Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association

Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
Name	Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
Abbreviation	ORHMA
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Region served	Ontario, Canada
Membership	Restaurants, hotels, motels, foodservice operators
Leader title	President & CEO

Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association is a provincial trade association representing the hospitality and foodservice sectors in Ontario. It serves as an industry voice for restaurant, hotel, and motel operators, providing member services, training, and advocacy. The association interacts with provincial institutions and municipal bodies to influence policy and promote industry standards.

History

Founded in the early 20th century, the association emerged during a period when the Hospitality industry and Foodservice sectors were formalizing collective representation alongside organizations such as the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and provincial chambers like the Toronto Board of Trade. Its development paralleled major events including the Great Depression, World War II, and postwar urbanization that reshaped Toronto and other Ontario municipalities. The association adapted through regulatory changes tied to provincial legislation such as liquor licensing frameworks and health inspection regimes influenced by agencies like Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ontario). Throughout the late 20th century, it expanded services in response to market shifts exemplified by the rise of franchises like Tim Hortons, multinational chains such as McDonald's and Hilton Worldwide, and the growth of tourism promoted by bodies like Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.

Organization and Governance

The association is governed by a board of directors drawn from operators of venues comparable to Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, family-run inns, and independent restaurateurs. Its governance model mirrors nonprofit structures seen in groups like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and regional trade associations such as the Greater Toronto Hotel Association. Executive leadership coordinates with committees on regulatory affairs, labour relations, and training aligned with standards set by institutions like Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and occupational frameworks similar to those in the Canadian Hospitality Human Resources Sector Council. Corporate partners and sponsors, including hospitality suppliers and corporate chains such as Marriott International and Choice Hotels International, participate in advisory capacities. The association maintains liaison roles with municipal bodies like the City of Toronto and provincial ministries including Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Membership and Services

Membership encompasses independent restaurateurs, bar owners, boutique hotels, motel operators, and large groups comparable to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and regional operators such as Mosaic Restaurant Group. Services include labour relations assistance in contexts involving collective bargaining with unions like UNITE HERE, occupational certification programs akin to those provided by Red Seal Program, and food safety training similar to standards promoted by Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The association offers benchmarking studies referencing indices such as the Consumer Price Index (Canada) and works with point-of-sale vendors and technology firms comparable to OpenTable and Square, Inc. to support members. Insurance and risk management guidance aligns with practices at organizations like the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Advocacy and Policy Positions

The association advocates on issues including liquor licensing reform, minimum wage and labour policy, public health mandates, and municipal zoning affecting hospitality districts like King Street, Toronto. It engages with provincial legislative processes at venues comparable to Legislative Assembly of Ontario and has submitted positions on tax measures similar to those debated by the Canada Revenue Agency and provincial finance ministries. Policy campaigns have addressed pandemic response measures in coordination with public health authorities such as Public Health Ontario and national associations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The association has taken positions on alcohol retail frameworks involving entities like the LCBO and on tourism promotion tied to initiatives from Destination Canada.

Events and Programs

The association organizes conferences, trade shows, and award programs comparable in scale to events hosted by National Restaurant Association affiliates and provincial hospitality summits. Programs include certification workshops in food safety and responsible beverage service modeled after curricula like Smart Serve and professional development seminars referencing standards from Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). It convenes networking events with suppliers and franchise representatives similar to those attending Canada's Foodservice Show and partners with culinary institutions and hospitality programs at colleges such as George Brown College and Humber College.

Impact and Economic Role

As a sectoral representative, the association contributes to the economic vitality of Ontario through advocacy that affects employment, tourism, and small business sustainability in cities such as Ottawa, Hamilton, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Its research and policy input inform provincial labour market discussions alongside entities like Statistics Canada and influence investment climates relevant to hotel brands like Accor and restaurant chains such as A&W (Canada). By supporting workforce training and public-facing standards, the association plays a role in shaping consumer-facing experiences in Ontario’s hospitality corridors and tourism destinations promoted by organizations like Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

Category:Trade associations based in Ontario Category:Hospitality industry organizations