Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Ray, ERay@FRLA.org, 850.224.2250 x255
Christina Johnson, Christina@On3PR.com, 850.391.5040

Chef Emeril Lagasse Tours Downtown Restaurants in the Sunshine State On Latest Episode of Emeril’s Florida

  -Cooking Channel Highlights Florida Hotspots in Miami, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach –

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, “Out on the Town,” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to downtown area hotspots in Miami, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach.

“As a part of Florida’s number one hospitality industry, restaurants are closely tied to travel and tourism in our state,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “As Emeril takes viewers on his journey to stunning Florida restaurants serving inventive and unique cuisine, we trust that our more than 38,000 eating and drinking establishments will continue to fuel the appeal of the Sunshine State to visitors.”

Emeril’s first stop in the “Out on the Town” episode is Meat Market, a glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse located in Miami’s South Beach. The restaurant offers high-quality cuts of meat, delectable seafood, and fresh produce all under the supervision of Executive Chef Sean Brasel, known for his use of local ingredients. Meat Market also features a crudo bar that serves fresh tiraditos in addition to a traditional bar celebrated for its handcrafted cocktails. Emeril talks with Chef Brasel about the restaurant and samples some of his favorite entrees including Foie Gras Torchon, Asian BBQ Lamb Ribs, and Buffalo Tenderloin Steak with Chili Espresso Rub.

Next, Emeril travels to downtown St. Petersburg for a stop at The Birchwood Inn. The restaurant at The Birchwood is Birch & Vine, an award winning farm-to-table concept on the bottom floor of the 1924 building, with The Canopy Rooftop Lounge resting in the heart of St. Petersburg’s waterfront, complete with private cabanas, fire pits, living room seating and high top tables. A St. Petersburg native, Executive Chef Jason Cline heads up the culinary program and has created a globally inspired menu using locally grown organic ingredients. Chef Cline sits down with Emeril to taste some of the establishment’s signature dishes.

Hullabaloo, a unique restaurant that calls itself an “Italian Gastropub,” is Emeril’s third stop this episode. Hullabaloo is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach in the center of a busy dining and entertainment district.  The establishment serves innovative, farm-to-table cuisine that pairs perfectly with their signature craft cocktails and extensive beer and wine selections featuring unique vineyards and microbreweries. Hullabaloo boasts an urban setting with the sounds of 1940’s music during the evening, and Indie Rock late at night. Emeril meets with Executive Chef and General Manager Fritz Cassel to discuss his restaurant concept and try a few of his popular menu items including Braised Pork Shoulder with a Porcini Mushroom Risotto and Thin Crust Pizza with Spec Ham, Gouda Cream Sauce, Goat Cheese and Arugula.

The show reruns on Monday, February 9 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m. EST.  Please check local listings.

Emeril’s Florida Season Three is a 13-episode series highlighting the Sunshine State through the eyes of Emeril on-location with a focus on food, cooking, events and activities around the state. Throughout the third season, Emeril will be visiting Florida’s top restaurants and resorts. He will also prepare some of his favorite recipes which often will feature some of the best seafood Florida has to offer. The FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA sponsor the series. For additional information on the series, including links to previous episodes, please go to the Cooking Channel website here. For a preview of Sunday’s episode, click here.

Editor’s Note:
For photo and video requests of Emeril Lagasse with local chefs, and recipes of featured dishes, please contact Elizabeth Ray at ERay@FRLA.org or 850.224.2250 x255, or Christina Johnson at Christina@On3PR.com or 850.391.5040.

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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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

FRLA’s Broward Chapter Raises Funds to Support Hospitality Education for Local High School Students

– Thousands of Dollars in Scholarships, Textbooks Awarded –

(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) – The Broward Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to support local high school students by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to further their hospitality education. In Broward County, there are 22 high schools with more than 6,500 students enrolled in school-to-career training programs provided by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation (FRLAEF).

