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With a renewed spirit, the LRA held its annual chapter leadership conference in Baton Rouge on January 24. The topics covered everything LRA-related, from advocacy to the education foundation, as well as events and goals. LRA Chair Alan Guilbeau and Director Stephen Hightower (Chapter Leadership Chair) led a dialogue that sparked creativity in how our chapter leaders and members can help recruit new LRA members.

“Just as your restaurants and businesses are recovering from the pandemic, so is the LRA,” said Guilbeau.

“With so many new restaurants and ownership changes, the timing is perfect to align our efforts to jumpstart membership.”

LRA EVP of Membership Pam St. Pierre shared the 2023 through 2025 strategic plan with the group. It included an overview of the mission and vision and how we fulfill them through advocacy, communications, resources, education, training, and leading through best practices, structure, and strategy.

LRA SVP of Communications Wendy Waren shared the lay of the land when it comes to LRA advocacy on behalf of the industry. In addition to explaining the LRA’s work at the federal, state, and local levels, she briefed the group on current legislative items that impact the industry, the Louisiana governor’s transition and inauguration, and new appointments.

“Advocacy is the number one reason the LRA exists,” said Waren. “We actively monitor so many facets of industry issues, all so you don’t have to. But know that when we call you to action, it’s important.”

​The LRA chapters also raise funds for the LRA Hospitality PAC each year. In 2023, they collectively brought in $107,500, and in 2024, they increased their goal to $114,500.

This year, LRA Chapter Coordinators Britney Ford and Alex Shafer will be navigating a landscape of the ebbs and flows of chapter member engagement, as Hightower dutifully guides the path forward.

“We’ve learned that members have more time constraints than ever before,” said Hightower. “As leaders, it’s important for us to offer various ways for members to gather for the benefit of networking and sharing best practices.”

To connect LRA members with young people interested in restaurants and hospitality, Waren highlighted the LRA Education Foundation’s signature programs: ProStart and the Scholars Program. Collectively, the LRA chapters contributed $119,000 in 2023 and set the goal of $128,500 in 2024.

As the conference ended, the group focused on three key goals for 2024:

1. Attract new restaurant members.

2. Advance peers into volunteer leadership positions.

3. Improve outreach to build stronger connections with members.

Interested in serving on your local chapter board of
directors or volunteering for an upcoming event?

Chapters: Acadiana, Cenla, Baton Rouge and Southwest Contact: Britney Ford
(225) 240-7189 | bford@lra.org

Chapters: Bayou, Greater New Orleans and Northshore Contact: Alex Shafer
(504) 636-6527 | ashafer@lra.org