At Attorney General Bondi’s Request, Hotline Established for Frontier Customers

Frontier Communications acquired Verizon’s wireless properties in parts of Florida earlier this year. Since then, more than 700 consumers have contacted the Attorney General’s Office with complaints about internet, security, phone and television services. At the request of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Frontier Communications Corporation is now committed to improving communications and customer services in Florida.

If you are a Frontier customer experiencing problems, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling (866) 9NO-SCAM.

Attorney General Bondi met with Frontier Executives last week and now the company has agreed to several changes to improve services. Frontier executives agreed to the following:

Frontier Communications will immediately prioritize addressing complaints regarding seniors and medically disadvantaged individuals;
A new Florida-based customer service number, (888) 457-4110, has been established that will be answered by live representatives from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The company also has set up a Chat Live platform for those able to go online;
Frontier has instituted a “SWAT Team” to coordinate the rapid response to customer escalations and service outages; and
Every customer who reported any out of service issue will be given a credit. The credit will be reflected on the customer’s bill no later than the end of June with no contact necessary with the company to receive this credit.

In a letter sent by Attorney General Bondi to Frontier’s CEO, the Attorney General outlined the serious service disruptions being reported to her office by Frontier customers. Customers complained of lost access to essential 911 services due to no phone service, lost internet service, extended waiting periods on customer service lines, missed service appointments, and no automatic billing credits for customers who lost service. To view the letter, click here.

At the meeting, Frontier provided the Attorney General with a written response to her letter addressing many of these issues. To view Frontier’s response, click here.

FRLA Offers Interactive and Innovative Training Program for Local Businesses

(Tallahassee, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), in partnership with Charthouse Learning, is proud to offer an innovative training program to businesses across the state. The interactive event, titled “A Fish! Experience,” which was inspired by Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market, is designed to improve teamwork, customer service, employee engagement, leadership and retention. The program, built on the “FISH! Philosophy,” is scheduled to take place in Fort Myers and Sarasota on Tuesday, May 10. The following day, Wednesday, May 11, it will be offered in St. Petersburg. The final opportunity to participate will be in Orlando on Thursday, May 12.

Guest speaker Deena Ebbert will inspire business owners and employees to start their own attitude epidemic. Insightful, with a knack for finding fun and delight in the world around us, Ebbert has a passion for performance, as a former professional opera singer and longtime member of corporate America, where she led many top-performing teams. She understands how to motivate teams through compassion and trust. Ebbert invites participants to begin seeing their jobs as a tool to make their lives complete, and The FISH! Philosophy as a way to build a common language for success.

Media is invited to attend. Event details are as follows:

WHAT:
FRLA Presents “A FISH! Experience”

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 10
8:00 – 11:30 AM Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center
1:30 – 4:30 PM Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Wednesday, May 11
8:00 – 11:30 AM St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater

Thursday, May 12
8:30 – 11:00 AM The Ritz-Carlton Orlando

COST:
$40 for FRLA members
$45 for non-members

For registration and additional information, please visit the following links for the events in Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Orlando or contact FRLA Regional Director, Dannette Lynch at 727-642-3404. Media is asked to contact FRLA Communications Director, Elizabeth Ray at [email protected] or 850.224.2250 x255 for confirmation.

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $82 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy and more than 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, September 27-29, 2016 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Gainesville’s Eastside High School Wins Second Place at High Stakes National Culinary Arts and Restaurant Business Competition

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – High school students from Gainesville and Tampa, who are enrolled in the Florida ProStart program, tested their mettle in a sophisticated, real-world culinary and business management competition focused on the restaurant and foodservice sector. Held April 29-May 1 in Dallas, Texas, the National ProStart Invitational challenged student teams from secondary schools across the nation to create a three-course meal, while corresponding teams presented business proposals for an original restaurant concept.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation is thrilled to announce Gainesville’s Eastside High School placed second in the nationwide competition. The school’s management team developed a business proposal for opening and operating a restaurant, and were asked to solve the types of daily challenges faced by restaurant managers. The team was evaluated by an expert panel of industry judges. Tampa’s A.P. Leto High School participated in the culinary portion of the competition, showcasing their creative abilities through the preparation of an appetizer, entrée and dessert in 60 minutes.