“These students are the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and we feel it’s important to extend our efforts to ensure they receive opportunities to build the foundation for fantastic careers,” said Eduardo Fernandez, the President of the Broward Chapter and General Manager of the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale. “In 2015, we plan to continue encouraging students in our community to pursue their dreams and help give them the ability to do so.”

In 2014, FRLA’s Broward Chapter hosted its Excellence in Education Gala, awarding 18 students with scholarships and recognizing Vicky Edgcomb as Teacher of the Year. As an instructor at South Broward High School, Edgcomb leads students through industry-derived curriculum, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP), which prepares students for roles in the hotel industry and beyond. Later in the year, Edgcomb identified a need for more student textbooks and FRLA’s Broward Chapter stepped up to provide the necessary materials for the program to continue. Additionally, the Broward Chapter hosted an internship fair for students across the county which gave them the opportunity to make connections with a dozen employers who help lead the industry. In total, the local chapter raised $35,000 for hospitality education.

“I love the hospitality field because it is such a growth area in this part of the country and it is the perfect field for students who want an exciting career that knows no boundaries,” said Edgcomb. “I would like to thank the FRLA for providing resources, phenomenal business partners and field trip opportunities for the students.  You will never know how important this is to their growth overall.”

This year, FRLA’s Broward Chapter will host its 6th Annual Excellence in Education Gala on Wednesday, April 8th, at the historic Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida, to once again honor teachers, schools and award scholarships to promising students pursuing hospitality careers.  The keynote speaker will be Broward Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie.  The local chapter recently announced scholarship opportunities for students graduating in 2015, who are eligible to receive awards at the event. For more information about available scholarships, please contact Broward Chapter Director, Anne Sallee at asallee@frla.org or FRLAEF Director Laura Rumer at lrumer@frla.org.

To learn more about FRLA’s Broward Chapter, please visit http://frla.org/chapters/broward/welcome.

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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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

FRLA Congratulates National Restaurant Association’s Dawn Sweeney,
Named One of America’s “Most Powerful People in Food”

(Tallahassee, FL) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is thrilled to congratulate the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) President and CEO Dawn Sweeney, who was named one of 2015’s “Most Powerful People in Food” by The Daily Meal. This marks the third year in a row Sweeney has earned a top spot on the list.

“Dawn is one of the restaurant industry’s greatest advocates, an innovative leader who works tirelessly to ensure more than one million establishments and industry employees across the nation are well represented,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are proud to work closely with Dawn to help protect and promote the industry. There is no doubt this recognition is well-deserved.”

The Daily Meal recognized Sweeney’s leadership in directing NRA’s key initiatives such as its Kids LiveWell nationwide children’s nutrition program; Conserve, the Association’s sustainability initiative; and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart program which runs in nearly 2,000 high schools across the country and provides culinary scholarships to thousands of future restaurant and foodservice leaders.

The list of the top 50 recipients is compiled by The Daily Meal editors with the criterion that these individuals substantially impact the quality and variety of the American diet or the way Americans think about it. Included in this year’s list are heads of national food processing and distribution companies and retail food outlets, agribusiness moguls, tech gurus and recognized restaurateurs.

As President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Sweeney leads the primary business association for the restaurant industry. The National Restaurant Association represents multiple foodservice concepts, including quick service, fast casual, managed foodservice, casual and fine dining – along with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors – for an industry of one million restaurant and foodservice outlets and 14 million employees.

Sweeney also serves as the CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to enhancing the industry’s service to the public. The Foundation’s major goal is to prepare students for rewarding careers in restaurant management and the culinary arts.

###

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

 Tallahassee Restaurants to Offer Fantastic Food at Mouth-Watering Prices During Capital Cuisine Restaurant Week May 14-26
-Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Proud Partner of 4^th Annual Event-

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is delighted to partner with Visit Tallahassee and VISIT FLORIDA for the fourth annual Capital Cuisine Restaurant Week, May 14 – 26, 2015. During the 13-day event, fresh seafood, farm-to-table creations, fusion fare and tasty tapas will be showcased on multi-course prix fixe menus starting at $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner at many of the area’s local restaurants. In addition to the mouth-watering restaurant specials, Tallahassee will be the backdrop to musical performances held throughout the Week.

