This week's podcast is a legislative update with Sarah Bratko, Senior Vice President of Advocacy/General Counsel, for the RI Hospitality Association.  Sarah gives an update on "the big 3" hot topics right now relating to Covid-19 recovery and outlines some of the positive things that have come out of the pandemic.

Lisa Raiola, President & Founder of Hope & Main, launches new initiative, Dish Up RI!  Dish Up RI, a joint effort between Hope & Main & RI Hospitality Association, provides a way for consumers to enjoy their favorite restaurants, at home!  Dish Up RI assists entrepreneurs and small business owners  in the process of bottling and packaging up their chef's signature flavors and getting them into retail space for consumers to purchase & enjoy.  May 21, 2021 is the official launch day where all Dish Up RI products will be available in all Dave's Fresh Marketplace locations.  Products are also available online, for more information, see links below.

Show links:

• Dish Up RI
• WhatsGood
• Dave's Fresh Marketplace

On this episode of #RIHospitality Podcast Heather Singleton, Chief Operating Officer for RI Hospitality Association, discusses the many factors affecting the unemployment crisis that restaurants and hotels are facing as things open back up.  She also reminds us of, “what’s new & good”:  Starting May 7th, capacity limits start to lift, Mother’s Day weekend is here, and things are starting to look up for the industry.

Tony Fonseca is the Co-Owner/Co-Operator of Packaging & More.  In this episode, Tony explains the trickle-down effect that the Covid-19 regulations and restrictions have had on manufacturing and how that relates to hotels and restaurants.  He connects the dots between social distancing in manufacturing plants and the future of menu pricing.   

In this episode we hear from Dale Venturini, President/CEO of RI Hospitality Association.  Dale unpacks Governor McKee’s 4/22 announcement on re-opening RI and explains the behind the scenes work that went into the big announcement.  She also discusses the exciting weeks ahead and what RIHA is doing to lead the industry in reopening from education to staffing to consumer confidence.  

Cathy Feeney is Chief of the Center for Food Protection within the Rhode Island Department of Health.  On this episode of #RIHospitality, Cathy discusses the major adjustments that have been made over the past year and how they will change the future of the Department of Health.

On this episode of #RIHospitality, Matt Weldon, the Department of Labor and Training's acting Director, discusses the volume of RI unemployment insurance claims and how his team had to adjust to serve unemployed Rhode Islanders in 2020-2021.

Jessica Willi, Executive Director of the Block Island Tourism Council discusses her mission to attract visitor spending that results in sustainable and significant economic and quality of life benefits for Block Island.