IRA Legend Awards: Celebrating Our Leaders

Photograph from the IRA Archives

We know it’s hard to always travel to central Indiana, and we want to make sure we reach all our members to let them know how much we appreciate them. Throughout our year-long 75th Anniversary celebration we will be traveling throughout the state. After kicking off the year at our golf outing, the Indiana Restaurant Association is now bringing the Annual Meeting to northern Indiana.

Check our website for the celebration schedule.

Legend Awards
At each event we will be giving special recognition to members for their long time commitment to the Indiana Restaurant Association – the people who helped organize and build the foundation for the IRA, and continue to support the industry through their participation.

Do you have employees that have been with you for 20 years or more? As part of our 75th Anniversary, the Indiana Restaurant Association has launched an exciting new program to recognize the long-term dedication of employees who make up the backbone of our industry – the Indiana Restaurant Legends Award!

To qualify for the Indiana Restaurant Legends Award, an employee must:
1. Be nominated by an IRA member.
2. Have worked at the member restaurant for at least 20 years.
3. Personify exemplary service and dedication.

An attractive certificate acknowledging the award will be designed for the employee. Another certificate will be framed and presented to the restaurant owner to be displayed proudly on the premises. Press releases will be issued to the local news media highlighting the remarkable service of the Indiana Restaurant Legend in his or her area.

We encourage members who employ an Indiana Restaurant Legend, or know of one in their area, to apply today. Together, we can spread the word about those outstanding examples of service and dedication in our midst.

For more information contact Debbie Scott: dscott at lmvconsulting dot com or call 317.673.4211

IRA Historic Photo Archives

In light of our 75th Anniversary, we have been dusting off the records and peeking into the past. During our search we found a box full of black and white photographs dating as far back as 1933 - our founding date!

I could spend all day looking through these pictures.

Here's a few we've unearthed, just so you know what I mean!





(Image reads: "Group of Indiana State Restaurant Men - 1933" and looks like it was a newspaper clipping pasted onto a whiteboard)







Now, we need to set to work on digitally archiving and safely storing these great photographs so they can continue to live on.

2008 IRA Annual Meeting & 75th Anniversary Reception

The Indiana Restaurant Association is gathering up it's members to recap the 2007 year by reviewing the triumphs, struggles, and issues we faced as an industry.

Not only will we be looking back at what was 2007, but we will be looking at what we can do for the future ahead of us. And that's not all! We will also be looking ahead at our year-long 75th Anniversary celebration's many upcoming events (more info to follow).

As part of our 75th Anniversary, the Indiana Restaurant Association has launched an exciting new program to recognize the long-term dedication of employees who make up the backbone of our industry – the Indiana Restaurant Legends Award! More info to come!

2008 IRA Annual Meeting & 75th Anniversary Reception

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 P.M. Meeting
7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.m. Reception

WHERE:
Blue Chip Casino Hotel
2 Easy St., Michigan City, IN 46360

For more information call 317.673.4211 or email us info@indianarestaurants.org.

Celebrating 75 Years With A New Name & A Great Game of Golf!

Yes, I know. We have neglected our blog for quite some time. Lots have been going on around here, from office remodeling to name changes - quite a bit to keep us busy.

But now that we are back, let me share with you some exciting news here at the Indiana Restaurant Association.

Not only do we have our name change (from the lengthy Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana [RHAI] to the original Indiana Restaurant Association [IRA]) - but we are also celebrating our 75th Anniversary!

Many great events are underway to celebrate this great milestone.

And it's not too late to join us as we kick-off IRA's 75th Anniversary year with the first of many year-long activities!

Indiana Restaurant Association 2008 Annual Golf Outing

When: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Noon - Shotgun Start

Where: Pebble Brook Golf Course Noblesville, IN - View Map

Click here to register online!

Who else knows how to have as much fun as those in the hospitality industry?