“Capital Cuisine Restaurant Week is a great way for Tallahassee restaurants to show off what this great city has to offer to the palettes of residents and visitors alike,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Tallahassee’s culinary offerings continue to expand, and this event provides participants unique and diverse dining experiences in which to showcase our member restaurants.”

Last year, more than two dozen establishments participated in the event, and FRLA sponsored three concerts attended by hundreds of Tallahasseans. This year promises even more participation of both restaurateurs and residents who have been wanting to try local fare.

FRLA urges restaurant owners and chefs to join this unique experience. To learn how you can get involved, please contact FRLA’s Northwest Florida Regional Director Ray Green at 850-545-5901 or by e-mail at RGreen@FRLA.org. You may also contact Visit Tallahassee’s Marketing Communications Director Lauren Shoaf Pace at 850-606-2322 or by e-mail at Lauren.Pace@VisitTallahassee.com.

For additional information such as participating restaurants and their menus, visit http://www.visittallahassee.com/capital-cuisine-restaurant-week-concert-series.

# # #

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

Hospitality Industry Leader to Share Insights on How Restaurants and Hotels Can Appeal to Millennials
– Former Miller’s Ale House Executive VP to Present at Local Chapter Event on April 29^th –

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to host hospitality industry consultant, Dave Reid, at its upcoming Pinellas and Hillsborough Chapter meeting. The event is scheduled to take place at the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Reid, a 30-year restaurant and hotel industry veteran, is slated to share a presentation titled “How Restaurants and Hotels Can Maintain an Increasing Awareness of the Largest Generation in the Country… Millennials!”

“Dave Reid is an incredibly gifted speaker, with industry insights that are invaluable to our friends in the hospitality business,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “As millennials continue to change the marketplace, it is crucial that owners and operators in the local community understand how to reach them, and Dave knows from first-hand experience what works. This is an event you won’t want to miss.”

Dave Reid is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for Miller’s Ale House Restaurants. He was with the company for more than 21 years, growing four restaurants to 70 restaurants in 10 states, with 300 managers and more than 6,000 employees. Prior to that role, he worked with T.G.I Friday’s, Pier 66 Hotel and Limelight Atlanta. Reid also served as FRLA’s former Chairman of the Board in 2011, and has played a vital role on the association’s Board of Directors for more than 15 years.

WHAT:
FRLA Pinellas and Hillsborough Chapter Meeting

SPEAKER:
Dave Reid, Former Executive VP of Operations, Miller’s Ale House
“How Restaurants and Hotels Can Maintain an Increasing Awareness of the Largest Generation in the Country… Millennials!”

WHEN:     
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Registration and Networking
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Luncheon and Presentation
*Media is Invited to Attend

WHERE:    
St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716

COST:     
$23 Per Person (members and non-members)

To register for the event, please email dannette@frla.org or click here to see the event flyer. Please RSVP by Monday, April 27^th.

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

FRLA Strengthens Local Efforts By Launching Greater Pensacola Chapter and Welcoming New Area Director
– Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for April 22^nd at McGuire’s Irish Pub –

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is strengthening its efforts in the panhandle with the launch of a Greater Pensacola Chapter. The kickoff meeting for the new chapter is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola. FRLA is proud to announce John Bloodworth will lead the team. As the Chapter Director, Bloodworth will help support members, mobilize operations and bolster ongoing communications between FRLA headquarters and local offices. He will join FRLA’s four current regional directors, a regional manager and two other chapter directors who represent more than 20 chapters across the state.

“We understand that many of the battles that impact a business’s bottom line are hard fought at the local level and we are proud to help represent our members located in the Greater Pensacola area,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “This community is filled with some of the best in the hospitality industry and with John’s local expertise, we are excited for what’s to come.”

