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| Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association |
| Formation | 1936 |
| Purpose | Trade association for foodservice and lodging businesses in Kansas |
| Headquarters | Wichita, Kansas |
| Region served | Kansas |
| Leader title | President & CEO |
Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association
The Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association is a trade association representing restaurants, bars, hotels, and related hospitality businesses across Wichita and the state of Kansas. It connects operators with resources from statewide institutions such as the Kansas Department of Commerce, regional bodies like the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and national organizations including the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, and industry groups such as the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The association engages with policymakers in the Kansas Legislature and partners with educational institutions like the University of Kansas and Kansas State University.
Founded in the 20th century, the association traces origins to early hospitality networks that emerged in the interwar period alongside organizations such as the National Restaurant Association and the Hotel and Motel Association of America. During the post-World War II era it coordinated with federal initiatives involving the Civilian Conservation Corps veterans moving into business ownership, and later worked through regulatory shifts under administrations like Eisenhower and legislative periods including the 1970s Kansas legislative session. The association evolved through economic cycles including the Great Recession and public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas, aligning with labor and safety standards influenced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and tax policy debates reflected in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
The association's mission emphasizes business advocacy similar to the National Restaurant Association and community engagement like the Kansas Food Bank. Programs address public health coordination with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, workforce development aligned with Kansas Department of Labor, and tourism promotion in partnership with Kansas Tourism initiatives. It administers certification programs comparable to national certifications offered by the ServSafe program and collaborates with workforce training models at institutions such as Johnson County Community College and Butler Community College.
Members range from independent proprietors in cities like Topeka, Overland Park, and Lawrence to national chains represented locally such as Darden Restaurants, Yum! Brands, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Governance typically mirrors trade associations like the American Hotel & Lodging Association with a board of directors, executive officers, and affiliated local chapters in metropolitan areas including Salina and Manhattan. Committees often coordinate with entities such as the Kansas Restaurant Education Foundation and regional economic development authorities like Greater Wichita Partnership.
Advocacy work engages with state officials including the Governor of Kansas and committees of the Kansas Legislature, and coordinates federal advocacy priorities with delegations including representatives from Kansas's congressional delegation. Key issues have included minimum wage debates analogous to national discussions involving the Fight for $15 movement, alcohol regulation intersecting with statutes similar to the 21st Amendment framework, and liability protections discussed during periods like the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas response. The association frequently files position statements related to taxation, licensing, and labor policies akin to initiatives seen in the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
Education efforts align with postsecondary partnerships at institutions such as Kansas State University, Wichita State University, and vocational programs at the Kansas Board of Regents. Training curricula mirror national standards from programs like ServSafe and hospitality management degrees modeled on those at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Workforce pipelines are developed in coordination with local school districts and career and technical education programs similar to those supported by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
The association organizes events including annual trade shows, regional conventions, and employee recognition ceremonies comparable to the National Restaurant Association Show. It presents awards that spotlight operators and chefs similar to honors given by the James Beard Foundation and regional tourism awards akin to state-level recognition from Visit Wichita. Events often feature partnerships with culinary programs at institutions such as Johnson County Community College culinary arts and hospitality curricula at Manhattan Area Technical College.
Economic analysis produced or commissioned by the association examines employment trends in sectors comparable to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and evaluates tourism metrics similar to those tracked by Visit Wichita and Travel Industry Association of America. Research assesses contributions to state tax revenue paralleling studies from the Kansas Department of Revenue and models economic multipliers used by organizations like the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Findings inform public policy debates in venues including hearings before the Kansas Legislature and briefings for local economic development organizations such as Greater Topeka Partnership.
Category:Organizations based in Kansas Category:Trade associations of the United States