Sponsorships

BUILD BRAND AWARENESS
​The Wisconsin Restaurant Association and its Education Foundation offer a wide range of sponsorships that deliver on your key business objectives. 

Are you looking to network with industry decision makers? Support future foodservice leaders? Expand awareness for your products and services? Grow loyalty for your brand? 
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We offer a range of customized solutions to help you achieve your specific business goals. Sales and marketing opportunities range from traditional sponsorships to unique partnerships at a variety of commitment levels.

Foodservice & Hospitality Industry
​Marketing Planner

…Brand new benefits!
When you’re a member of WRA, you’re communicating to food and beverage professionals that you care about the restaurant and hospitality industry.

WRA represents every size and style of foodservice establishment in Wisconsin. As a supplier member, you’ll improve your reach to potential prospects, build stronger relationships in the industry, enhance your image and instantly access key business resources.

Membership tiers are structured as sales and marketing packages that you can choose from that fit your company’s business goals as well as budget. Membership tiers range from $599 - $5,000 for an annual investment. 

In addition to supporting an organization that is helping shape the future of our industry, we also have built benefits that help you make business connections with food and beverage operators as well as build brand recognition in Wisconsin.

Marketing Planner

Event Sponsors

VISIBILITY AT FUN EVENTS
Throughout the year, WRA hosts a number of annual outings and events across Wisconsin to raise funds for three key programs: our Education Foundation, the Wisconsin Restaurant Advocacy Fund and WRA-PAC. These events are great opportunities to network, have fun and gain visibility as a backer of industry education and important legislative programs.

Event sponsors enjoy pronounced brand exposure, with a small dollar investment and time commitment. Rewards for support can range from hole sponsorship at a golf outing to a table sponsor at an industry dinner, up to the highest level as a title sponsor with run of event recognition.

Some of our annual events include:

• Caucus Dinner in September
• Golf: EF ProStart Classic in June
• Wisconsin Food & Hospitality Expo in March
• Cheers to Hospitality: a consumer event
• Women in Hospitality Conference in September
• Sporting Clays: Southern Shootout in May and Fall Shootout in October
• Restaurant Insights Summit in October

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We encourage you to support the restaurant and foodservice industry by attending the event as a participant, engage in sponsorship opportunities (as low as $200) and donate silent auction items or raffle prizes.

Wisconsin ProStart® Program

CONNECT WITH THE FUTURE
Wisconsin ProStart is an industry-created culinary and management program that introduces students to careers in foodservice. The program is offered in more than 100 Wisconsin high schools and reaches 6,300+ students each year. Annual culinary and management competitions, part of the ProStart Invitational, are held each Spring. 

Sponsors of ProStart invest in the industry's future. Whether your goal is to get in front of potential employees or position your brand with tomorrow's buyers, you'll be among the first organizations these future leaders turn to in a professional setting. You'll also earn valuable PR as a supporter of a feel-good program.

Help ensure a vibrant and robust workforce—contact our team to discuss opportunities to support Wisconsin’s ProStart Program.

Contact Connie

Affiliation with Feel-good Programs

GIVING BACK TO EDUCATION
Would you like to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tomorrow’s foodservice leaders? 

Be recognized as a philanthropic organization as you provide opportunities for students supported by WRA Education Foundation programs.

Wisconsin's ProStart Program, the ProStart Invitational, the ProStart Career & Industry Expo for students and WRA student membership all work to nurture future food, beverage, hospitality and nutrition professionals. These programs offer education, training and scholarship opportunities to individuals just entering the profession.

By sponsoring these programs, you'll bond your company name to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and support programs that are "doing good" for the future of our industry.

Donate

GIVING CAMPAIGN
During the month of December, the WRA Education Foundation hosts a year-end Giving Campaign to support the Foundation’s education and training programs. In addition to direct contributions, we also offer a “matching donor” opportunity that generates substantial public relations coverage for our partners. 
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Contact our team to learn how you can “Give Back” to our industry.

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Sponsor Student Members

COLLEGE ACCESS
Want to connect with and introduce your company to tomorrow’s future leaders? A partnership with our WRA Student Member program gives you direct access to students pursuing degrees in foodservice. WRA student members are the most involved students—and will be the future owners and managers of foodservice operations.   
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Contact our team to connect with the brightest talent and tomorrow’s leaders.

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Career Expo for Students

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TODAY
The WRA Education Foundation’s Career & Industry Expo introduces hundreds of high school students to careers in foodservice and builds their skills through fun, interactive and educational experiences. Sponsoring this event gives your company direct access to potential employees and future leaders of the foodservice and hospitality industry.
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Contact our team to learn more about participating in the Expo.

Learn More