As Memphis moves into one of the busiest seasons of the year for hospitality, the momentum across our industry continues to build. From major community events and advocacy updates to networking opportunities, workforce training, and member engagement initiatives, there is a great deal happening across the Memphis Restaurant Association this spring and summer.
In this month’s newsletter, we’re looking ahead to MRA Family & Friends Night at the Overton Park Shell on June 4th, our Inaugural 9 Ball Doubles Pool Tournament coming August 22nd, and early preparations for the annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament this fall. We’re also highlighting the energy surrounding Memphis in May BBQ Fest weekend, sharing important updates from the close of Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly, and spotlighting upcoming opportunities through TNHTA Gov Con and Welcome 2 Memphis hospitality workforce training initiatives.
As always, thank you for continuing to invest in this industry and in each other. The strength of the Memphis hospitality community has always come from the relationships, collaboration, and shared voice behind it — and we’re excited about what’s ahead.
MRA FRIENDS & FAMILY NIGHT AT THE SHELL (JUNE 4)
Join us on June 4 for one of our most anticipated community events—MRA Friends & Family Night at the Overton Park Shell. Your ticket gives you access to our exclusive MRA deck, featuring a cash bar, great food, and one of the best atmospheres Memphis has to offer.
This is the perfect night to bring your team, your family, or your industry friends and enjoy a relaxed evening together.
The strength of the Memphis Restaurant Association has always come from our members—and the relationships behind them. If you know a restaurant, supplier, or operator who should be part of this network, now is the time to bring them in.
We’re launching a limited-time Membership Challenge to grow our community with the right people—those who care about this industry and want to be part of its future. For every new member you refer who joins, you’ll receive a $50 credit toward an MRA event or your membership renewal—and if you refer three new members, you’ll earn a free ticket to one of our upcoming events.
All referred members must complete their membership signup on the MRA website by July 1, 2026 for referrals to qualify. Please reach out to Ronna to confirm the referral has signed up!
Let’s grow this together.
👉 Refer a Member Today
Challenge runs through July 1, 2026
INAUGURAL 9 BALL DOUBLES TOURNAMENT (AUGUST 22)
We’re bringing something brand new to the table—the Inaugural MRA 9 Ball Doubles Tournament on August 22. This event pairs MRA members with skilled pool players for a competitive, high-energy tournament designed to build connections and create a completely different kind of networking experience.
Whether you’re stepping up to play or coming or sponsoring, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Investing in Hospitality Teams Starts with Training
The Memphis Restaurant Association is proud to continue partnering with Welcome to Memphis to help strengthen and support the people who power our hospitality industry every single day.
Their training programs are built specifically for hospitality professionals and are designed to help restaurant teams improve customer service, strengthen workplace culture, deepen local knowledge, and create better guest experiences across the board. Programs like Memphis Rocks, HR Matters, and the Insiders Tours give both frontline staff and leadership teams practical tools that can immediately impact service and retention.
For operators, this is one of the easiest ways to invest in your team without reinventing the wheel. Whether you’re onboarding new employees, developing managers, or simply looking to sharpen your guest experience ahead of a busy season, these programs are worth exploring.
We strongly encourage MRA members to take advantage of these opportunities and get their teams involved.
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest Is Here
One of Memphis’ biggest hospitality weekends has officially arrived with the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest taking over the riverfront. This iconic event continues to showcase the energy, creativity, and hospitality that make Memphis one of the greatest food cities in the country.
Many Memphis Restaurant Association members will be competing, hosting tents, and representing the industry throughout the weekend, and attending the event is a great way to support one another’s efforts during one of the city’s most competitive and high-profile hospitality events of the year.
Whether you’re stopping by to network, support fellow operators, entertain guests, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, this weekend is an incredible reminder of how much talent exists within the Memphis hospitality community.
NFIB Recap: Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly Comes to a Close
As the 114th Tennessee General Assembly officially adjourns, the Memphis Restaurant Association encourages members to stay informed on legislative developments impacting restaurants and small businesses across the state. Our partners at the National Federation of Independent Business have released a strong recap outlining several of the key issues, reforms, and business-related measures addressed during this year’s session.
According to National Federation of Independent Business, this legislative session included major conversations surrounding regulatory reform, workforce and labor policies, legal protections for businesses, and efforts to reduce unnecessary burdens on Tennessee small business owners. The organization also highlighted continued work around government accountability and oversight tied to future business regulations.
For restaurant operators and hospitality businesses, these statewide conversations matter. Policy decisions made in Nashville continue to directly impact labor, operations, compliance, and the long-term business climate for Tennessee’s hospitality industry.
The MRA will continue working alongside partners like National Federation of Independent Business and other advocacy groups to help ensure the restaurant industry maintains a strong voice at both the state and local levels.
The Memphis hospitality industry has always stepped up when the community needs it most, and Le Bon Appétit is a powerful example of that impact in action. Hosted by Memphis culinary leader and local super chef Kelly English, the organization is dedicated to fighting food insecurity and reducing food waste by rescuing quality food and redirecting it to individuals and families who need it most.
Their work reflects the very best of the hospitality industry: service, compassion, and community leadership. Whether through donations, volunteer support, partnerships, or advocacy, organizations like this remind us that restaurants and hospitality professionals play a critical role far beyond the walls of their businesses.
We encourage our members to learn more about the mission of Le Bon Appétit and explore ways to get involved. Memphis hospitality has always been built on taking care of people, and this organization is doing exactly that every single day.
Don’t Wait — The Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament Always Sells Out
The 18th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament returns this October, and if you’ve attended before, you already know this is one of the most anticipated hospitality events of the year.
Teams and sponsorships are already becoming a hot commodity, and this tournament historically sells out every single year. If you’re planning to play, sponsor, entertain clients, or get your company involved, now is the time to secure your spot before availability disappears.
Beyond the competition itself, the tournament is one of the best networking days of the year for the Memphis hospitality industry, bringing together restaurant owners, operators, suppliers, distributors, and partners for a full day of connection, competition, and community.
We strongly encourage members not to wait until the last minute on team registrations or sponsorship opportunities.
The annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism (Gov Con), produced by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TNHTA) in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development brings together representatives of the state’s travel and tourism industry, including attractions, hoteliers, restaurateurs, destination management/marketing organizations, tour operators, educational institutions offering tourism/hospitality programs, tourism-related government agencies, and suppliers of goods and services of the tourism industry.
Momentum is building across the Memphis restaurant community—and the MRA is at the center of it. From advocacy to events to industry recognition, we’re continuing to create opportunities that move our members forward.
