ABOUT CRHA
The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA) is our state’s premier industry trade association representing the local restaurant and hospitality sector. We are a mission-driven, member-based, non-profit organization comprised of community advocates who fight every day to ensure our small business members not only survive - but thrive.
The CRHA is dedicated to championing the restaurant and hospitality industry by shaping policy, and ensuring the voices of our industry are heard in creating a thriving and sustainable future for local businesses.
We are committed to:
Elevating important issues and influencing discussions wherever policy decisions are being made.
Building relationships with key lawmakers, and shaping policy to improve the landscape for our business members.
Breaking down barriers to doing business and addressing industry-wide challenges that directly impact a business's bottom line.
Amplifying the voice of our members with clear, consistent, and unified messaging.
Ensuring our industry perspective is highlighted consistently in the news media, and that the stories and faces of our local businesses are pushed to the forefront of policy conversations.
CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (CHEF)
The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) is the non-profit 501(c)3, philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA).
CHEF’s mission is to promote the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships and financial assistance. CHEF works to attract, empower, advance and impact a career-oriented professional workforce for the hospitality industry through education for future hospitality industry professionals, workforce development opportunities and scholarships.
QUESTIONS?
ALLIED MEMBERSHIP WITH CRHA
Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association
Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation
ALLIED MEMBERSHIP
Putyourbusinessinfrontoftherightaudienceandturnconnectionsintogrowth.AlliedMembershipwiththeConnecticutRestaurant& HospitalityAssociationprovidesaccesstoindustryleaders,targetedvisibility,andexclusiveopportunitiestoexpandyourreachand generatenewbusiness.
ADVANTAGE
$650 PER YEAR
Coremembershipgivesyouaccesstoessentialtools,resources,and opportunitiesdesignedtogenerateleads,boostcredibility,andsupport businessgrowth.
BelistedinConnecticut’smosttrustedhospitalityvendordirectoryto reachoperatorsactivelyseekingsolutions
GenerateleadsanddriverevenuewithanexclusiveofferintheMember ExclusiveSavingsProgram
Stayaheadwithcurated,members-onlycommunications,including industrynews,associationupdates,andspecialopportunities
Unlockexclusiveaccesstomembersavings,businesssupportand resources,andpreferredpricingonpromotionaltools
Showyoursupportforhospitalityandstrengthencredibilitywiththe CRHADigitalMemberBadge
$2,500 PER YEAR
AdvantagemembershipincludesallCorebenefits,alongwithexpanded visibilityandpromotionalopportunities,plusadditionaltoolsandresourcesto supportgrowthandelevateindustryrecognition.
UpgradeyourvisibilitywithenhancedplacementintheVendorDirectory, MemberResourceGuide,MemberSavingsProgram,plusemailpromotion
AccesstheCRHAmembermailinglistannuallytosupporttargeted outreachandgenerateleads
Enjoyexclusive,priorityaccesstonetworkingeventsavailableonlyto Advantagemembers,connectingyouwithkeyindustryleaders
GaintoppartnervisibilitywithabusinessprofileonCRHA’sIndustry Partnerspageandlogofeaturedinbroadcastemailfooters
Shareyourexpertisebycontributingthoughtleadershipcontenttothe CRHAblog
STARTING AT $10,000 PER YEAR
Prime Partners are recognized for their dedicated support of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association and receive customized annual plans to maximize impact. They are promoted as our most respected industry partners, showcasing their commitment to advancing the growth and success of the restaurant and hospitality community. PRIME
ALLIED MEMBERSHIP DELIVERABLES
giving you visibility, opportunity for business growth, connections within the
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MY BUDGET ONLY ALLOWS CORE LEVEL FOR NOW. CAN I STILL GET ACCESS TO RESTAURANT MEMBERS AT THIS LEVEL?
Core members are welcome and encouraged to network with restaurant members at applicable CRHA events, and promote their business by submitting to our Member Exclusive Savings Program. Core members have the opportunity to sponsor events, emails, and promote their involvement and support of the CRHA with our Allied Member Promotional logo.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF UPGRADING FROM CORE TO ADVANTAGE?
Advantage level membership includes all the benefits of Core, plus increased visibility and advanced opportunity for engagement. Upgraded benefits include, the opportunity to include business promotion in Board Member packets at CRHA Board Meetings, enhanced listings in CRHA Vendor Directory, Member Resource Guide, & Member Exclusive Savings Program, direct Mailing List for CRHA members annually upon request and more.
WHAT BUSINESS PROMOTION DO I GET AT THE CORE LEVEL? AT THE ADVANTAGE LEVEL?
View pages 4 & 5 of this booklet for an in-depth look into the benefits available at each level.
ARE MEMBER NETWORKING EVENTS FREE FOR VENDOR MEMBERS TO ATTEND?
CRHA Flagship Events, such as the Annual Golf Classic & CRAZIES, are ticketed events. Vendor members & non-members may purchase tickets, tables, or sponsorships to gain entry. Most free networking events hosted by the CRHA are accessible for both restaurant and allied members, such as Night at the Capitol and CRAZIES Kickoff. In general, most other events are available for free to Advantage and Prime Partners, at a small fee for Core members, and not open to non-member vendors unless with sponsorship.
DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO SPONSOR CRHA EVENTS?
No. While vendors are encouraged to demonstrate their support of our industry through membership, one does not need to become a member to sponsor an event.
QUESTIONS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS A REVENUE SHARE. HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Revenue share opportunities are only available at the Advantage level or above. As a new member you must join at $2,500 as the program will take time to become established. If the revenue generated in year one surpasses $2,500, you may qualify for a revenue share only agreement and potential for upgraded benefits.
Advantage and Prime Partnership offer businesses the highest level of year-round visibility and brand promotion. I WANT TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE MY BUSINESS TO YOUR MEMBER BASE. WHAT IS THE BEST MEMBERSHIP LEVEL FOR ME?
WHAT IS PRIME PARTNERSHIP AND HOW DO I QUALIFY?
Prime Partnership is reserved for industry leaders who are highly engaged with the association. To qualify, Prime Partners must commit to an annual investment of at minimum $10,000. This investment can be fulfilled through a combination of partnership dues, sponsorship commitments, and contributions to our Foundation.
DO I QUALIFY
FOR OTHER
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS (LIKE RESTAURANTS DO)?
In most cases, yes. Please reach out to our membership team should you have questions about specific benefits.
DOES DUAL MEMBERSHIP FOR THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ALSO APPLY TO ALLIED MEMBERS?
No, dual membership with the National Restaurant Association is not a benefit of CRA Allied Membership. You can learn more about National Restuaurant Association membership here.
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED WITH THE
CRAZIES?
Vendors can participate at the CRAZIES by becoming a sponsor, contributing to our Foundation through a donation to our CRAZIES Silent Auction, or by simply attending the event to show support for the industry.
QUESTIONS?
A LA CARTE SPONSORSHIPS & ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association
Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation
BANNER AD
Prominent, high-visibility placement in CRHA broadcast emails reaching ~8,000 industry professionals. Ideal for promoting products, services, or offers.
ALLIED MEMBERS: $300
NON-MEMBERS: $500
SPONSORED EMAIL FEATURE
Integrated placement within a trusted CRHA broadcast email reaching ~8,000 industry professionals, aligning your brand alongside curated industry content and updates with strong open rates.
ALLIED MEMBERS: $500
NON-MEMBERS: $750
STANDALONE EMAIL
Dedicated email sent exclusively on behalf of your brand to ~8,000 industry professionals, supporting both awareness and conversion goals.
ALLIED MEMBERS: $1500
NON-MEMBERS: $2500
BLOG
CTRESTAURANT.ORG/NEWS
Feature a thought leadership article on CRHA’s blog, offering the opportunity to position your brand as an industry expert. Share insights, trends, and solutions relevant to hospitality operators.
Blogs are published and promoted through CRHA digital channels.
ALLIED MEMBERS: $300
NON-MEMBERS: $500
Advantage and Prime Allied
Members: As part of your partnership with the CRHA, your membership includes FREE thought leadership blog postings. Contact Katie for more information.
ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
The CRHA’s Golf Classic is a highly anticipated annual flagship event, bringing together hospitality operators and industry vendors from across the state for CT’s largest industry golf outing of the year!
Attendees enjoy a fantastic day of golf at Lyman Orchards Golf Club, all-day networking, food & drink activations throughout the event, followed by a Chef-led dinner.
This event is hugely popular and sells out every year, with sponsors benefitting from high visibility and promotion, while supporting the mission of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.
Tickets and sponsorships are LIVE for 2026. Click here for more information.
CRAZIES
The CRAZIES is Connecticut's premiere industry gala, celebrating the best-of-the-best in the restaurant & hospitality scene.
This unparalleled event brings together 1,500+ industry leaders, including restaurateurs, top chefs, bartenders, vendors, media, political figures, and influencers to honor the nominees and winners of 21 coveted CRAZIES awards for the lasting impact they've made on our industry.
With over 1 million social media views, major media coverage and 70+ sponsors, the CRAZIES is more than just an awards show - it's a night that celebrates, unites and elevates our hospitality community in Connecticut.
Whether it is the pre-event reception, awards dinner, or after party, the CRAZIES offers many different exceptional opportunities to spotlight your brand to a target audience of hospitality professionals.
See previous events and learn more at
BOARD MEETINGS
Position your brand at the center of industry leadership by sponsoring a CRHA Board Meeting. This opportunity places you in front of key decision-makers shaping the future of Connecticut’s hospitality industry.
CRHA Board Meetings are followed by high-impact industry networking events, designed exclusively for restaurant owners, hoteliers, and hospitality leaders to connect, collaborate, and strengthen relationships within our industry. A great opportunity for visbility and building connections with industry leaders.
BOARD MEETING SPONSOR
Sponsorship includes:
Invitation to attend Board Meeting
Opportunity to present to Board
Brand materials included in Board packets
Promotion as Board Meeting sponsor
Exclusive industry networking
$2500
