An unforgettable evening celebrating Ohio's best & brightest!

The annual Industry Awards Celebration is an opportunity for the Ohio Restaurant Association to focus on the hard work, commitment and outstanding professional & community services of our members. The evening is dedicated to recognizing the importance of the extraordinary contributions and innovative ideas our industry brings through technology, charitable contributions, transformative products and dedication to education.

The 2021 Industry Awards Celebration was held
virtually July 15, 2021.

Watch our 2021 Industry Awards Celebration!

Click here to view the 2021 Industry Awards Celebration Event Program

READ Frank's Full Bio of musical accomplishments

Frank J Myers performed at this year's Industry Awards Celebration. And it was great!

In partnership with our preferred vendor BMI, Frank helped us celebrate Ohio's restaurant & foodservice community.

Frank is from Dayton, Ohio and got his start in Nashville in 1981 as band leader, road manager and lead guitarist for Eddy Raven in 1981. It was during his time with Eddy Raven that Frank met Gary Baker. They had their first number one together in 1993 with Once Upon A Lifetime by Alabama. Gary and Frank recorded one album for MCG/Curb Records as Baker & Myers and were 3 time nominees for Duo Of The Year at the ACM’s and CMA’s. Their greatest accomplishment as writers together came when John Michael Montgomery recorded I Swear which was number one for 4 weeks on the Country charts. The song was then recorded by All 4 One and went to number one on the pop charts and stayed there for 11 weeks. Since then, I Swear has won multiple awards.

Congratulations to our 2021 winners!

Hall of Fame

The Claude F. Morton Lifetime Achievement

Outstanding Vendor

Outstanding Public Official

Outstanding Educator

Ohio ProStart Student of the Year

Industry Innovator

Tech Titan

Rising Star

Nourishing the Community

ORA Ambassador

Award Categories

The Claude F. Morton, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: The ORA’s highest award given to one restaurateur for exceptional lifetime service to the restaurant industry and his/her community. Nominees must have been an ORA member for 10+ years.

Outstanding Vendor Award: A company recognized for its exceptional service to the restaurant community.

Outstanding Public Official Award: This award honors public officials who fight for the best interest of small business owners and the restaurant community.

Outstanding Industry Educator: This award honors an educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement of the Ohio foodservice industry.

Ohio ProStart Student of the Year: Outstanding ProStart student that embodies ProStart Core Values of leadership, passion, and community and shows great promise and aptitude for a future career in the foodservice industry.

Industry Innovator: This award is presented to an individual or company that has applied a new product or creative approach, resulting in the growth or transformation of their business.

Tech Titan: Recognizing an individual or organization for their use of technology to enhance their business or impact the foodservice industry.

Rising Star: Honors an emerging leader in the foodservice industry – one whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.

Nourishing the Community: Recognizing an individual or organization for their outstanding contributions through community service or charitable involvement.

The Ohio Restaurant Association Hall of Fame: Given to an individual or entity that has operated in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality business in Ohio for at least 25 years and is a member of the ORA.