The Washington Hospitality Association is the state’s leading hospitality trade group, representing more than 6,000 members of the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industry. The Washington Restaurant Association (established 1929) and the Washington Lodging Association (established 1920) joined forces in 2016 to create the Washington Hospitality Association that supports and advocates for restaurateurs, hoteliers and related hospitality industry professionals in the state capitol and communities statewide.
Our mission
We deliver wins for the hospitality industry.
Our vision
Produce the preeminent hospitality climate in the world.
Core Values of the Team
- Passion to serve others: We have a passion to serve the hospitality industry, our team and our communities.
- Desire for greatness: We commit to constant, never-ending improvement and strive for excellence in all areas of our association. This includes embracing diversity in thoughts, opinions, cultures and backgrounds.
- Attention to results: We understand our goals define our success and work diligently to achieve them, with honesty and integrity.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our successes, challenges and reputation and honor our commitments to each other and to our members.
- Commitment: We reach SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) decisions that have clarity, complete team buy-in, timely follow up and follow through.
- Healthy and constructive conflict: We believe in constructive conflict as a tool for strengthening our shared vision of greatness.
- Trust: We trust and are open with our team members, honoring each other as individuals working toward a greater good, every day, both professionally and personally.
What we do
Advocacy with State and Local Governments
The Washington Hospitality Association State and Local Government Affairs teams are focused on achieving wins for the industry and driving solutions to many of the issues raised in the halls and hearing rooms of the legislature in Olympia and in city council chambers across the state. In addition to their work building relationships with elected officials across the state, the State and Local Government Affairs teams support the association’s Grassroots program and the Political Action Committee. The team also staffs the association’s Government Affairs Committee, which is open to all active members of the association. See the Advocacy section of our website menu for more information.
Solutions and training
Our Education Foundation provides Washington state’s hospitality community with educational, training and career development opportunities. We also play an integral role in supporting the future of skilled employees for the industry. Our vocational culinary arts program, ProStart, is supported in more than 50 high schools throughout Washington state. We also provide access to a wealth of training programs focused on food safety, alcohol server training and professional development. See the Training section of our website menu for more information.
Industry news, information and resources
The association aims to be your primary source of industry news and resources. We provide online industry news, weekly emails and toolkits. Our Handbook for Excellent Restaurant Operations (HERO) and our Lodging Excellence Handbook are regarded highly among industry professionals. We also provide complimentary access to the state’s leading hospitality experts through our advisory network. See the News and Resources sections of our website menu for more information.
Cost-saving programs
Restaurateurs and hoteliers work on tight profit margins and any assistance helping their bottom line is welcome. We have developed a rigorous process to find reputable companies, leverage your numbers to negotiate pricing on your behalf. We offer a host of business assistance programs, such as a workers’ compensation program, health insurance and other money-saving resources. See the Member Savings section of our website menu for more information.
