Iowa Restaurant Association

09/04/2026

🍹 SERVSAFE ALCOHOL CLASSES — NOW ONLY $10! 🎉

Get certified for just $10 per class during our limited-time sale! 🙌

📅 Upcoming classes:
• September 8
• September 13
• September 29

⏰ Sale ends October 1!

Don’t miss your chance to get certified at an amazing price! 🍸✨

👉 Sign up today! https://zurl.co/71FS9

09/04/2026

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/Z1a9x

Janie Rogers has built one of western Iowa's most diverse hospitality portfolios, overseeing six restaurants, a liquor store, lodging, and real estate while remaining a hands-on operator. From neighborhood restaurants to nationally recognized brands, she has created businesses that reflect her belief that success starts with strong teams and leaders who are willing to work alongside their employees. A wife and mother of three, Janie has demonstrated that ambitious growth and family life can coexist, building businesses that continue to serve both their communities and the people who work in them.

09/04/2026

Join us on September 14 for our next Hospitality Exchange!
Good coffee. ☕ Great conversations. 🗣️ And even better industry connections. 🤝

🔗 Learn more & RSVP today! https://zurl.co/8yUHa

09/03/2026

Three pillars of Des Moines' restaurant scene (Aposto at The Scala House, Chef George Formaro & Tumea And Sons Restaurant) are coming together this weekend to fire up a historic neighborhood brick oven and bake bread in honor of Pat Civitate — the matriarch of the city's Italian community. 🇮🇹 ❤

Learn more from WHO 13 News ➡ https://tinyurl.com/5nva7kc2

Three Des Moines restaurateurs are teaming up this Saturday to honor 96-year-old Pat Civitate, known as the matriarch of the city’s Italian community. Tony Lemmo, George Formaro and Louie Tumea will host “Picnic with Pat,” offering free freshly baked bread to attendees from a historic neighborhood brick oven. Story link ⬇️.

09/03/2026

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/ui120

From her vintage trailer, Jaimie Kahle travels from Van Horne to markets and festivals across Iowa and the Midwest, sharing her nationally trademarked Big A Cookies and proving that a simple idea, hard work, and a little humor can build something unforgettable. As the mother of three daughters, Jaimie hopes her journey inspires women to be unapologetically themselves, listen to their hearts, and have the courage to take risks. She believes success comes from working hard, trusting the gifts God has given you, and embracing your true potential. Known for her nostalgic cookie names and the stories behind them, Jaimie has created an experience that brings people together, spreads joy, and serves one 𝟭𝟯-𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲 at a time.

09/02/2026

We raised a glass for Iowa hospitality!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at T12 Distillery-Formerly Foundry Distilling Company @ The Foundry to connect with industry friends and support the Iowa Restaurant Association PAC.

Special thanks to NRA Board Members Matt Johnson and Scott Carlson for hosting, and to T12 Distillery for the warm welcome and behind-the-scenes tour!

The IRA PAC helps strengthen our industry’s voice at the State Capitol by supporting candidates — Republicans and Democrats alike — who understand Iowa hospitality.

Couldn’t join us? You can still support the IRA PAC! ⬇️
https://zurl.co/b1jqK

PAC contributions must be made with personal funds.

09/02/2026

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/VzknW

Jade Johnson is preserving a tradition that's becoming increasingly rare—the small-town café where everyone feels like family. As owner of Frannie's Cafe in downtown Onawa, named in honor of three generations of women sharing the family name Frances, Jade serves farmhouse-style meals "from our family's kitchen to your family's table." Under her leadership, Frannie's has become more than a popular breakfast and lunch destination. It's a gathering place where locals catch up over coffee, travelers happily leave the interstate for a home-cooked meal, and community always comes first. An active member of Onawa, Jade's dedication is legendary—she was still welcoming guests and running the café at 41 weeks pregnant.

09/01/2026

On National Hotel Employee Day, we’re celebrating Amy Mortensen, the 2025 Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association Hotel Executive Team Member of the Year! Amy began her hospitality career at the front desk of a Super 8 in Newton in 2001. Today, she serves as Payroll and HR Manager for VKB Management, supporting teams across 15 hotels. Through more than two decades in hospitality, Amy has built her career around investing in people — encouraging young managers, offering second chances and believing that great guest service starts with taking great care of employees.

Today we celebrate Amy and hotel employees across Iowa who make our hospitality industry stronger every day!

09/01/2026

Today is National Hotel Employee Day, and we can’t think of a better person to celebrate than Wenjin Richardson, the 2025 Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association Employee of the Year! For nearly 20 years, Wenjin has been part of the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center team. She began in housekeeping after immigrating to Iowa from China in 2006 and today is the hotel’s beloved barista — although her teammates will tell you her role is much bigger than that. Wenjin remembers names and favorite drinks. She welcomes returning guests like old friends. She plants flowers outside the hotel, steps in wherever help is needed and has a remarkable ability to make people feel cared for. Guests mention her by name in reviews and return to the hotel just to see her. Her teammates call her “the glue that holds this place together.”

On National Hotel Employee Day, we celebrate Wenjin — and the thousands of hotel employees across Iowa whose kindness, hard work and attention to detail turn a hotel stay into an experience in hospitality.
Thank you for all you do!

09/01/2026

starts with the right ingredients.

A strong food safety culture takes the right people, training and practices — and we’ve got resources to help you build it!

🎓 Ready to strengthen your team’s food safety knowledge? Check out our upcoming ServSafe classes ➡️ https://zurl.co/TldfJ

📥 Download your free “Recipe for a Strong Food Safety Culture” recipe card ➡️https://zurl.co/mc96z

🎙️ Want to dig deeper? Join ServSafe VP of Food Science Patrick Guzzle on September 15 for “Prerequisites for an Authentic Food Safety Culture.” ➡️ https://zurl.co/Mhu6G