“We are so proud of our students who are incredibly talented, passionate about hospitality and worked tirelessly all year,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “They are Florida’s all-stars and certainly proved they can compete on the national stage. We are glad to support these students, the future of our industry.”

Participating teams were as follows:

Eastside High School’s Management Team
Instructors: Billie DeNunzio and Pam Bedford
Students: Jayla Herring, Isaiah Smith, Erin Livingston, Kelsey Nimmons and Brandon McDonald

Leto High School’s Culinary Team
Instructor: Debra Hladky
Students: Angel Nieves, Juraima Pena, Alexandrea Vargas, Elissia LaPorte and Fernando Hernandez

In total, there are 238 schools who participate in the Florida ProStart program, a program crafted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). ProStart unites industry and secondary school classrooms to train students with the skills that help them achieve long-term and rewarding careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Research indicates that students and educators agree that ProStart is effective in teaching culinary skills as well as restaurant management theory and practice, including critical employability skills such as teamwork, communication and professional behavior. 70 percent of students enrolled in ProStart programs indicate they plan to pursue post-secondary education.

For more information on the National ProStart Invitational, visit http://www.nraef.org/ProStart/Invitational. For more information on Florida’s ProStart program please click here.

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Nashville’s Top Songwriters to Perform in South Walton to Raise Money for Children’s Charities

(Miramar Beach, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to highlight nationally renowned songwriters at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. As a founding partner, FRLA is thrilled to participate in the fourth annual charity event scheduled for Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 1 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. During the four days of lively tastings, seminars, winemaker dinners and musical performances, the festival will showcase more than 800 wines. The FRLA will sponsor the songwriters in conjunction with BMI, a leader in music rights management, as part of its Great Florida Events program which is designed to boost local tourism across the state.

“A combination of fantastic tunes and tastes, this must-attend event showcases Florida hospitality at its finest,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This year’s set list of songwriters features industry all-stars and we are proud to partner with them to reel in more visitors who can help us raise money for children in Northwest Florida.”

Last year, 4,000 wine and food lovers participated in the event, and contributed to raising more than $2.3 million for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) at an auction held during the festival. Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to DCWAF, which has affected the lives of over 60,000 youth, including those afflicted by health issues and abuse.

Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, the songwriters will perform and tell stories about their biggest hits written for the stars of the music business, including Jake Owen, George Strait, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Tim McGraw and many others. The featured songwriters include nationally renowned BMI artists: Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman, Aaron Barker, Brent Cobb, Jon Mabe, Kendell Marvel, Billy Montana and Matt Warren. The songs written by the songwriters include “Baby Blue” made popular by George Strait, “The Climb” written for Miley Cyrus and Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory” to name a few.

Please go to www.sowalwine.com for the festival schedule and a full list of songwriters who will be performing.

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About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend of April. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars and live entertainment. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information, including a list of attending winemakers and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.

Broward County Hospitality Students and Teachers to be Honored at Gala Alongside Tourism Czar, Nicki Grossman

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Broward Chapter is proud to celebrate schools, instructors and students at its 7th Annual Excellence in Education Gala scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2016. The event, designed to support local hospitality education in area high schools, is slated to take place at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale. The night’s guest of honor is Broward’s tourism czar and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nicki Grossman, who is retiring after 21 years and is credited with making significant advancements in the local tourism industry. In addition, 101.5 FM’s Julie Guy will act as master of ceremonies and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson will provide the night’s keynote speech, “Fired Up for the Future.”

“Broward County is filled with all-star students and instructors who work tirelessly to shape the future of Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and pleased that our wonderful community leaders are showcasing their support for hospitality education.”

FRLA’s Educational Foundation is the only organization in Florida that offers the ProStart program and the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP). These programs were developed to increase the quality and employability of today’s high school graduates by providing them with training related to important job skills as well as opportunities for careers and higher education. FRLA’s Broward Chapter is proud to support these efforts at the local level.

