MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
2019 has been a remarkable year for the Association and the industry overall.

With your help and engagement, the IRA was able to maintain the tip credit in the city of Chicago and state of Illinois, award more than $174,000 in scholarships to the next generation of hospitality professionals, and much more.

These successes would not have been possible without the support of our members, Officers, Board of Directors, Chairman Greg Schulson and all our corporate sponsors.

Click here to read more from IRA President & CEO Sam Toia.
MEMBERSHIP
Expanding the IRA Community

IRA membership continued to grow this year throughout Illinois under the direction of Membership Committee Chair Steven Hartenstein.

We were proud to offer expanded programming, including educational webinars and member roundtables, and we welcomed our new Endorsed Insurance Broker/Partner - The Horton Group .  

Click here to read more about IRA Membership initiatives.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Advocating for Restaurants 24/7

Throughout 2019, the IRA faced various legislative and regulatory challenges and fought to protect our industry on issues such as minimum wage and tip credit, restrictive scheduling, meal and alcohol taxes, and more.

Click here to read more about the IRA's key issues and recent successes, as well as reminders about new laws going into effect in 2020.
EDUCATION
The Most Dependable Training Solutions for Your Business

The IRA is your number one source for all your restaurant training and certification needs. Our Education department trained more than 3,000 people in food service sanitation throughout 2019. 

You can sign up now for ServSafe Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certification classes through April 2020.

Learn more about how we can get your team certified for success.
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Cultivating the Future Leaders of our Industry

This year, the IRA Educational Foundation (IRAEF) continued to grow the Illinois ProStart® program and worked on connecting culinary students with industry professionals through mentoring, job-readiness training, scholarships, and more.

The IRAEF awarded a total of $174,000 in scholarships to 80 hardworking students pursuing a post-secondary education in culinary arts or hospitality management.

Check out more highlights from the IRA Educational Foundation.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Year-Round Festivities for Hospitality Professionals

2019 was another year of food, friends, and fun for the Special Events department with a host of events that brought together industry leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and friendly faces of the IRA. ​

Check out the best events we hosted this year.
CHICAGO GOURMET
Lights, Camera, Napkin! Was a Show-Stopper!

Guests, sponsors and chefs alike were singing the praises of the 12th Annual Chicago Gourmet !

Known as one of the country’s top food and wine festivals, the event presented an array of city-wide activities from Tuesday, September 24 to Sunday, September 29, 2019.

Click here to read more and book your tickets for 2020.