Today, representatives from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) announced the addition of three news staff members in the Membership department. These new employees bring a wealth of expertise to the department and will ensure the continued growth of the division. Keri Burns will serve as Regional Director for the FRLA Central Florida Chapter, Ann Farran will serve as Administrative Assistant and Ashley Connell will be Director of Membership Marketing.
“I could not be more pleased with the new talent we are adding to the Membership team at FRLA,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA. “Their respective backgrounds and diverse experience will undoubtedly allow us to continue to serve our 10,000 members while simultaneously growing our chapters and events statewide.”
Burns will be based in Orlando and oversee all activities for the Central Florida Chapter. Before joining the FRLA team, she served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Ballantine Management Group (BMG) and the Entertainment Events Coordinator at Universal Studios Orlando. In addition to events experience, Burns also brings business development skills to the Association, having helped bring in new business for EDLEN Electrical Exhibition Services as well as BMG.
Farran most recently worked as a Marketing and Membership Industry Relations Coordinator at VISIT FLORIDA. In addition to working with VISIT FLORIDA partners across the state, Farran worked to capture and maintain data and provided customer service. As the Director of Marketing and Membership at Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, oversaw the organization’s membership and retention efforts and collaborated with Executive Director to save statewide programs.
Connell previously worked as an Assistant Media Buyer/Planner at VISIT FLORIDA, managing strategic digital and traditional ad buys to attract visitors to the Sunshine State. She brings extensive experience with contract negotiation and management to FRLA as a direct result of her work at VISIT FLORIDA. Prior to her work at VISIT FLORIDA, Connell served as an Account Executive at iHeart Media, developing relationships in order to effectively advise advertising clients.
[Washington, D.C.] On May 9 – 11, Florida ProStart teams competed in the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) 18th Annual National ProStart Invitational held in Washington, D.C. This three-day event sees high school culinary students compete in both culinary arts and restaurant management competitions against students from across the United States. In the Culinary Competition, Leto High School from Tampa placed 5th. In the Restaurant Management Competition, East Ridge High School from Clermont placed 2nd.
“The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) is so proud of our Florida teams competing and placing in the National ProStart Competition,” says Laura Rumer, the Director of FRLAEF. “Throughout the school year, these students train and practice their respective crafts weekly. Getting the chance to compete and show off their skills on a National level is huge for them. All of the Florida teams were outstanding, and their work here is indicative of the bright future ahead for our state’s restaurant industry.”
For more information about Florida ProStart or FRLA’s Educational Foundation, contact Director Laura Rumer at LRumer@frla.org. For more information about the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, visit their website here.
“Since 2006, Geoff has guided FRLA’s statewide food safety training activity and has served in numerous state and national industry stakeholder groups,” remarks FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover. “He is the perfect representative for this council, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with Commissioner Fried as we work to ensure food safety and defense for the state of Florida.”
Starting with 15 years in food and beverage operations, Luebkemann worked for local independents and opened national full-service restaurants across the southeast. In the public sector, Luebkemann served as Director of DBPR’s Division of Hotels & Restaurants, the statewide food and lodging regulator. While there, he oversaw eight offices responsible for more than 85,000 licensees and hundreds of thousands of sanitation and safety inspections annually.
As created by section 5000.033, Florida Statutes, the Florida Food Safety and Food Defense Council serves as a forum for presenting, investigating and evaluating issues of current importance to the assurance of a safe and secure food supply for the citizens of Florida.
The Broward Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is hosting their 10th Annual Excellence in Education Gala Thursday, May 23, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. The event celebrates and awards Broward high schools with culinary programs, and the teachers who oversee these programs. The evening will also honor Jack Sieler, former Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, with the 2019 Industry Ambassador Award.
This Gala benefits the FRLA Education Fund, which provides scholarship opportunities, curriculums, textbooks, supplies and support to local high school students in the ProStart Culinary Program and the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (HTMP). A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit Broward County’s public high schools and approximately 7,000 Broward students who are pursuing careers in the hospitality industry.