Media is invited to attend. Event details are as follows:

WHAT:
FRLA Broward Chapter’s 7th Annual Excellence in Education Gala

WHO:
Honoree: Nicki Grossman, Broward’s tourism czar and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
Keynote Speaker: Secretary Ken Lawson, Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Master of Ceremonies: Julie Guy, 101.5 FM Morning Host

WHEN:
Thursday, May 5, 2016
5:30 – 6:30 PM Reception
6:30 – 9:00 PM Dinner/Awards

WHERE:
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa
3030 Holiday Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

COST:
$125 Per Person
$40 for Instructors/Principals/Students

For registration and additional information, please visit: http://frla.org/event/excellence-in-education-gala/ or contact FRLA Regional Director, Anne Sallee at [email protected] or 954-253-0850. Media is asked to contact FRLA Communications Director, Elizabeth Ray at [email protected] or 850.224.2250 x255 for confirmation.

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Hospitality Leaders Share Industry Insights With Southwest Florida’s Independent Restaurateurs and Hoteliers

(Sarasota, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is thrilled to share industry insights with small business owners at its first-ever Independent Operators Workshop. The event, which is designed as an educational and entertaining session about best-practices, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch.The FREE half-day workshop features keynote speakers, Jim Knight and Kathleen Wood, who will provide solutions for business growth, tricks of the trade and new management skills. Hospitality industry leaders from the Ford’s Garage USA, Ocean’s 234, Gecko’s Hospitality, and Madison Social will also offer practical, real-life techniques to accelerate business.

“At the heart of our hospitality industry, are our independent owners and operators. They work hard to craft unique Florida experiences and ensure that guests are treated as part of the family. This event is our opportunity to share information and provide them with industry insights from experts in the field. It’s truly a must-attend event for any small business that is strategically planning their future,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Jim Knight and Kathleen Wood are well-respected and nationally-renowned leaders in hospitality. Knight cut his teeth in the training field, starting out as a restaurant staff-level employee for Olive Garden and Hard Rock Cafe. He is the author of “Culture that Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company’s Culture” and is a Managing Partner/Owner in PeopleForward, an internal business solutions consortium providing organizational expertise to the restaurant and hotel industry. Wood is the founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, LLC, an innovative growth strategy firm specializing in shifting leaders and businesses to new levels of success. Her “Bold Leadership that Matters” platform has been adopted by CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, non-profits, start-ups and turn-arounds.

Media is invited to attend. Event details are as follows:

WHAT:
FRLA’s Independent Operators Workshop

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016

WHERE:
Polo Grill & Bar
10670 Boardwalk Loop
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

THE LINE-UP:
8:45 – 9:45 AM Keynote: Kathleen Wood, “How to Compete & Win in Today’s Market”
10:00 – 10:45 AM Breakout Session #1: Tips for Effective Purchasing Panel
10:00 – 10:45 AM Breakout Session #2: The Social Engagement Sales Approach
11:00 – 11:45 AM Breakout Session #1: Power Panel: Successful Independents Sharing Best Practices
11:00 – 11:45 AM Breakout Session #2: “Obtaining Capital for Growing my Restaurant Chain: Where do I get the Capital?”
12:00 – 1:30 PM Keynote: Jim Knight, “Hiring & Retaining Great Employees”

COST:
Pre-Registration: Free
At The Door: $50
*Pre-Registration Open Until April 15

For registration and additional information, please visit: http://frla.org/event/independent-operators-workshop/. Media is asked to contact FRLA Communications Director, Elizabeth Ray at [email protected] or 850.224.2250 x255 for confirmation.

This event is sponsored by: The Zenith, Heartland, United Healthcare, Sysco, Coca-Cola, Florida Power & Light, First Watch, PeopleForward, VISIT FLORIDA, Gratuity Solutions, Sarasota Originals, Seabreeze Coffee & Tea, LoSalt, Atlas Insurance and Franchise Edge.

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Palm Beach Hospitality Students Partner With Professional Artists, Chefs and Musicians to Win Scholarship Funds at FRLA Event

(West Palm Beach, Fla.) The Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to raise scholarship funds for local high school students at its second annual educational fundrasier. The FRLA Education and Arts Together Showcase (E.A.T.S.), which pairs talented students with professional counterparts in their respective fields of study, is scheduled to take place at the West Palm Beach Marriott on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Proceeds from the event will benefit the FRLA Educational Foundation, which supports hospitality students, schools and teachers in Palm Beach County.

