley Jackson.
2025 HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

FRLA Pinellas ROSE Awards - SAVE THE DATE
2026-09-03 17:30 - 20:30 | Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandaly Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL, 33767
SAVE THE DATE
The 7th Annual Pinellas ROSE Awards
September 3, 2026
Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach

The7th Annual Pinellas ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards will celebrate the remarkable efforts of frontline hospitality professionals who consistently exceed expectations in delivering exceptional service. These individuals truly epitomize the unwavering commitment of the county to curate unforgettable experiences for each and every visitor. We cordially invite you to be a part of this prestigious event as we pay tribute to these outstanding champions who are shaping the landscape of hospitality with their dedication and passion.
For sponsorship or additional information, please contact FRLA Regional Director Dannette Lynch
727-642-3404 or dannette@frla.org

The Florida Restaurant Show
2026-10-25 - 2026-10-27 | Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
INTRODUCING…THE FLORIDA RESTAURANT SHOW!

Whether you’re an independent owner, quick-serve restaurant operator, chef, caterer, baker, bar or nightclub operator, hospital, hotel, or commercial foodservice personnel — join us for 3 days October 25-27, 2026, at the Florida Restaurant Show at the Orange County Convention Center.
Learn about the hottest menu trends, state-of-the-art design and decor, the best in business education within our education programming, and hundreds of the leading vendors and purveyors dedicated to serving the restaurant & foodservice community — all under one roof.
Watch live culinary performances and listen in on discussions about how our chefs came to be. Emerging trends abound on the show floor with hundreds of exhibitors and in our exciting special events. Spark your creative appetite and celebrate your passion for the profession.
Thank you so much to all our partners and supporters!

LEARN MORE HERE

Questions? Contact:

Registration: FRLA restaurant and hotel members receive unlimited free badges, and will need to select the “FRLA Member” option and include their member ID . If you need assistance with registration please contact customer service at PizzaSummitFloridaRestaurant@maritz.com.
Exhibits & Sponsorships: Paul Pedrow at (484) 823-9608, paul@therestaurantevents.com or Joe Carlino joe@therestaurantevents.com
Educational Breakout Sessions: Amy Riemer at 978-502-4895 or amy@riemercommunications.com
