Newsroom
Press releases
Official FRLA announcements, member recognition, and association news.
FRLA Recognizes Volusia County Hospitality Professionals at Inaugural ROSE Awards
More than 150 hospitality professionals and industry leaders gathered at Daytona State College for the first Volusia Chapter ROSE Awards, honoring the people whose dedication and service shape Volusia County's hospitality industry.
Read moreFRLA Recognizes Northwest Florida Hospitality Professionals at Inaugural ROSE Awards
More than 150 hospitality professionals and industry leaders gathered at the Henderson Beach Resort for the first Northwest Florida Chapter ROSE Awards, honoring individuals whose dedication and service shape the region's hospitality industry.
Read moreFlorida Restaurant and Lodging Association Recognizes Northwest Florida Hospitality Professionals at Inaugural ROSE Awards Ceremony
Winners Pose After the Awards Ceremony at Henderson Beach Resort DESTIN – Last night, more than 150 hospitality professionals and industry leaders gathered at the Henderson Beach Resort for the…
Read moreFlorida Restaurant and Lodging Association Recognizes Volusia County Hospitality Professionals at Inaugural ROSE Awards
DAYTONA BEACH – Today, more than 150 hospitality professionals and industry leaders gathered at Daytona State College for the inaugural Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Volusia Chapter ROSE Awards ceremony…
Read moreLawmakers Join Restaurant and Food Leaders to Urge Congress on Work Permits for Long-Term Immigrants
Senators Durbin, Luján and Van Hollen and Rep. Vindman joined the James Beard Foundation, Independent Restaurant Coalition, American Business Immigration Coalition Action and other restaurant and food leaders to call on Congress to pick from the "menu" of work-permit solutions.
Read moreFRLA Statement on the Passing of Julie Hilton
FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover released a statement on the passing of tourism and hospitality champion Julie Hilton.
Read moreFRLA Statement on the Passing of Julie Hilton
Today, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover released the following statement in response to the devastating news of the passing of tourism and hospitality champion Julie Hilton following a long…
Read moreLawmakers Join Restaurant and Food Leaders as They Tell Congress: Pick from the “Menu” to Give Work Permits to Long-term Immigrants
Senators Durbin, Luján and Van Hollen and Rep. Vindman joined James Beard Foundation, Independent Restaurant Coalition, American Business Immigration Coalition Action and other restaurant, food and business leaders to spotlight…
Read moreNFL Sunday Ticket Available on DIRECTV for Business Through New Agreement with EverPass
DIRECTV for Business is named Preferred National Distributor for all EverPass products and services, including NFL Sunday Ticket for commercial establishments.
Read moreNFL SUNDAY TICKET AVAILABLE ON DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS THROUGH NEW AGREEMENT WITH EVERPASS
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS named Preferred National Distributor for all EverPass products and services, which includes NFL Sunday Ticket for commercial establishments NFL Sunday Ticket and other live sports content is…
Read moreGreater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce Expands Regional Presence with FRLA
The newly combined Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce signed a management agreement with FRLA, effective July 1, to serve the region's hospitality businesses.
Read moreGreater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce Expands Regional Presence with FRLA
The newly combined Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce recently signed a management agreement with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) effective July 1 to serve…
Read moreFlorida Hospitality Industry Urges Federal Action to Support Employers Following TPS Decision
FRLA joined the National Restaurant Association and 11 other state hospitality associations to share the impacts of terminating Temporary Protected Status and urge federal action to support employers.
Read morePress Release: Florida Hospitality Industry Urges Federal Action to Support Employers Following TPS Decision
TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association joined the National Restaurant Association and 11 other state hospitality associations to share impacts related to terminating the Temporary Protected…
Read moreDBPR Issues Industry Bulletin on Operations (Service) Charges
Industry alert: the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has issued a bulletin on operations (service) charges. Read the full bulletin on frla.org.
Read moreDBPR Issues Industry Bulletin on Operations (Service) Charges
DBPR Issues Industry Bulletin on Operations (Service) Charges
Read moreA Star Moment for Florida Dining: Michelin Recognizes Excellence Across the State
At FRLA, we are honored to support an industry driven by creativity, resilience, and world-class talent. The following Michelin-recognized restaurants exemplify the innovation and excellence that define Florida’s culinary scene…
Read moreNortheast Florida's Hospitality Stars Shine at 17th Annual ROSE Awards
Approximately 500 people gathered at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront for the sold-out 17th Annual ROSE Awards, honoring the stars of the Northeast Florida hospitality community.