Bloodworth joins FRLA with more than twenty years of successful experience in sales and account management. He most recently worked as the Panhandle and North Florida Sales Executive for Coca-Cola North America, where he worked with small to medium-sized restaurant chains in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Destin and the Pensacola area. Rooted in the community, Bloodworth teaches Business Communication, Public Speaking and Mass Communication at the University of West Florida. He holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Georgia State University.

During the meeting, FRLA President/CEO Carol Dover and former FRLA Chairman Bruce Craul are scheduled to share industry insights and provide a legislative update. The event is free and open to FRLA chapter members and non-members. Media is invited to attend.

WHAT:
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Greater Pensacola Kickoff Chapter Meeting

SPEAKERS:
FRLA President and CEO, Carol Dover
Legendary Hospitality COO and former FRLA Chairman, Bruce Craul

WHEN:     
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
*Media is Invited to Attend

WHERE:    
McGuire’s Irish Pub
600 E. Gregory Street
Pensacola, FL
To register for the event, please email Susana@frla.org or click here to see the event flyer.

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Celebrates 41 Years of the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo
– Attendance Expected to Soar at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport April 21-26, 2015 –

(Lakeland, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to be a presenting sponsor with VISIT FLORIDA at the 41^st Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo held on Tuesday, April 21 through Sunday, April 26 at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. The six-day event is the second largest airshow in the world, Florida’s largest convention, and includes aircraft demonstrations, exhibits, aviation workshops, and education forums. More than 200,000 guests, exhibitors, instructors, pilots, volunteers and students from 80 countries are expected to attend.

“SUN n’ FUN inspires, educates, entertains, and encourages aircraft enthusiasts from all over the world to visit the Sunshine State,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “FRLA is proud to once again be a part of this family-friendly fly-in and expo and we welcome everyone to attend. Come see first-hand the wonderful hospitality that our state has to offer.”

FRLA is committed to supporting events that promote Florida’s hospitality industry. Over the past three years, the association has proudly sponsored the SUN n’ FUN International Fly-In and Expo which does just that. In 2013, with national budget concerns looming, FRLA helped financially underpin this event so that the state and local economy would continue to benefit from the increased tourism. Last year the event attracted aviation lovers from all 50 states, two U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and an estimated 77 foreign countries. All proceeds were allocated to supporting aviation-based STEM education programs offered throughout the year at the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Center for Excellence.

Throughout the week, afternoon and evening airshows will showcase aerobatics and precision flying from the Breitling Jet Team, USAF Thunderbirds, Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, the EAA Warbirds of America and many other performers. The event is designed to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.

For more details about the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo, please visit, www.SUN-n-FUN.org/FlyIn.aspx.

# # #

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org
 More than 150 Songwriters Head to Southernmost Point for 20^th Annual Festival May 6-10, 2015
-Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Sponsored Event to Benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital-

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to highlight a diverse line up of more than 150 artists performing in more than 40 live shows at the Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, a leader in music rights management. As a sponsor of the 20^th annual event, FRLA is thrilled to bring five days and nights of well-crafted songwriting to the idyllic island of Key West from Wednesday, May 6 through Sunday, May 10 in conjunction with VISIT FLORIDA.

“We are honored to sponsor the Key West Songwriters Festival as it celebrates its 20^th year showcasing songwriters and headlining acts in a one-of-a-kind destination,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This event gives festival-goers the chance to hear the stories behind chart-topping hits and experience the restaurants, bars and hotels in Florida’s southernmost paradise.”

A majority of the shows during the festival are free including “in-the-round” sessions with writers, the kick-off party presented by SunTrust Bank at Ocean Key Sunset Pier, and a concert in the heart of Duval Street featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Chris Young. Additionally this year, the impressive list of artists performing at some of the island’s most popular beaches, boats, bars, resorts and historic theatres consists of Rhett Akins, Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Jeffrey Steele, Guthrie Trapp and The Mule Kickers, Aaron Watson, and many more.

