Mom’s the Word! Indiana Restaurants Offer Budget Saving Deals on Mother’s Day

Making Mom feel special on Mother’s Day is a tradition that has been taking place for many years and Indiana Restaurant Association (IRA) members have taken the initiative to create special menus that will appeal to anyone who is looking to make Mom feel special on Mother’s Day weekend May 9-10, 2009 without breaking the bank.

The National Restaurant Association research shows that Mother’s Day is the single most popular day of the year to dine out, with nearly four out of 10 Americans (38 percent) doing so up from 30 percent in 1996.

Restaurants are taking extra steps in today’s economic conditions to provide Mothers with more value for their money. Here’s a sample of what just a few restaurants are dishing up for Mother’s Day Weekend:

Kelties Restaurant provides hands on training for families with children who need etiquette lessons. There will be Brunch with delectables such as egg dishes, fresh seasonal fruits, and homemade pastries desserts with our signature chicken strudel, fresh fish and beef tenderloin. A dinner buffet will be served with specialties such as shrimp scampi, blackened salmon, beef tenderloin and so much more.

Propylaeum has a vintage atmosphere and will provide a Brunch Buffet for $30.00 or $18.00 for children between 6 and 12. This extravagant buffet will included carved meats, salads and entrees, with appropriate side dishes and a dessert buffet.

Scotty’s Brewhouse will offer a free dessert for every mom and kids 12 and under eat free.

“We wanted to give something special to Mom’s, so not only are we giving a free dessert to every Mom; but, we have “sweetened” the deal by also giving a free scratch off lottery ticket,” said Scott Wise, President/CEO of Scotty’s Brewhouse. “We felt, with 5 restaurants and the hundreds of moms we will see, our chances of making a few lucky families leave with a full tummy and full pocket of cash, would be a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day.”

The Association’s Holiday Dining survey indicates that dining out on Mother’s Day is more common among larger households. Almost half (44 percent) of adults, in household consisting of three or more individuals, ate a Mothers Day meal at a restaurant last year, compared to about one-quarter (24 percent) of one person households.

Not only are restaurants providing special meals, hotels are also helping consumers save big on Mother’s day by providing affordable spa treatments and room specials.

West Baden Springs Hotel is offering a Mother's Day Hotel Package starting at $349, which includes an inclusive of a manicure, pedicure and breakfast in bed. Customers will get to enjoy luxuriously appointed rooms and rejuvenate in world-class spas.

French Lick Springs Hotel will offer a Mother's Day Hotel Package starting at $99. It includes an overnight stay and a deluxe continental breakfast for two the next morning.


To see the full list of restaurant specials visit http://www.indianarestaurants.org/mothersday.asp.

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The Indiana Restaurant Association (IRA) is a full-service membership association with more than 1,600 member restaurant properties and industry-related services companies. IRA provides member companies the best government and public relations program, member benefits, education, and information services. Member companies can be found online at http://www.indianarestaurants.org/.

Upcoming Hoosier Hospitality Conference Boasts New Topics and National Speakers

Over 500 restaurateurs, hoteliers and tourism professionals will be “Creating Hoosier Hysteria in Hospitality” at the 2009 Hoosier Hospitality Conference (HHC) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Historic Union Station in Indianapolis on March 24 and March 25. This year's conference boasts exciting national speakers and hot new topics that are affecting the restaurant and hospitality industry today.

With more than 25 industry-focused educational sessions that focus on marketing, sustainability, technology, trends, and government relations, we can proudly say that HHC is Indiana's only all industry educational and networking conference for hospitality leaders.

During HHC 2009, special guests and industry experts will ignite excitement into the restaurant and hospitality industry. National speakers Chris Moyer, from the National Restaurant Association, and Costas Christ, from National Geographic Adventure, will give attendees the necessary knowledge to keep current with industry trends.

Other guest speakers will present topics such blogging, branding, marketing and technology. A silent auction will take place that will benefit the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau scholarship program, and the Indiana Hospitality & Tourism Foundation to prepare high school students who want to enter the restaurant and hospitality industry.

HHC is brought to you by the Indiana Restaurant Association (IRA), the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA), the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB), and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD).

View the full list of speakers, session information and register online at http://www.hoosierhospitalityconference.com/.

Devour Downtown Focus on Channel 13

McCormick & Schmick's own Scotty Kennedy talks to Channel 13 about the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Hospitality Association's exciting event Devour Downtown Winterfest taking place January 19-31, 2009!

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Delicious Revolution: Are You Going?

Photo by Thomas Heinser





When & Where: Tuesday, Dec 2 at 6:30 pm/Tobias Theater at the IMA (Sold out)
World-class chef, "eat local" advocate, and food educator Alice Waters visits the Indianapolis Museum of Art to ignite a conversation about learning, creative living, health, and sustainability. As the founder of the Edible Schoolyard garden project in which students grow and prepare their own food, Waters shares her vision for “a revolution in public education…When sustainability becomes the lens through which they see the world.” Savor Alice’s message of the pleasure, beauty, and power of food. Before and after the talk, browse informational booths and enjoy tastes of local food provided by the students of Ivy Tech Community College. Certification Renewal Credit Eligible

This event is sold out. Call 317-955-2339 to be placed on a waiting list. If tickets become available Monday, December 1, those on the waiting list will be contacted in the order received.

Learn more about Alice Waters
Learn more about Delicious Revolution

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Tickets are sold out! So tell us, are you one of those lucky ticket holders?? And what do you hope to learn from going?

Play Golf AND Support Your Industry

GOLDEN DOME GOLF CLASSIC
A Benefit for the NRA PAC & SAFE FUND

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, Noon Shotgun Start
WHERE: Warren Golf Course, University of Notre Dame View Map
Click here to download a registration form!

Schedule & Details:
Registration - 10 a.m.
Dinner and prizes immediately after play
4-person scramble format

Cost per golfer is $150*(includes green fees, cart, gift bag, lunch, dinner and drinks)

(*Registration discounted to $125 if you pay with a personal check or credit card made out to the NRA PAC)

Contributions to NRA-PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to NRA-PAC are for political purposes. All contributions to NRA-PAC are voluntary. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The proposed contribution amounts are merely suggestions; you may choose to contribute more or less or not at all. The NRA will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, address, occupation, and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Federal law prohibits corporate contributions.Contributions to the SAFE Fund are not deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be deductible under other provisions of the tax code. Please check with your tax counsel.

Advance Purchase Raffle Contest/Package
Buy a Raffle/Contest Package before the event and save $40

Package includes:

• 2 mulligans for each member of your team


• An armstretch of raffle tickets for each member of your team


• 1 string for the "string game"


• $100 advance purchase


• $140 day of event
  
• Limit: One per team

Become A Sponsor!
Call Stephanie Higgins at 317.673.4211 or email for sponsorship opportunities!

Getting Ready for Golf!

No time for a great post today (or tomorrow either to be honest) - we are getting ready for our golf outing! Here in the Marketing/Commmunications Department there are awards to assemble, banners to pick up, rule sheets to print and Stephanie,our Director of Events, is hard at work organizing all the players into teams and printing name badges and door prize tickets - we busy, busy, busy.

Though I thought I would leave you with this great photo of last year's 1st place winners.

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?