ASSOCIATION UPDATE

July 25, 2014- The LRA EXPO weekend hotel room blocks are all sold out. If you are still in need of a room, please visit the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau list of hotels here.

July 24, 2014- Online registration for the Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO will be shut down and moved onsite at the Convention Center on Friday, August 1. After that date, all registration must be done onsite at the EXPO. To register, click here.

July 23, 2014- Congress could be headed toward a rare moment of agreement. And it's on an issue that has a profound impact on restaurants: travel and tourism. Read more.

July 22, 2014- Practicing sustainability is good for the environment, but can also cut costs and drive profits for restaurants large and small. Read more.

July 21, 2014- Many restaurateurs already participate in food-donation programs because it's the right thing to do, but may not realize the associated financial benefits. Learn the three reasons why the "charitable giving" law is good for business. Read more.

July 16, 2014- The LRA Northwest Chapter is hosting its annual Clay Shoot Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Los Paloma Sporting Range in Benton, La. .12-Gauge Packages are $400 and .20-Gauge packages are $100. Click here for more info.

July 14, 2014- Notice of LRA Class A Members Annual Meeting- The LRA Annual Membership Meeting will take place Sunday, August 3, 2014 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 296-298 above Hall I at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. LRA Class A (Restaurant) members are invited to attend.

July 11, 2014- In its 11th year, the Great American Seafood Cook-Off is designed to promote domestic seafood, with chefs from states across the nation competing for the title of King or Queen of American Seafood, Saturday, August 2 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. Nearly 20 states' chefs will be competing, including Chef Aaron Burgau of Patois Restaurant in New Orleans. Read more.

July 10, 2014- The LRAEF Five Star Futures Gala is SOLD OUT of tickets. However, if you cannot attend the event, we ask that you consider sponsoring a scholarship recipient or a table of 10 recipients and their families to attend. By doing so, your sponsorship is completely tax-deductible and helps offset the costs to the LRA Education Foundation. Individual tickets are $125 and a table of 10 is $1,250. Call Alice Glenn today at (504) 454-2277 to take advantage of the recognition this exciting philanthropic opportunity holds.

July 8, 2014- Save the Date! The Greater New Orleans Chapter 30th Annual Golf Tournament will be Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Lakewood Golf Club in New Orleans.

July 7, 2014- The LRAEF Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, will award $61,000 in scholarships to 30 students to further their post-secondary culinary educations. The students will be presented with their awards at the 2014 LRAEF Five Star Futures Gala August 2, 2014 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Read more.

July 2, 2014- NRA Chair Ken Conrad will address the crowd and cut the ribbon to open the show at the Opening Ceremony of the 61st Annual Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO August 2 at 10:45 a.m. at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Hall I. Read more.

July 1, 2014- The LRA is pleased to announce this year's Restaurateurs of the Year, Hall of Fame Inductees, Associate Member of the Year and Advocate of the Year. The honorees will be recognized at the Five Star Futures Gala, Saturday, August 2, 2014, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Napoleon Ballroom, Hilton New Orleans Riverside. This annual event benefits the LRA Education Foundation. See the winners here.


IMPORTANT NEWS
Important reminder: Any foodservice establishment having food and/or beverage sales in Orleans Parish and the New Orleans International Airport and has $200,000 or more in taxable food and/or beverage sales in the preceding year MUST COLLECT the New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority tax. For sales $200,000 to $499,999, the rate of tax is 0.5 percent and for sales $500,000 or more, the rate of tax is 0.75 percent. Monthly returns must be filed on the 20th day of the month following the month being reported. Click here for more info.

The Obama Administration recently announced that employers with 50-99 employees will receive Affordable Care Act transition relief. These employers have until 2016 to comply with the employer-mandate rule. Read more.

Effective January 1, 2014, the IRS will classify an automatic gratuity as a service charge, not a tip. The IRS regards service charges as regular wages, which must be reported for payroll tax withholding. This rule was issued in June 2012, but implementation has been delayed until now. Read this informative article about what is defined as a tip, what to tell your staff and why you may opt to eliminate automatic gratuities in the future.