New York City Hospitality Alliance

What New York City Hospitality Alliance does

The New York City Hospitality Alliance is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 2012 by Executive Director Andrew Rigie to represent New York City's restaurant, bar, nightclub, catering, and boutique hotel industries across all five boroughs. The organization operates an advocacy-and-services model rather than a technology platform: it generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership dues (ranging from $365 for single-unit operators to $10,000 for multi-establishment groups and starting at $5,000 for Corporate Members), supplemented by event sponsorships (Alliance Awards, State of the Industry Conference), Marketplace advertising for product and service providers, and a separate 501(c)(3) Impact Foundation launched in 2023 that funds food relief, culinary scholarships, and workforce training through donor contributions. Core offerings include government affairs and lobbying (with Rigie chairing the NYC Nightlife Advisory Board and the organization having helped create the NYC Office of Nightlife), a hospitality helpline, the Energy Savings Group (up to 30% energy cost reduction), a Member Marketplace directory, training and webinars (notably with Fox Rothschild), a weekly Hospitality & Politics podcast, and the annual NYC Hospitality Alliance Awards. The organization is governed by a board of NYC operators, supported by 1-10 employees, and works alongside long-standing legal counsel (Pesetsky & Bookman) and government affairs partner (Yoswein New York) to deliver regulatory wins — including preservation of the tip credit, Open Restaurants program support during COVID-19 (credited with saving 100,000+ jobs), and Letter Grade fine reform (~$50 million in annual small-business savings).

Name

New York City Hospitality Alliance

Legal name

New York City Hospitality Alliance

Website

https://thenycalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The New York City Hospitality Alliance is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 2012 that advocates for and serves NYC's restaurants, bars, nightclubs, caterers, and boutique hotels through tiered memberships, government affairs, events, and a separate Impact Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards (THAHAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gala, Fundraiser & Nonprofit Event Catering (THAHAKAF)

Keywords

• Hospitality industry association
• Restaurant advocacy services
• Nightlife trade group
• Industry membership organization
• Government affairs lobbying

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates primary revenue through annual and monthly membership dues from hospitality operators (restaurants, bars, nightclubs) and corporate members (product/service providers to the hospitality industry). Membership tiers range from $365/year (5 Boro, single-unit) to $10,000/year (Gotham, 5+ establishments), and corporate membership starts at $5,000+/year with customized packages available.
2. Event Sponsorships and Ticket Sales: Revenue is generated through sponsorship packages for flagship events including the NYC Hospitality Alliance Awards (A Bash for the Boros), the State of the Industry Conference at the NY Restaurant Show, and other member events. Sponsors receive branding, advertising, and access to hospitality industry leaders.
3. Marketplace Advertising: Corporate members are featured in the Alliance's Marketplace, an exclusive online buyers' guide for NYC hospitality professionals. Corporate members also receive dedicated email features, banner advertising, and personalized referrals to members requesting their products or services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The NYC Hospitality Alliance is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that sells tiered membership plans to NYC restaurants, bars, nightclubs, caterers, and boutique hotels, as well as Corporate Memberships to product/service providers. Its core offerings include government affairs advocacy (lobbying on labor, liquor, tip credit, and regulatory matters), member benefits (Energy Savings Group, helpline, trainings, marketplace directory), and signature events (Alliance Awards, State of the Industry Conference, webinars). It also operates the Impact Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity focused on food relief, culinary scholarships, and workforce training.

Product overview

The NYC Hospitality Alliance is a membership-based industry association serving NYC's restaurant and nightlife sector (25,000+ establishments). Its core product architecture consists of membership programs (Hospitality Membership tiers and Corporate Membership), supplemented by advocacy services (Government Affairs), member benefits (Energy Savings Group, Hospitality Helpline, Trainings & Education, Member Marketplace, Newsletter), events (State of the Industry Conference, Alliance Awards, New York Restaurant Show, webinars), a podcast (Hospitality & Politics), and a charitable Impact Foundation (501(c)(3)). The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform; its offerings are membership services, advocacy, events, educational content, and a nonprofit charitable foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospitality Membership Tiered annual membership for NYC restaurants, bars, nightclubs, caterers, and boutique hotels with plans ranging from $365 to $10,000 per year, providing access to advocacy, energy savings up to 30%, a hospitality helpline, industry alerts, training, events, and member marketplace discounts.
• Corporate Membership Membership for product or service providers to the hospitality industry starting at $5,000 per year with customized partnership options, providing marketplace visibility, e-newsletter features, personalized referrals, exclusive member events, and sponsorship discounts.
• Government Affairs & Advocacy Policy advocacy service fighting for pro-hospitality legislation in New York City and NY State government, covering labor laws, tip credit, liquor licensing, outdoor dining, fines, regulatory reform, and workforce policy.
• Hospitality & Politics Podcast