Tickets for high school staff cost $49, and individual tickets cost $139. Both ticket options are still available and can be purchased here.
For more information, contact FRLA Broward Chapter Director, Rozeta Mahboubi at 954-270-5814 or mahboudi@frla.org.
[Tallahassee, Fla] Today, representatives from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) announced the hire of Morgan Forsythe as IT Director and Ashley Gholston as Director of Industry Relations & Events.
“We are thrilled to welcome Morgan and Ashley to the FRLA family,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA. “Although they have very different skill sets, each is an expert in his or her respective area, and I have no doubt that they will bring incredible value to both our staff and our members.”
Forsythe graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Information Studies and is a Microsoft Systems Administrator. Most recently, he spent six years with Aegis Business Technologies as a Technical Services Consultant providing IT support, maintenance and planning services for private businesses and government agencies.
A graduate of North Florida Christian, Gholston studied hospitality, business and events at both the University of Central Florida and Florida State University. Since her return to Tallahassee after opening and managing restaurants for Darden, Gholston has specialized in events and fostering relationships between industry stakeholders.
[Tampa, Fla] The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce held their annual Tourism Luncheon on May 10, 2019, at the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort. At this luncheon, FRLA Regional Director Dannette Lynch was announced the 2019 Tourism Person of the Year.
Carol Dover, FRLA’s President and CEO remarks, “Everyone at FRLA is proud of Dannette and her accomplishments within the industry. She continues to make an impact in Pinellas County as Regional Director, and throughout the state of Florida.” Dover continues to say, “Dannette has dedicated 20+ years of experience and love into the Florida tourism and hospitality industry. She continues to be passionate and engaged in her work, as shows with this recognition.”
Dannette has worked with FRLA for 12 years, as the Southwest FL Regional Director and Director of Membership. Before joining FRLA’s staff, Dannette served as the Hospitality Education Director at the St. Petersburg and Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for eight years. It was here she helped develop hospitality and training programs throughout Pinellas County.
[Palm Beach, Fla] The Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) presented more than $25,000 in scholarships to local high school students last week. The money was raised at the FRLA Education and Agriculture Together Showcase (E.A.T.S.) event in January, and this is the fourth year FRLA Palm Beach has been able to award $25,000 to area culinary and hospitality students.
“FRLA is committed to the hospitality industry, and that includes supporting students who will one day run our restaurants and hotels,” said Jodi Cross, Regional Director for FRLA. “Our Palm Beach E.A.T.S. event was a wonderful success this year, and because of the community support, we were able to give away $25,000 to students. This will help pave the way for their success, and I could not be more hopeful about the future of hospitality in Palm Beach.”
The following students were honored at the May 1 FRLA board meeting and awarded scholarships:
Freednie Meliscar (Palm Beach Gardens High School) received a $2,500 FRLA scholarship and the $4,000 Brian Fink Memorial Scholarship. Meliscar will attend the University of Central Florida.
Jose Addly (Forest Hill High School) received a Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship and will attend Palm Beach State College.
Jose Medina (Forest Hill High School) received a Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship and will attend Palm Beach State College.
Abigail Gafter(Olympic Heights Community High School) received a Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship and will attend Florida Atlantic University.
Zachary Becerra (Forest Hill High School) received a Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship and will attend Palm Beach State College.
Yosimara Perez (Palm Beach Gardens High School) received a Culinary Scholarship and will attend Palm Beach State College.
Dawyshawn Poe (Inlet Grove High School) received a Culinary Scholarship and will attend Palm Beach State College.
Denasia Mann (Palm Beach Gardens High School) received a Culinary Scholarship and will attend Bethune Cookman University.
Jaime Cooney received a Continuation Scholarship for second-year support at the University of Central Florida.
To learn more about the Palm Beach Chapter of FRLA, click here or contact Jodi Cross at jcross@frla.org or 561-410-0035.
