Scott Dolch, President & CEO of the newly named Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, welcomed industry leaders for the announcement of the Connecticut Restaurant Association launching a unified trade association to include lodging partners.
New, unified association to represent 10,000 hospitality businesses
From Staff Reports
The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) officially announced its transformation into the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA) on Feb 17. The strategic evolution marks a new era for the state’s hospitality ecosystem, bringing local restaurants, bars, caterers, and lodging partners under one unified banner in order to better support and grow a hospitality industry that contributes more than $1.5 billion in annual state taxes and nearly $21 billion in economic impact on the state of Connecticut.
In announcing the change, CRHA leadership said the transition reflects the modern reality of an industry where dining and lodging are intrinsically linked. Connecticut becomes the 31st state in the nation to adopt this combined model, a move designed to amplify the sector’s voice at the State Capitol, and to allow the association to provide even more extensive support and benefits to its members.
“By bringing hotels and restaurants together, we are building a unified front with the scale to fight more effectively for our members at a time when they face unprecedented costs and challenges,” said Scott Dolch, President & CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association. “For years, our association’s work has been tied to overlapping partner businesses that form a broader hospitality ecosystem. Now, this is a logical evolution that ensures Connecticut’s hospitality community remains a world-class destination.”
Gov. Ned Lamont joined restaurant and hospitality professionals during the Feb. 17 press conference.
Gov. Ned Lamont joined industry leaders for the announcement, highlighting the sector’s vital role in the state’s economy. As part of the expansion, the association has increased its Board of Directors from 25 to 35 seats, integrating seven new lodging-specific members to ensure diverse representation across the hospitality spectrum.
“This is the most critical time for our industry to unify,” said Scott Miller, CRHA Chairman and COO/Partner of DORO Restaurant Group. “Whether you are a single-location restaurant or a full-service hotel, our challenges are aligned. Moving forward as one association gives us the political strength and confidence to advance our core objectives in a shifting landscape.”
The rebrand also signals a deeper commitment to workforce development and professional training through the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF), the association said.
“As a lodging operator, I’ve seen firsthand how the success of our hotels depends on the vibrancy of our culinary scene,” said Amanda Arling, President of Whaler’s Inn, Shipwright’s Daughter & Mystic Fish Camp and member of the CRHA Executive Committee. “Joining forces allows us to better serve our guests and our employees by sharing resources, training, and a collective seat at the table where decisions are made.”
The CRHA now enters a final planning phase for the full brand rollout, including extensive stakeholder input to ensure the new identity reflects the lived experience of its 2,100-plus member locations.