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a pediatric treatment and research facility leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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

 # # #

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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. 

About the Key West Songwriters Festival
The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. The event’s 1995 debut was small but memorable, featuring Mickey Newbury and Shel Silverstein. BMI stepped in as a partner and sponsor in 1996 and has helped it grow into both a tourist attraction and favorite of island locals. The festival revolves around five days and nights of free shows staged at an array of the island’s most popular drinking holes and hot spots, where live music introduces crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs. Diverse lineups featuring more than 100 top songwriters deliver rare, “Key West-only” moments. More info available at www.KeyWestSongwritersFestival.com.

About BMI
Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 8.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music Inc.’s Facebook page.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org
Nashville’s Top Songwriters to Help Raise Money for Children’s Charities at South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
-Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Proudly Sponsors 3^rdAnnual Event-

(Miramar Beach, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) 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 third annual charity event scheduled for Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 26 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 flavors. The FRLA will sponsor the songwriters as a continuation of the Endless Summer Music Series in conjunction with BMI, a leader in music rights management representing more than 8.5 million works of more than 65,000 copyright owners.

“These Nashville songwriters help to create the ideal environment in which to sip and savor some of the world’s finest food and wines in an exceptional beach location while supporting local children in need,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to continue our participation in this event, and encourage both residents and visitors alike to join us as we enjoy an incredible destination that helps make our state a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

Last year, 4,000 wine and food lovers participated in the event, and raised more than $2.1 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 Tim McGraw, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and many others.  The featured songwriters include nationally renowned BMI artists: Sherrié Austin, Aaron Barker, Steve Bogard, Brent Cobb, Jon Mabe, Kendell Marvel, Will Rambeaux and Tyler Reeve. The songs written by the songwriters include the current Love & Theft single, “Whiskey On My Breath,” “Baby Blue” made popular by George Strait, “The Climb” written for Miley Cyrus and Faith Hill’s “Wild One” to name a few.

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

# # #

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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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. 

About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
This year’s annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will be held April 23-26, 2015 throughout the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. 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.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

FRLA’s Palm Beach Chapter Partnering with Established Artists, Chefs and Musicians to Raise Scholarship Funds for Local Hospitality High School Students
– Pottery & Palms Event Scheduled for May 7^th in Palm Beach Gardens –

(Palm Beach, FL) – The Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is thrilled to host its first ever Pottery & Palms event to raise scholarship funds for local hospitality high school students. The event, which will pair students with professionals in their respective fields of study, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School.

“This is an exciting new event that’s designed to showcase the incredibly talented students in Palm Beach, who are sure to be Florida’s future best and brightest in the business,” said FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover. “We are proud to help cultivate their skills by raising money to support their education and are especially grateful that the entire community is lending a hand in support. Aside from a great cause, attendees are sure to have a fantastic time at this event filled with remarkable food, artists and entertainment.”

At the event, students will have the opportunity to work alongside established artists, chefs and musicians. Art students will work to create art and pottery, which will be showcased and sold in a silent auction, alongside hotel stays, dining opportunities, and golf outings. ProStart and HTMP (Hospitality Tourism and Management Program) students will assist food and beverage professionals with the creation of appetizers, refreshments and service. The night’s entertainment will be provided by music students and Palm Beach Symphony musicians. A portion of the proceeds for the event will be used to support the Palm Beach Educational Foundation.

This event is open to the community, parents, students and the media. Students must wear business attire to attend.  Admission is a suggested $10 donation.

WHAT:
FRLA Palm Beach Chapter’s Pottery & Palms

WHEN:
Thursday, May 7, 2015
6:00 – 8:30 PM

WHERE:
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
4245 Holly Drive
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
*Media invited to attend.

COST:
$10 Suggested Donation
RSVP Required

Please click here to view the event registration information. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Palm Beach Chapter Director, Lois Croft at lcroft@frla.org or 561-410-0035.

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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 $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one 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, October 6-8, 2015 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.