Read moreNortheast Florida’s Hospitality Stars Shine at 17th Annual ROSE Awards
2026 Northeast Florida ROSE Award Nominees & Winners JACKSONVILLE – Last night, approximately 500 people from across the regional hospitality industry gathered at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront for…
Read moreFRLA Awards Broward Hospitality Workers for Service Excellence
Nearly 250 people gathered at the Diplomat Beach Resort for the second annual FRLA Broward ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards, honoring outstanding members of the local hospitality community.
Read moreFlorida Restaurant & Lodging Association Awards Broward Hospitality Workers for Service Excellence
~Second Annual ROSE Awards Recognize Local Stars of the Industry~ 2026 Broward ROSE Award Winners on Stage HOLLYWOOD, FL – Nearly 250 people from across Broward County gathered at…
Read moreMore than $2.1 Million in Scholarships Offered for Florida High School Students in Annual Hospitality Competition
Strawberry Crest High School took first place overall as Florida ProStart students competed in Orlando for more than $2.1 million in scholarships.
Read moreMore than $2.1 Million in Scholarships Offered for Florida High School Students in Annual Hospitality Competition
First Place Overall Winners from Strawberry Crest High School Note for Media: Photos are available for individual schools and winning teams ORLANDO – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association…
Read moreForbes Travel Guide Honors Florida Hotels, Restaurants, and Spas as 2026 Star Winners
Congratulations to Florida's 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award winners, including The Boca Raton, the only resort in North and South America to hold quadruple Five-Star status.
Read moreForbes Travel Guide Honors Florida Hotels, Restaurants, and Spas as 2026 Star Winners
Congratulations to these outstanding hotels/resorts, restaurants, and spas for being honored as 2026 Star Award Winners by Forbes Travel Guide, including The Boca Raton, the only resort in North and South…
Read moreFRLA Endorses Congressman Byron Donalds for Florida Governor
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association announced its endorsement of Congressman Byron Donalds for Governor at an event at WC Dover Farm.
Read morePRESS RELEASE: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Endorses Congressman Byron Donalds for Florida Governor
(L-R: Walt Dover, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover, Erika Donalds, and Congressman Byron Donalds at FRLA endorsement event at WC Dover Farm) TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant…
Read moreFlorida Tourism Industry Touts the Benefits of Tourism During Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol
FRLA joined the Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Museums, Destinations Florida, VISIT FLORIDA and others to promote the value of tourism and tourism promotion during Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol.
Read moreFlorida Tourism Industry Touts the Benefits of Tourism and Tourism Promotion During Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol
CONTACTS: For Destinations Florida: Jennifer Fennell, (850) 597-0057, jennifer@coremessage.com For Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association: Ashley Chambers, (254) 715-9040, achambers@frla.org Tallahassee, Fla. – Representatives of Florida’s tourism and hospitality…
Read moreFRLA Announces 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee
FRLA announced the installation of its 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee, seasoned leaders with more than 215 years of combined hospitality experience.
Read moreFRLA Announces 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee
(L-R: Dennis Chan, Nick Sarra, 2026 Chairman Greg Cook, Aaron Hoefen, Chuck Prather, Henry Delgado, Richard Schneider) TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) proudly announced the installation of…
Read moreTourism in Florida Delivers $133.6 Billion in Economic Impact, Nearly $2,000 per Household in Tax Savings in 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —VISIT FLORIDA’s 2024 Economic Impact of Tourism study revealed record-breaking economic contributions to Floridians from the state’s tourism industry. New data confirm that travel and tourism generated $133.6…
Read moreFresh From Florida Season is NOW
Florida is known as the winter salad bowl of the United States, thanks to a warm climate and fertile soil that allow for year-round farming. While much of the country…
Read moreDick Rivera Awarded FRLA Lifetime Achievement Award, Inducted into Hospitality Hall of Fame
L-R: FRLA 2025 Chairman of the Board Nick Sarra, FRLA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dick Rivera, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover) TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Restaurant &…
Read moreHeiko Dobrikow Named FRLA Hotelier of the Year, Inducted into Hospitality Hall of Fame
(L-R: FRLA 2025 Chairman of the Board Nick Sarra, FRLA Hotelier of the Year Heiko Dobrikow, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover) TALLAHASSEE – At the 2025 Hospitality Stars…
Read moreBroward Chapter Recognizes Students and Teachers at Education Breakfast
FRLA's Broward chapter awarded scholarships and honored standout hospitality students and educators.
Read moreRelief for Restaurant Employees Impacted by Hurricane Debby
CORE assists restaurant workers with dependent children affected by the storm.
Read moreHeadlines and dates are real frla.org posts; the full archive will sync from FRLA's content system.
Media inquiries
Journalists and media partners can reach FRLA's communications team for interviews, data, and press resources.