Leadership Reports Letters from the CEO and Board Chair

Message from Carol Dover

As the Sunshine State heats up and summer officially begins, it is time for relaxation and enjoying a great cocktail. How fitting that we kick off the season right with our annual beverage issue! In the following pages, you will find beverage trends, great products and more.

It’s also a good time to remember that alcohol is a highly regulated product that comes with great risk. Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s RCS Training Unit is here to protect your license and your alcohol revenue. There are many good alcohol training programs available to you; however, training alone does not grant your organization Qualified Responsible Vendor benefits enumerated in Florida Statutes. RCS offers so much more — the ultimate in risk management — including helping to prevent fines and suspension, protect your license and, of course, promote safe operations for your team and guests at your establishment. To protect your license and become a Qualified Responsible Vendor, reach out to your local RCS representative or call 1-800-537-9863.

It was recently our honor to be a sponsor of the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, known as “the greatest show above the earth.” It was incredible to see so many great men and women from all branches of our military and our first responders and feature the FRLA Fireworks Extravaganza. I can’t think of a greater way to celebrate our freedom and honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for that very freedom. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Following the Air and Sea Show, we held our summer board meeting at the Loews Miami Beach where we gathered, conducted FRLA business, and discussed best practices for many of the ongoing issues facing our industry. We hosted Michelle Korsmo, the new President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, as keynote speaker and highlighted all of Florida’s achievements, high marks in tourism, and record restaurant sales and occupancy rates. But we also highlighted challenges we continue to face like workforce, rising food prices and historic inflation. FRLA continues to advocate for relief and connect you with resources to help you through this time. It is our honor to represent you and fight for Florida’s hospitality industry.

Carol B. Dover

Carol B. Dover

FRLA President & CEO

Message from the Chairwoman

Time flies, I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year. Summer is a hectic time for Florida’s hospitality industry, and we continue to face difficulties in our businesses as inflation grips the country sending prices soaring for critical commodities. A recent article by the National Restaurant Association said we are seeing the largest 12-month increase in nearly five decades. In May, food prices were up 15.6% year over year. But the biggest cost issue has been the price per gallon of diesel fuel. On June 14, it reached a record-high national average of $5.78 per gallon, up 79.5% from $3.22 a year ago.

In addition, ongoing labor shortages and lack of workforce housing are causing our industry to work harder, longer hours to manage operations and control costs and payroll. We are making tough decisions to meet profit margins and keep our businesses open.

Since 2020, we have faced the biggest challenges of our lifetime. We need to remain strong and supportive. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has your back as we continue to fight for you. CEO Carol Dover, her team and the board of directors are working diligently for you, day in and day out. Please always reach out to your regional directors for information, support and guidance. Make sure you are utilizing RCS for all your training needs. They are the experts and can ensure your teams are properly trained for alcohol safety, harassment and food safety — they cover it all!

Continue to think outside the box as technologies are continuously expanding that could help streamline processes to help managers operate more effectively and efficiently. Even more important — your people. Prioritize your team members by being empathetic and providing the proper support and tools to succeed. Make sure that you continue to mentor young adults in your business, as they are our future leaders.

It’s truly an honor to serve as your 2022 Chairwoman. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you, which has helped me understand how to better support you and your team and keep our industry surviving. But we need to do more than just survive our current circumstances, we need to thrive and protect our future as the top industry in Florida.

Olivia Hoblit

Olivia Hoblit

2022-23 Chairwoman of the Board