Wisconsin Restaurant Association

09/02/2026

Congratulations to Megan Scott, Project Manager and Designer at Boelter, for being recognized as one of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association's 2026 Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch!

For nearly 39 years, Megan has worked alongside visionary chefs, restaurateurs and institutions to bring hospitality concepts to life through thoughtful, highly functional foodservice design. Her collaborative approach has helped create some of Wisconsin's most respected hospitality destinations, including The Commodore, Lupi & Iris and the University of Wisconsin Camp Randall Student-Athlete Center.

Throughout her career, Megan earned credibility and respect in two traditionally male-dominated industries—construction and hospitality development—through expertise, professionalism and results. Today, she is equally respected for mentoring future project managers and designers, ensuring her impact will continue for generations to come.

Congratulations, Megan!

09/01/2026

The wait is finally over! Tickets to Cheers to Hospitality are available now at www.cheers2hospitality.com/tickets.html. Limited early bird tickets are available while supplies last. Join us on Saturday, November 7 at Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee for a night where culinary & mixology passion, creativity, and community come together.

08/31/2026

"To have 56 restaurants give back and give a piece of the pie to Children's Wisconsin really tells you how meaningful this is for restaurants. Doing good never tasted so delicious." - Kristine Hillmer, WRA's President & CEO

Watch more on last week's Do Good with Food event, hosted by Milwaukee's Kitchen Cabinet!

Milwaukee’s restaurant community is coming together for its biggest Do Good With Food fundraiser yet, with 56 locations supporting Children’s Wisconsin. FOX6's Brian Kramp was at Calderone Club with the personal story that helped inspire seven years of giving back.

08/30/2026

Congratulations to Amanda Stefl, Owner of Timber Hill Winery, on being selected as one of Wisconsin's Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch!

Amanda has spent nearly a decade turning Timber Hill Winery into more than a winery, she has created a destination where people gather, celebrate, support local causes, and make lasting memories.

Her leadership is equally focused on the people behind the scenes. As Christiane West wrote in her nomination, "Amanda demonstrates that success can be achieved while uplifting others." Through mentorship, leadership development, and a workplace where employees genuinely feel supported, Amanda is helping shape the next generation of hospitality professionals.

From Timber Hill Winery to her exciting new venture, Cervato at the Madison Public Market, Amanda continues creating welcoming spaces that strengthen communities throughout Wisconsin.

Congratulations on this incredible honor!

08/28/2026

Gen Z and millennials are changing the beverage landscape. 🍸 They’re the most active and adventurous beverage customers, seeking new flavors, more variety and experiences worth making a stop for.

They’re also driving beverage-only occasions, especially in the mid-afternoon, creating new opportunities for restaurants to attract guests throughout the day.

The National Restaurant Association all-new 2026 Restaurant Beverage Trends report dives into the data behind these shifts and what they mean for restaurant operators, from emerging preferences to new opportunities for growth. Learn more about the report: https://bit.ly/3Syc53Q

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Kathryn Alioto, Regional Director of Sales for Atira Hotels, on being named one of Wisconsin's Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch!

Kathryn's career reflects a leader who embraces challenges. She has successfully led hotel openings, helped guide organizations through restructuring, rebuilt underperforming sales teams, and grown from leading a single property to overseeing multiple markets and now an entire region.

What makes Kathryn's leadership especially impactful is how she achieves those results. She believes organizations don't have to choose between high performance and healthy workplace cultures. By strengthening trust across departments, mentoring future leaders, and challenging outdated leadership norms, she's helping build stronger teams while creating workplaces where people genuinely thrive.

Today, she oversees properties which include the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milwaukee West/Wauwatosa and also mentors through the Wisconsin Women's Network in both Milwaukee and Madison.

As Tricia Veale wrote: "Kathryn leads by example, lifts others up, and creates a workplace where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive."

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

08/27/2026

"Hospitality has long been a place where women lead, innovate, and build successful careers," says WRA President & CEO Kristine Hillmer. We're proud to celebrate the 2026 Wisconsin Women in Hospitality Award recipients - the women who show up every day to lead teams, solve challenges, and serve their communities. Congratulations to this year's honorees!

Wisconsin Restaurant Association: Announces 2026 Women in Hospitality Award recipients August 26, 2026 MADISON, Wis., August 26, 2026 — The Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Women in Hospitality Awards, sponsored by Society Insurance. The award...

08/27/2026

Today is the day! Our "Do Good With Food", benefiting Children's Wisconsin is happening now, hosted by Milwaukee's Kitchen Cabinet. We hope to see you at one of the 56 participating restaurants. Giving back has never been more delicious! 💙💙

Have breakfast, lunch, dinner or all three meals at your choice of participating restaurants on Aug. 27 and you'll be supporting lifesaving work that makes a difference for children and their families.

08/27/2026

We're thrilled to recognize Culver's of Darboy, Little Chute, Grand Chute & Combined Locks as a Hydration & Refueling Station Sponsor for our Women in Hospitality Conference happening September 28 in Madison. Thanks to Culver's for supporting this event, which will connect and recognize women in Wisconsin’s hospitality industry and champion the next generation of leaders.

Learn more about Culver's of Darboy, Little Chute, Grand Chute & Combined Locks: www.culvers.com/restaurants/darboy

08/26/2026

She entered the hotel world just 18 months ago. She has already earned a reputation for making guests feel cared for and bringing people together behind the scenes. ⭐

Meet Keely Liska, Group Rooms Coordinator at AC Hotel Madison Downtown and a 2026 Women in Hospitality Rising Star Award Recipient!

Whether coordinating an intimate meeting or a larger catered event, Keely anticipates guest needs, communicates seamlessly across departments and consistently delivers a thoughtful, personalized experience. She has quickly mastered the complex details of group operations while becoming a trusted resource for clients and colleagues alike.

“Keely Liska is not only a rising star - she is a defining example of the future of hospitality,” said Ranette Maurer, General Manager of AC Hotel Madison Downtown.

Keely credits the strong women around her for helping shape her early career and inspiring her excitement for what lies ahead. Help us congratulate Keely and celebrate her on September 28 at Wisconsin’s Women in Hospitality Conference!