PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Spring 2020

6 •  PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters  •  Spring 2020 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE AS A TRAINED BREWMASTER, I was immediately struck by an awful irony within this COVID-19 pandemic we have been confronted with. As a destructive, uncontrolled microbe wreaked havoc on our bodies, communities, and industries, I reflected on the benevolent microbe that underpins a brewery and taproom’s operations, yeast. As the catalyst of fermentation, yeast should be considered as a critical colleague to most hospitality operations. At Victory Brewing Company we treat our yeast like a team member. Feeding it with the highest quality malted barleys while observing strict sanitation regimes to ensure its operating environment is pristine. It, in turn, yields a delicious beverage upon which our livelihoods are predicated. So, you’ll probably excuse me as I hold yeast in high regard as being ‘good,’ while I curse the microbe that has ground our collective hospitality operations to a halt as ‘bad.’ Good and bad are assessments we humans make based on facts and emotions that microbes do not have the capability of contemplating. All of their activity, whether destructive or benevolent to humans, is based simply on the colony’s needs for survival. In this respect, especially in this moment, we humans can’t claim to be so very different from microbes. Yet, in my opinion, it is our distinctly human capabilities of reason, compassion, and intellect that will move us past this crisis and make our hospitality ‘colony’ stronger. Tourism, lodging, and foodservice function as an interdependent community. We look after one another’s interests with reason, compassion, and intellect. Lots of compassion. Over the 13 years I have been involved with the PRLA, I can attest that we function as a smart and considerate group, ensuring that the majority interests are represented and fully supported. We move forward based on the needs of the collective, while a myriad of individual interests and circumstances are respected and considered. It is this multi- dimensional strength that will power our recovery as the hospitality industry that brightens all humans’ lives. Share your voice. Share your energy. This colony is yours. Sincerely, Editor’s Note: Tim Zugger has accepted a new opportunity out-of-state and therefore has stepped down as PRLA’s 2020 chairman of the board. We wish Tim the best in his new position. Bill Covaleski, as prescribed in PRLA Bylaws, has agreed to serve as acting chairman for the remainder of Tim’s term. “Share your voice. Share your energy. This colony is yours.” Bill Covaleski Founder, Victory Brewing Company Downingtown