Palm Beach hospitality students receive scholarship
[Tallahassee, Fla] The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association has issued the following statement from Carol Dover, CEO/President, regarding VISIT FLORIDA:
“VISIT FLORIDA serves a critical function of promoting our state, and the Legislature must act now to fully fund and to extend Florida’s marketing arm beyond its Oct. 1 sunset date. VISIT FLORIDA effectively promotes the Sunshine State to people around the globe, and I have seen firsthand how their work is vital for smaller communities and those who experience disaster.
“In 2018 alone, VISIT FLORIDA provided marketing support to businesses and individual communities who were hit by red tide, by blue-green algae and by Hurricane Michael. They provided grants and advertising matches to assist in disaster recovery marketing, helping to let everyone know our beaches, waterways, parks and businesses were open and ready to host them for the vacation of a lifetime. Further, according to the Florida Department of Revenue, bed taxes in rural counties have grown nearly 50 percent faster than urban counties since 2012. This is thanks to VISIT FLORIDA, who is so much more than beautiful advertising. They work diligently to promote all of Florida and showcase all of what makes our state so great.
“Gov. DeSantis recommended $76 million in his budget and today encouraged the House to take up the Senate bill to ‘let people vote up or down.’ He stated he does not support allowing the organization to sunset. Thank you, Gov. DeSantis, for your commitment to VISIT FLORIDA.
“I urge state leadership to take action now and help protect our state’s economy and the millions of jobs created by those who visit the Sunshine State.”
[Tallahassee, Fla] On Wednesday, April 17, the Florida Senate unanimously approved a measure that will extend VISIT FLORIDA for eight years. SB 178, sponsored by Sen. Gruters, allows VISIT FLORIDA to continue to operate beyond its current sunset date of Oct. 1 of this year. In the current Senate appropriations bill, VISIT FLORIDA is slated to receive $50 million in funding. The House appropriations bill sets aside $19 million for VISIT FLORIDA through Oct. 1. Both of these allocations fall short of what Gov. DeSantis has recommended, which is $76 million.
FRLA believes VISIT FLORIDA serves a vital function by promoting our state. Read Carol Dover’s op-ed on why VISIT FLORIDA should be fully funded here.
For more than 22 years, VISIT FLORIDA has operated as the marketing organization for the Sunshine State, attracting visitors from around the United States as well as travelers from other countries. Their efforts have proven to effectively draw in crowds from around the world. Year after year, we continue to see record-setting numbers of tourists coming for our beautiful beaches, awesome attractions and endless opportunities for adventure. In fact, last year, thanks to the work of the VISIT FLORIDA team, we had yet another record of 126.1 million visitors. These guests have a tremendous impact on the state’s economy and provide jobs for 1.4 million Floridians who work in hospitality.
VISIT FLORIDA’s carefully executed marketing plan for the state works well, and we see that in the steady increase in annual visitors. But there is another critical function of VISIT FLORIDA that perhaps many don’t know. VISIT FLORIDA works with local businesses and tourism councils to help communities market themselves with a variety of grant programs ranging from advertising matches to disaster recovery marketing. Because of VISIT FLORIDA efforts and grants, bed taxes in rural counties have grown nearly 50 percent faster than those in urban counties since 2012. Our small towns and cities benefit greatly from VISIT FLORIDA marketing assistance, and we must continue to support them by fully funding VISIT FLORIDA. However, the organization will sunset on October 1 unless our legislators choose to act.
Gov. DeSantis recognizes the value of VISIT FLORIDA and has recommended it be funded at its current level of $76 million, and we wholeheartedly agree. This investment is a wise one as the Legislature’s Chief Economist Amy Baker has noted that VISIT FLORIDA returns $2.51 to taxpayers for each dollar spent. I strongly urge our Senate to support Florida’s economy and jobs by ensuring VISIT FLORIDA does not sunset.
News release from Carol B. Dover, CEO & President of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
