Orlando, FL – The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show is pleased to honor Carol Dover, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, as the 2017 Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Beacon Award Honoree. The Beacon Award, which was created to recognize a woman leader who has truly served as a beacon to the industry through their leadership, contributions and inspiration, will be presented on Wednesday, October 11 at 2:00pm in the Center Stage Theater on the show floor.
Carol B. Dover has served as President/CEO of the more than 10,000 member Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) since July of 1995. Dover is a professional association manager, a lobbyist, a former government insider, and a Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality graduate with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
“The Foodservice Council for Women is dedicated to recognizing the talented women in this industry. Women like Carol Dover bring innovation and exceptional leadership to the field,” said Kathleen Wood, Founder, The Foodservice Council for Women. “We are proud to present Carol Dover the Beacon Award.”
As the FRLA’s President/CEO, Dover works to protect, educate, and promote the diverse interests of Florida’s hospitality industry before the Florida Legislature and lobbying against unfair government regulation. The industry represents a $108.8 billion industry, $11.3 billion in local and state tax revenue, and nearly 1.4 million employees, making it the state’s number one industry. Dover also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association, Council of State Restaurant Associations, International Society of Hotel Association Executives, VISIT FLORIDA, Florida State University College of Business Board of Governors, Florida TaxWatch and the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.
“The Beacon Award presentation is an important part of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of our colleagues is our opportunity to promote diversity and ingenuity in the industry,” says Tom Loughran, Event Director. “Carol’s efforts to advocate for the hospitality and tourism industries in Florida are unmatched and deliver far-reaching benefits to restaurant and lodging owners and operators across the state. We wholeheartedly agree with the Foodservice Council for Women’s nomination — there was no better leader to honor this year.”
In addition to the Beacon Award, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show will offer dozens of special events, world class culinary competitions, 30 free education sessions which are part of the Ferdinand Foodservice Forum and over 450 exhibiting companies offering the news products and services as well as the Food Trend Experience; Beer, Wine & Spirits Pavilion; Rapid Fire Challenge, ACF Culinary Arts Competitions, and much more. For additional information about the Show, visit flrestaurantandlodgingshow.com.