 The Restaurant Association of Maryland celebrates its 75th year in operation, serving restaurants and other foodservice industry members since 1936. Three-quarters of a century later, the Association has transformed into the only statewide trade organization operating solely for the purpose of helping Maryland restaurants succeed, boasting a membership of over 2,000 restaurant locations and other members of Maryland’s foodservice industry.
Back when the market crashed and the United States was deep into the Great Depression, a small group of Baltimore area restaurateurs met to deal with some of the challenges facing the economy and the foodservice industry. They believed they could accomplish more for the industry and their own businesses by uniting as one, rather than separate. These men used their own money to start the Baltimore Area Restaurant Association in 1927.
Less than 10 years later, the Association became the Restaurant Association of Maryland including restaurant and foodservice members statewide on August 24th 1936. The Restaurant Association of Maryland was officially incorporated in the State of Maryland.
Within the certificate of Incorporation the newly formed Association states that its purpose was, “for the promotion of friendliness and good fellowship among the Restaurant men of the State of Maryland, for the protection of its members against any adverse legislation; to aid in the strict enforcement in dealing with the general public; to promote and encourage whatever may increase the economic, civic and social welfare of the People of the State of Maryland.”
Wanting to recognize those that have succeeded in the industry, the 1st annual Stars of the Industry Awards Gala was held in 1954 to honor those in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The gala is now entering its 57th year, with over 600 people in attendance. The Restaurant Association of Maryland agreed it wasn’t enough to award those who achieved success in the industry, but it was also beneficial to bring all of the industry professionals and members together in the form of “The Mart” in 1955, now called the Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage, and Lodging EXPO. The EXPO is currently one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region, featuring exhibitors and attendees from New York to Florida. Historical milestones are not marked only marked by firsts, but also those that also make an impact on the Association itself.
When the Executive Director position, the only staff position for the Restaurant Association of Maryland, became available, five candidates were chosen to interview with the Search Committee comprised of Board Members. Marcia S. Harris was the last of the five candidates to interview. “When we finished the interview with Marcia, we all sat there with our jaws hung open because she had impressed us that much,” Past Chairman of the Board and a member of the Search Committee, Larry Wilhelm recalls. “When she walked into any room, everyone knew she was there. She didn’t have to say anything and just had one of those dynamic personalities that exuded hospitality, warmth, and kindness.” Marcia Harris served at the Executive Director and then president and CEO of the organization for over 21 years, the longest of any director or president.
Soon after Marcia Harris started at the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Association was starting to transform. Wilhelm remembers well, “Within a three-year period, we were starting to smoke, and when there’s smoke there’s fire, and then we burst into flames! Marcia gave the Association relevancy, stature, and it became a membership driven association where valued-added asset.” The Restaurant Association was no longer a staff of one. Initially a part-time staffer was brought on to assist Harris, and 24 years later today, the Association has 17 staff members, including those in the Education Foundation.
The Restaurant Association of Maryland founded the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation, a separately chartered 501(c)(3) organization in 1992, with the goal of increasing the professionalism of the industry’s workforce. The name was changed to the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation after much consideration of the board of directors to better represent the close relationship with the Restaurant Association of Maryland.
The Restaurant Association of Maryland continues to offer a range of member benefits from networking opportunities, discounted services, to the participation in the Maryland Restaurant & Hospitality Self Insurance Fund. The fund was created in 1993 and designed to offer an alternative to other plans that offered notoriously high rates to restaurants due to the "high risk" nature of the work performed in restaurants. In Maryland, this was the first self-insured fund.
“Our Association was created by restaurant operators, for restaurant operators, a tradition that lives on today, said Paul Hartgen, president & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. “I feel honored to be with this organization as it enters its 75th year; to know that we have helped thousands of restaurants and remained relevant to our industry for three quarters of a century is a very significant feat. We look forward to the next milestone.”
As we enter into our 75th year, we remember the small group of restaurateurs who realized the benefits of coming together for the overall good of the restaurant industry during the Great Depression. We remember that the Great Depression ended, and the economy improved; these tough economic times we are now facing will soon be history. As we take a look at our past, we look forward to the future of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. |
