Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA)
Ellen Ethridge has a diverse background with extensive experience in administrative roles across various sectors. Currently serving as an Assistant at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association since May 2022, Ellen also owns Balloons by Design of Tallahassee, Florida, established in March 2011. Previous positions include Administrative Assistant at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where work supported the Affordable Housing Team, and a Research Assistant/Computer Programmer Analyst at the Department of Education. Additional experience includes serving as a Legal Assistant at the Office of the Public Defender from February 2014 to July 2018. Ellen Ethridge's educational background includes attendance at Tallahassee State College.
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA)
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.4 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.