The Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s Women in Hospitality Conference was joyful, energizing, and inspiring. It brought together women from across the hospitality industry at Monona Terrace in Madison on September 28 for a day of learning, recognition, and connection. And yes, we got to hold puppies (more on that below).
Key takeaways at a glance
- Don’t wait to be chosen. Create your own opportunities and build your influence.
- Mentors matter. Seek them out, and be specific when you ask for help.
- Share your “mistakes” openly. Learning without shame is a leadership skill.
- Hard conversations are part of leading. Address performance and conflict directly and early.
- Community is a career strategy. Reaching out is easier, and more rewarding, than it feels.
Celebrating the Top 20 Women to Watch in Hospitality
It was an honor to be there as the WRA recognized its Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch. This year’s program also introduced two new award categories, Rising Star and Student Achievement. Seeing these women walk the stage was a reminder of how much talent is shaping Wisconsin’s hospitality industry.
Conference panels: leadership and career lessons for hospitality professionals
The recognition was only the start. The sessions let us hear directly from women leading in the industry and take home lessons we can put to work right away. Topics included:
- Don’t Wait to Be Chosen: How to Create Opportunities, Build Influence & Accelerate Your Career
- Building Leaders from Within: How Benson’s Restaurant Group Develops, Retains & Elevates Future Leaders
- Speak Up, Show Up: Communicating with Confidence in Hospitality
- Accountability Conversations Leaders Avoid: How Strong Leaders Address Performance, Conflict & Tough Decisions
- Lead Without Losing Yourself
- Work Smarter, Lead Better: Practical AI Strategies for Hospitality Leaders
- The Career Conversations We Wish We Had Earlier: Real Lessons, Hard Truths & Career Advice from Hospitality Leaders
- Rethinking Growth: Building Career Paths That Work for Small Businesses
- After the Rush: The Life Behind the Work
Watching my mentor lead a panel
I had the honor of watching my mentor and director, Carissa Remitz, moderate The Career Conversations We Wish We Had Earlier. It was packed with practical career advice, especially for women, on finding a mentor, measuring success, and dealing with fear.
What stood out most was watching a group of strong, successful women talk openly about their mistakes, without shame, so the rest of us could learn from them. The rapport and community they created in that room was inspiring.
Setting my personal bias aside, the other panels were just as valuable. I walked out energized and motivated, and, unexpectedly, excited to reach out to people and ask for help.
The marketplace, headshots, and a puppy break
Between sessions, we explored the marketplace, sharing about our company and learning about others. (Yes, there was plenty of swag and samples, always welcome.) It felt like recess between classes with our very own professors of hospitality.
The WRA clearly put thought into the experience. Thanks to Vollrath, attendees could stop by a complimentary professional headshot lounge. And for a quick dose of joy, there was a break with Culver’s cheese curds and three adoptable puppies from Shelter from the Storm. A few people likely went home with more than a good memory, since the puppies were up for adoption.
Kristina Dellorto
Marketing Manager, Midwest Foods
She designs the communications that bring the company’s story to customers and helps chefs and foodservice partners discover seasonal and local products. She develops catalogs, sales sheets, emails, social content, and events. With a master’s in psychology and a passion for people, she writes about hospitality, connection, and career growth.
