TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) shared a statement from its President & CEO, Carol Dover, on the passing of Central Florida hotelier Harris Rosen, whose lifetime of dedication to Florida’s hospitality industry has had significant impacts in Central Florida and across the state.
Statement from Carol Dover:
“Today, Florida’s hospitality industry mourns the loss of one of its most iconic leaders, our dear friend Harris Rosen. FRLA’s longtime board member and our 2009 Hotelier of the Year, Harris transformed Central Florida’s hospitality landscape through his visionary leadership and unyielding commitment to excellence. He set the standard for innovation and guest service, turning his dream into an empire that became a cornerstone of Orlando’s tourism industry. His remarkable career is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our industry. Beyond his business acumen, Harris was a philanthropist at heart. His unwavering dedication to improving lives – from investing in education initiatives like the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management – to generously supporting health care and disaster relief efforts – exemplified the profound impact one individual can have on a community. Harris Rosen’s legacy will endure not only through the hotels that bear his name, but also through the countless lives he touched. On behalf of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege to know him. His contributions to Florida’s hospitality industry and his philanthropic spirit will never be forgotten, and we are so grateful to him for his lifetime of leadership and generosity.”
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry which represents nearly two million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
###