Chair of the Board: Being Optimistic
By: Jean Lanfear | March 2025
Optimism is a source of power. An optimist believes that the outcomes of events will generally be positive. Even when it seems like nothing is going their way, the optimist manages to look beyond the surface of adversity and find within it a deeper meaning. Optimism is the key to supercharging your resilience.
None of us would be in this business if we were not resilient. Coming off one of the most industry-challenging past 12 months has shown us what resilience is all about. The final legislative compromise on preserving a tip credit in the minimum wage law and modifying portions of the paid leave time law, while certainly not ideal, is a miracle to behold given the political context in which the tense negotiations took place. Justin Winslow and John McNamara led us all through what is nothing short of a magnificent victory, and this reprieve will give us all an opportunity to regroup and plan our next couple of years with a clearer financial vision and a bit more certainty.
None of us would be in this business if we were not resilient. Coming off one of the most industry-challenging past 12 months has shown us what resilience is all about. The final legislative compromise on preserving a tip credit in the minimum wage law and modifying portions of the paid leave time law, while certainly not ideal, is a miracle to behold given the political context in which the tense negotiations took place. Justin Winslow and John McNamara led us all through what is nothing short of a magnificent victory, and this reprieve will give us all an opportunity to regroup and plan our next couple of years with a clearer financial vision and a bit more certainty.
With six years of ballot and Supreme Court issues in our rear-view mirror, we have lots to look forward to this spring and summer. The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association will showcase the industry’s innovation at the 2025 Michigan Hospitality Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in April, an amazing Golf Outing is on the books for June, and the Summer Board Meeting will be held in July at the Highlands of Harbor Springs. These events will give us time to come together to reflect, collaborate, and celebrate our new legislative “wins”
All eyes should also be focused on Capitol Day, which is scheduled for June. I, for one, will have a much different perspective on the mission as we speak to legislators and seek to develop relationships with them beyond our one-day visit. I believe that this last year has taught us all that “relationships matter,” and they will be ever more important as we continue to combat any threats to our industry. Indeed, we have lots to be optimistic about this year, and I look forward to seeing all of you in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Jean Lanfear
Patton Wings LLC
MRLA Chairman
Jean Lanfear
Patton Wings LLC
MRLA Chairman