Quantifiable outcome

• $50 million in annual fines saved for small businesses through advocacy wins
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Emma's TorchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmma's Torch is a nonprofit culinary training and workforce development organization. The Impact Foundation funds training grants for Emma's Torch programs that equip New Yorkers with essential culinary and hospitality skills, creating clear pathways to employment and strengthening communities through workforce development and job placement.
• Queens TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueens Together is a nonprofit supporting Queens' restaurant community. The Impact Foundation partners with Queens Together to deliver meals to communities facing food insecurity, sustaining local businesses and preserving jobs while addressing hunger.
• The Open Table FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Impact Foundation partners with The Open Table Foundation to support food relief efforts, helping deliver meals to communities facing food insecurity while sustaining local restaurant businesses.
• Blue Star FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Impact Foundation partnered with Blue Star Families on food relief initiatives, helping deliver meals prepared by neighborhood restaurants to military families and communities in need.
• Loisaida CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Impact Foundation partners with the Loisaida Center to support food relief and community programs in the Lower East Side community of Manhattan.
• Hospitality Bank (HBK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Impact Foundation partners with Hospitality Bank (HBK), a nonprofit financial services organization for the hospitality industry, to support workforce training and community programs.
• American Society of Brewing Leaders (ASBL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Impact Foundation partners with the American Society of Brewing Leaders, which works to support education, networking, and professional development in the beverage industry.
• Fox Rothschild LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox Rothschild is a law firm providing employment and privacy law expertise. Carolyn Richmond (Chair of Fox Rothschild's Hospitality Practice) and Glenn Grindlinger provide webinars, legal guidance, and counsel to Alliance members on topics including immigration, wage and hour compliance, privacy protection, and workforce management.
• Pesetsky & BookmancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRobert S. Bookman (co-founder and counsel) and Max Bookman (partner) serve as General & Legislative Counsel to the Alliance, handling general legal matters and legislative/regulatory issues affecting bars and restaurants in NYC and NY State.
• Yoswein New YorkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYoswein New York is a boutique government affairs and public affairs consulting firm providing government relations services to the Alliance, leveraging expertise in NYC and NY State government.
• NY Japanese Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance collaborates with the NY Japanese Restaurant Association as part of its broader coalition-building efforts to address industry needs and protect the future of NYC hospitality.
• Rockwell Group (DineOut NYC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance partnered with Rockwell Group to launch DineOut NYC, a nonprofit providing pro bono outdoor dining spaces for communities hardest hit by pandemic shutdowns.
• MTAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance partnered with the MTA on the #TakeTheTrain #TakeTheBus campaign celebrating 24/7 subway service and supporting hospitality workers and guests.
• OutSmart NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance partnered with OutSmart NYC to support safer nightlife through free sexual violence prevention and bystander training, plus resources for staff, managers, and owners of hospitality venues.
• NYC Office of NightlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance spearheaded the creation of the NYC Office of Nightlife and its Executive Director Andrew Rigie serves as Chair of the NYC Nightlife Advisory Board. The Office serves as a central intermediary between city agencies, law enforcement, residents, and the nightlife industry.
• NYPDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance collaborated with the NYPD to create the first-of-its-kind Best Practices Handbook for nightlife establishments to help keep guests and staff safe while supporting responsible operations. The handbook has become a model for similar partnerships worldwide.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• American Hotel & Lodging Association: National trade association representing the hotel and lodging industry, including boutique and lifestyle hotels. The Alliance's boutique-hotel members and lodging-adjacent advocacy (short-term rental, labor) overlap with AHLA's broader portfolio.
• National Restaurant Association: The largest U.S. restaurant trade association, operating nationally with state and city chapters. Overlaps with the Alliance on federal advocacy, training, and operator membership benefits, but the Alliance's NYC-specific focus and Office of Nightlife positioning differentiate it.
• James Beard Foundation: National nonprofit advancing the culinary arts through awards, scholarships, policy, and industry programming. Shares the Alliance's mission of strengthening restaurant and chef communities and runs overlapping policy and workforce-training initiatives.

Direct peers

• New York State Restaurant Association: Statewide trade association representing New York's restaurant industry. Founder Andrew Rigie served as EVP of its NYC operations before launching the Alliance in 2012; the two compete directly for the same operator and supplier dues pool across overlapping NYC/Hudson Valley segments.
• Independent Restaurant Coalition: National advocacy coalition formed during COVID-19 to represent independent restaurants in federal policy. Mirrors the Alliance's advocacy-first model for independent operators, with overlapping government-affairs goals on labor costs and outdoor dining.
• NY Japanese Restaurant Association: Active coalition partner of the Alliance representing Japanese and Asian-cuisine restaurants across the five boroughs. Comparable member-driven advocacy model focused on NYC operators with shared legislative and regulatory priorities.
• New York Nightlife Association: NYC nightlife-focused trade association co-founded by Robert Bookman (current General Counsel of the Alliance). Targets the same bars, clubs, and nightlife venues in the five boroughs and shares counsel and legislative relationships with the Alliance.

Others

• NYC Tourism + Conventions: Official destination-marketing organization for New York City, with which the Alliance collaborates on workforce training, culinary promotion, and hospitality ecosystem development. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a dues competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thenycalliance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheNYCalliance
• Facebookfacebook.com/thenycalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nycalliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/thenycalliance/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York City Hospitality Alliance