PROSTART WEEKEND 2023  |  March 1 - 5, 2023 
SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY DURING PROSTART WEEKEND 

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PROSTART WEEKEND is a signature event hosted by the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant Association to support the CT ProStart Program and the foundation. 

ProStart is the two-year career-building program for high school students. Whether students are looking to enter the job market directly after graduating, or if they plan to attend college, a ProStart graduate makes a solid candidate for success. 

The program reaches over 2,200 students in Connecticut. Your donation will support the future of the hospitality industry.

​ProStart Weeekend will kick off on March 1 as CT ProStart teams  from across the state compete in a high school culinary and restaurant management competition at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford. Students will go on to compete at the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, DC in May. 

SUPPORT THE CT PROSTART PROGRAM DURING PROSTART WEEKEND

  • Restaurants promote ProStart Weekend to their customers asking them to donate $10. 
  • Customers receive a $10 gift card to the restaurant to use on a return visit.*
  • Restaurant donates proceeds from the weekend to the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation.
  • March 1 to 5: Launching the day of the the CT ProStart Invitational, March 1 to March 5. ​

BENEFITS

All participating restaurants receive:
  • Link to your RESTAURANT  on the CRA ProStart Weekend webpage. 
  • Promotion of ProStart Weekend by CHEF and CRA.​
  • Branded event poster for window display.
  • Social media shout out between February 15 - March 1.
  • Restaurant name listed on banner at Connecticut ProStart Invitational Event on March 1 at Dunkin' Donuts Park. 
  • Restaurant name listed in post event press release.
  • Feeling of pride knowing your tax-deductible contribution is helping to support the development of next generation restaurant industry leaders.
Early Bird Incentive:
​     Sign up by Feb 10 and receive these additional benefits!
  • Restaurant name listed on branded event poster for window display
  • ​Restaurant name listed in press release ​

REQUIREMENTS

  • Promote ProStart Weekend before and during the event. 
  • Collect $10 from donors. 
  • Donate all donations collected to the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation by March 30, 2023. The donation is a tax-deductible donation to benefit the Connecticut Hospitality Education Foundation, the non-profit 501(c)3, philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA). Its mission is to enhance the restaurant industry’s service to the public by developing a well-educated, well-trained workforce. CHEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry through education for future restaurant industry professionals, workforce development opportunities and scholarships. CHEF is dedicated to the development of future restaurant industry leaders through educational programs like ProStart, a two year culinary and management program for high school students.
  • You may set requirements for use of the gift card (to be used on $50 minimum purchase, for example). 
PROMOTION IDEAS
  • Encourage staff to promote the initiative by offering prizes or other incentives. 
  • Do you have multiple restaurants? Have locations compete for the most donations collected! 
  • Want to support CT ProStart year round? Extend the promotion! 

QUESTIONS

For any questions about PROSTART WEEKEND, please email conkling​@ctrestaurant.org or call 860.278.8008 x 101.