“We are thrilled that Palm Beach County community members care about the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and are willing to give students wonderful real-life experience,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This event raises the necessary funds to help local students pursue their education and ultimately, their careers. Plus, it’s slated to be a fantastic, fun-filled evening for all attendees.”

During the event, students will collaborate with local artists, chefs and musicians to prepare original artwork, a unique dinner and entertaining music led by the Palm Beach Symphony. Their art will be sold during a silent auction, alongside professional art pieces, hotel stays, and gift certificates to area restaurants, spas and businesses. Outstanding students will also be presented with scholarships and awards.

This event is open to the community, parents, students and the media. Event details are as follows:

WHAT:
FRLA Palm Beach Chapter’s Education and Arts Together Showcase (E.A.T.S.)

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
6:30– 9:00 PM

WHERE:
West Palm Beach Marriott
1001 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
*Media invited to attend.

COST:
$75: Adult Ticket Price
$25: Parent or School District Staff
$700: VIP table of 8
Registration Deadline April 13, 2016

For more information about the event please click here or contact Regional Director, Lois Croft, at [email protected]. For media RSVP, please contact Elizabeth Ray, FRLA Communications Director at 850.224.2250 x255 or by email at [email protected].

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FRLA Applauds Mayor Buddy Dyer & City Council for Recognizing Exceptional Women Leaders in Orlando

(Orlando, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) commends Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando City Council for recognizing exceptional women leaders. On March 28, 2016, Commissioner Regina Hill presented a proclaimation announcing March as “Women’s History Month” in Orlando to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions made by American women and to encourage all residents to learn more about the generations of women who have played such an important role in our history. Within the proclamation, women in the hospitality industry were specifically highlighted as business owners who provide career opportunities for every race, class and ethnic background and who help shape the lives of employees in a positive manner. To read the full proclamation, please click here.

“I’m proud that Orlando is a welcoming, inclusive City that values the contributions of all citizens. Women in the hospitality industry are a positive force in our community, providing career opportunities for women from all walks of life. Their leadership and guidance helps strengthen our economy and the City of Orlando is proud to recognize their impact,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“We are grateful that Mayor Dyer and the City Commission appreciate the accomplishments of the incredible women who help sculpt the hospitality industry in Orlando and who positively impact our economy and families across the state,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are excited to continue celebrating Women’s History Month and applaud the City of Orlando for encouraging the community to reflect on the great leaders who created a legacy in the City Beautiful.”

FRLA participated in the announcement through its Engage Orlando program, which is a working group of informed, active and motivated hospitality community members that serve as industry ambassadors with policy makers, opinion leaders, community organizations and the general public. The goal is to continue building a reliable team of 100 leaders that can promote the positive aspects of the hospitality sector and position our industry as a valuable community partner.

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Grammy Award Winning Songwriter to Perform at FRLA Music Licensing Event in Tampa

(Tampa, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to host grammy award winning songwriter, Frank Myers, at the “Essentials of Music Licensing” scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2016. Presented by FRLA’s Hillsborough and Pinellas Chapters at the Chart House in Tampa, the event is designed as an expert educational and entertaining session on how to use music licensing to protect local businesses. The focus will be on when a restaurant or venue needs a public performance license and how copyright licensing fees are determined. The special performance is presented by BMI, a global leader in music rights management.

At the event, Myers will play his biggest hits and share the stories behind the songs he wrote, including: John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear,” Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbitt’s “You and I,” and Lonestar’s “I’m Already There.” Myers moved to Nashville in 1981 to pursue a career in music as a band leader, road manager and lead guitarist for Eddy Raven. With more than 50 songs recorded by country and pop artists, he has 12 number one hits and 20 top tens.

Media is invited to attend this event, details are as follows:

WHAT:
Essentials of Music Licensing Featuring Grammy Award Winner, Frank Myers

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
2:00-4:00 PM

WHERE:
Chart House
The Skyline Room
7616 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway
Tampa, FL 33607

COST:
$10 per person

For more information about the event please click here or contact FRLA Director of Membership, Dannette Lynch, at [email protected]. For media RSVP, please contact Elizabeth Ray, FRLA Communications Director at 850.224.2250 x255 or by email at [email protected].

