FRLA Names 2026 Hall of Fame Winners at Annual Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala

~ Hotelier, Restaurateur, and Supplier of the Year Icons Honored ~

(L-R: 2026 FRLA Chairman Greg Cook; Hotelier of the Year Tony Lapi; Supplier of the Year Susan Kopstad; Restaurateur of the Year Richard Gonzmart; FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover)

CLEARWATER, FL – Last night, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) honored its 2026 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Hall of Fame Winners during an evening gala at Opal Sol Resort. The 2027 FRLA Board Executive Committee and 2027 Chairman of the Board, Henry Delgado of Smith & Wollensky, Miami Beach, were also sworn in at the event.

“Florida’s hospitality industry is built on the passion, vision, and dedication of exceptional people who make our state a world-class destination,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. “The Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala celebrates the extraordinary individuals and businesses who set the standard for excellence across our state – from restaurateurs and hoteliers to the valued supplier partners who help bring their visions to life. These honorees exemplify the leadership, innovation, and commitment to service that strengthens Florida’s hospitality community, drives our economy, and creates memorable experiences for millions of residents and visitors. We are proud to recognize their achievements and celebrate their lasting impact they make on our industry and our state.”

2026 FRLA Hall of Fame Winners

Supplier of the Year: Susan Kopstad – Sea Breeze Coffee & Tea, Sarasota

For nearly five decades, Susan Kopstad has dedicated her life to hospitality, building a legacy of excellence, service, and community commitment.

Susan entered the coffee and tea industry more than 46 years ago in Chicago, where she and her husband, Todd, built a thriving company spanning 11 states and serving more than 1,000 accounts. Their reputation for quality and service earned the trust of Presidents, Governors, college football sky suites, and the Olympic Games.

In 1996, Susan and Todd relocated to Florida’s Gulf Coast and founded Sea Breeze Coffee & Tea. Under Susan’s hands-on leadership, the company has become a respected regional beverage partner, supplying premium coffee, tea, equipment, and service to hundreds of hospitality businesses. Sea Breeze is known for locally roasted coffees, award-winning iced teas, espresso offerings, exceptional service, and being the only family-owned Nespresso Professional distributor on Florida’s West Coast.

Susan has served 29 years on the Suncoast FRLA Board, currently as Secretary, and has led numerous charitable initiatives. She has served nine years on the Meals on Wheels PLUS and Manatee Chamber boards and currently serves on several community executive boards.

In 2024, Susan and Todd co-founded Homeless Not Hopeless, a faith-based ministry serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Susan also volunteers weekly with Radiant Church. Under her leadership, Sea Breeze received the Manatee Chamber Small Business of the Year Award and has supported more than 35 charitable organizations.

Restaurateur of the Year: Richard Gonzmart – 1905 Family of Restaurants, Tampa

Richard Gonzmart was born into one of Florida’s most celebrated hospitality families and has spent his life preserving, carrying forward, and expanding a remarkable legacy. He is the second great-grandson of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., founder of the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s historic Ybor City. Founded in 1905, the Columbia is Florida’s oldest restaurant and the oldest Hispanic restaurant in the United States, continuously owned and operated by the same family.

Richard’s hospitality education began almost as soon as he could walk. His earliest memory, at three and a half years old, is of his grandfather, Casimiro Hernandez Jr., teaching him how to identify fresh fish at the Columbia. By age 12, Richard was spending his summers as an apprentice cook in the restaurant’s kitchen. After graduating from Jesuit High School in Tampa, he studied at the University of Denver School of Hotel and Restaurant Management and the Escuela de Turismo y Hosteleria in Madrid, Spain.

Under Richard’s leadership, the Columbia family of restaurants grew from two locations to seven, spanning Tampa, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Celebration, and Tampa International Airport. He also created and developed concepts including Ulele, Goody Goody Burgers, Café Con Leche Ybor City, and Casa Santo Stefano. Through these restaurants, Richard has continually celebrated Florida’s history, diverse cultures, local ingredients, and the stories of the people who built its communities.

Richard’s commitment to hospitality extends far beyond his restaurants. Giving back has been a defining part of his life and leadership. Through the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program, the Columbia family has contributed more than $4.8 million to nonprofit organizations throughout Florida. His annual fundraising events for Moffitt Cancer Center have raised millions more, while his family’s longstanding support of the University of South Florida has helped provide scholarships and opportunities for generations of students.

A passionate advocate for education and young people, Richard has served on numerous boards and advisory committees and regularly speaks to students about hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership, and family business. He has also supported programs that encourage children to develop confidence, healthy lifestyles, and a belief in their own potential.

His extraordinary contributions have earned recognition throughout Florida and beyond, including induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality Hall of Fame, and Distinguished Restaurants of North America Hall of Fame. He has received numerous honors for entrepreneurship, philanthropy, community service, and industry leadership.

Richard has been married to his high school sweetheart, Melanie Heiny Gonzmart, since 1973. They have two daughters and five grandchildren, representing the sixth generation of the family.

Whether welcoming guests to a restaurant, supporting a student, serving his community, or sharing the lessons he learned from his grandfather, Richard Gonzmart has made hospitality a lifelong commitment. His story is one of family, entrepreneurship, generosity, and an enduring belief in the power of bringing people together around a table.

Hotelier of the Year: Tony Lapi – ‘Tween Waters Inn, Captiva Island

Tony Lapi’s five-decade hospitality career began in 1976 when he and his wife, Angie, moved from Rochester, NY, to Sanibel Island and joined partners in purchasing the historic ‘Tween Waters Inn. At the time, the resort consisted of 47 cottages, a small marina, and a modest restaurant. As General Manager and later President/CEO, Tony helped transform the property and grow the company into Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, expanding to more than 300 units across four beachfront properties, with operations growing from six employees to 230.

Tony was instrumental in having ‘Tween Waters Inn — whose first cottages date back to 1931 — placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. After stepping down as President/CEO in 2022, he continued as Chairman and remained deeply involved in the company. Following Hurricane Ian’s devastating impact on Southwest Florida in 2022, Tony helped lead the rebuilding of three destroyed properties, reopening ‘Tween Waters with a new fine-dining concept and Beachview Cottages in 2026.

Tony’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including Sanibel Captiva Chamber Citizen of the Year, the Gordon Schopfer Lifetime Achievement Award, the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate, the Sam Bailey Award for Outstanding Community Service, Lee County Junonia Award, and the 2023 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame.

His community leadership includes service with VISIT FLORIDA, the Lee County Tourist Development Council, United Way of Lee County, Florida Gulf Coast University School of Hospitality Advisory Board, the Sanibel Captiva Chamber, and the Captiva Island Historical Society.

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 20,000 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 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.