A Message from the Chairman of the Board
Richard Rosenthal

As the CRA Chairman of the Board I spend considerable time pondering what makes a good trade association and the answer seems so obvious – a large active membership base.  The best associations serve as a catalyst for the ideas and values of their members, and support the best interests of the group.  Associations provide knowledge and a focal point for the members.  But the benefits and the legislative influence these associations provide cannot exist without member participation and support.

Trade associations are valuable because most industries are fragmented by nature.  Many of the individual businesses within the industry are competitors, and highly focused on their own objectives.  Often, the businesses do not have the opportunity or ability to share information or combine resources to address common issues other than in exceptional circumstances.  Industry fragmentation is a big enough problem in industries dominated by large companies with significant resources or those not under intense regulatory pressure.  But in an industry like the restaurant industry, in which a significant number of its players are independent operators in concentrated local markets, this fragmentation can be damaging.  The restaurant industry is too large of an economic force to allow itself to shift in the political winds.

My objective as volunteer leader of the Connecticut Restaurant Association is, and will continue to be, to make the Connecticut Restaurant Association a great association – not just good, but GREAT!  CRA membership has grown by 100 members this year; almost 300 restaurants are participating in the association insurance program; we launched our new monthly E-Newsletter; our legislative agenda remains timely and urgent... we communicate our concerns to our membership, and with their support and phone calls to their representatives, we are heard.  This is a difficult year for us... high gas prices keep customers at home; high diesel fuel prices drive up the costs of everything our businesses buy; grain, fresh grown, and corn processed items have all but doubled in price in a year. How can you fight this alone? Perhaps the truth is, that you cannot. But together, as a strong association, we can work to reduce your expenses, improve your sales, and inform your legislators that your concerns are vaild, and important to Connecticut's future.

For 2008, we will be holding our annual CT Hospitality! EXPO at Mohegan Sun Convention Center on September 2-3.  This exciting industry event, to be held at Connecticut's most exciting venue, will feature seminars of interest, fun competitions, and will focus on "the greening" of our industry. Going green saves money, and improves our stature in the community. Come learn what it can mean to you.

CRA/NRA Members have seen improvements in their credit card processing options.  Our Educational Foundation has doubled the number of ServSafe food safety classes and locations and is introducing a new series of management development seminars and ServSafe Alcohol "Train the Trainers" seminars.  And that is only the beginning... we plan to concentrate our educational efforts on the future of the industry, high school and college age individuals that have expressed an interest in our industry. They're the next generation, and we will be sure they are trained when you need them.

There is a great deal happening at this association, so don’t miss out.  Get involved, think of your dues as "a small investment in a bigger future for your business," and reap the rewards.  As Benjamin Franklin said, “We will all have to hang together or we will all hang separately.”

Richard Rosenthal
President, Max Restaurant Group, Hartford
2008 - 2009 Chairman of the Board, Connecticut Restaurant Association