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

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 collects the $10 donation, and then 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. ​
WHAT IS PROSTART WEEKEND? 
ProStart Weekend is a signature event brought to you by the CT Restaurant Association and its philanthropic 501c3, the CT Hospitality Educational Foundation. ProStart is a high school culinary program that reaches over 2,200 students in Connecticut. Your participation and donation will support the future of the hospitality industry.

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 20 and receive these additional benefits!
  • ​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 or coupon (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.