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$1.4 Million in Scholarships Awarded to Florida High School Students Participating in ProStart Culinary Team Competition

(Orlando, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) announced the winners of the 16th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competition which was held Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

A total of 49 schools participated in the competition with 13 schools winning top awards throughout the day’s events. More than $1.4 million in scholarships was distributed to the winning schools. All winners and participants are a part of Florida’s ProStart program which is a career technical education program where high school students learn from an industry-derived curriculum that teaches culinary techniques and restaurant management skills. More than 20,000 students from across the state are enrolled in the program. The four main event competitions included: the Cracker Barrel Management Competition, the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition, the Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition, and the Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition.

Gainesville’s Eastside High School won first place in the overall competition. East Ridge High School in Clermont took home second place in the overall competition, with J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs placing third. For photos of the event, please click here.

“These students absolutely represent the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and we are proud to help support their education by awarding more than $1 million in scholarships. We are passionate about investing in the lives of these student all-stars and are thrilled we get to watch them craft their incredible talents and build successful careers,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Overall Competition Winners

First Place	Eastside High School	Instructor: Billie DeNunzio
Second Place	East Ridge High School	Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts
Third Place	J.P. Taravella High School	Instructor: Scott Goodman
Fourth Place	Leto High School	Instructor: Debra Hladky
Fifth Place	Seabreeze High School	Instructor: Samantha Crouch

Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their creative abilities during the competition through the preparation of a meal consisting of: starter (such as soup, salad or appetizer), protein (such as meat, fish or fowl), starch, vegetable, and dessert.

First Place	Leto High School	Instructor: Debra Hladky
Second Place	Eastside High School	Instructor: Billie DeNunzio and Pam Bedford
Third Place	East Ridge High School	Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts
Fourth Place	J.P. Taravella High School	Instructor: Scott Goodman
Fifth Place	Steinbrenner High School	Instructors: Philip Meola and David Walesheck

Cracker Barrel Management Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. The business proposal consisted of a defined restaurant concept, supporting menu, and supporting marketing plan. Teams prepared a comprehensive written proposal, verbal presentation and visual display.

First Place	Eastside High School	Instructor: Billie DeNunzio and Pam Bedford
Second Place	Deland High School	Instructor: Renee Scarborough
Third Place	East Ridge High School	Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts
Fourth Place	Mainland High School	Instructors: Jason Kester and Troy Logan
Fifth Place	Northeast High School	Instructors: John Beck and Curtis Serata

Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their creative ability during the competition through the preparation of an edible centerpiece consisting of fruits and vegetables. Contestants explained nutritional information, product availability, and preparation techniques.

First Place	Tarpon Springs High School	Instructor: Cathleen Ryan, Vincenzo Pesce and Tony DeVincenzo
Second Place	Eastside High School	Instructor: Billie DeNunzio and Pam Bedford
Third Place	Mainland High School	Instructors: Jason Kester and Troy Logan
Fourth Place	Seabreeze High School	Instructor: Samantha Crouch
Fifth Place	Northeast High School	Instructor: John Beck and Curtis Serata

Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their ability to duplicate a table setting while racing against the clock.

First Place	J.P. Taravella High School	Instructor: Scott Goodman
Second Place	Seabreeze High School	Instructor: Samantha Crouch
Third Place	East Ridge High School	Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts
Fourth Place	Bartow High School	Instructor: Rosalind Chan
Fifth Place	Stoneman Douglas High School	Instructor: Ashley Kurth

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About FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF)
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association created the Educational Foundation in 1994. FRLAEF administers and executes two high school curriculums ‐ the National Restaurants Association’s (NRA) ProStart and the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Lodging Management Program – in more than 240 Florida high schools and provides resources to nearly 25,000 students in these culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Scholarships, Teacher Training Institutes, Industry Certifications, Equipment Mini‐Grants and Industry Internships are just a few of the products and services the FRLAEF provides to these classrooms. For more information, please go to http://frla.org/educational-foundation/.