DES MOINES, IOWA (October 11, 2022) — The Iowa Restaurant Association today announced Iowa Senator Chris Cournoyer as the trade group’s 2022 Legislator of the Year. Sen Cournoyer, who represents Iowa’s 49th Senate District, was a strong voice for the hospitality industry during the 2022 legislative session. Specifically, she shepherded much needed liquor license-reform through the legislative process.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 30, 2022) — The Iowa Restaurant Association today released its 2022 40 “Women to Watch” in Hospitality List. The honorees hail from nearly every segment and function in the industry-from purveyors and entrepreneurs, to chefs and business development professionals.

DES MOINES, IOWA (July 19, 2022) — Finding qualified workforce continues to stifle recovery for many Iowa restaurants and bars, according to survey data from the Iowa Restaurant Association. More than half of respondents (52%) ranked finding qualified workforce as their greatest challenge — with more than one-third operating 30% below their needed staffing levels. The increased cost of labor and the increased cost of goods were a close second on the list of challenges.

DES MOINES, IOWA (January 21, 2022) — A group of Iowa hospitality leaders today announced the formation of the Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA). The new non-profit trade association was incorporated earlier this month, but officially launches January 20, 2022. The group is actively building membership and has started to engage in initiatives which fulfill its mission to protect, promote, educate, and advocate on behalf of the states 700+ hotels and lodging establish