Iowa Latino Hospitality Council

What Iowa Latino Hospitality Council does

The Iowa Latino Hospitality Council (ILHC / Consejo de Hospitalidad Latina de Iowa) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association that serves Latino-owned and Latino-operated hospitality businesses and Spanish-speaking hospitality workers across the state of Iowa. Launched by the Iowa Restaurant Association, it addresses a demographic that owns roughly 10% of Iowa restaurants and historically faced language and certification barriers. The organization's product surface is built around an annual membership ($210 first restaurant, $90 per additional, with a first-year 50% promotional rate), ServSafe Food Protection Manager and Responsible Alcohol Service certifications delivered in Spanish, a self-paced Cursos Libres catalog ($70–$100 per course on customer service and allergy management), and community event products including Iowa Latino Restaurant Week (a 9-day culinary celebration with 20 participating restaurants at $190–$250 each) and the Copa de Restaurantes Latinos Iowa soccer tournament ($500 team / $50 individual registration). Underlying technology is a WooCommerce-based e-commerce website with bilingual Spanish/English content, Constant Contact email, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels; no proprietary platform, mobile app, or AI components are evidenced.

The Council monetizes through five revenue streams: recurring membership dues, one-time course fees, event participation fees, recurring corporate sponsorship (Aliados tiers at $750–$1,500), and tax-deductible donations. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on bilingual outreach, monthly owner meetings held at the Iowa Restaurant Association office in West Des Moines, presentations at the Latino Trade Network, and earned media. Primary customer segments are SMB Latino restaurant owners in Iowa and Spanish-speaking hospitality workers seeking certifications; secondary segments include Latino culinary students reached through the Iowa ProStart competition. Distribution is direct via website self-serve and field via the Iowa Restaurant Association office, with a hospitality-focused job board as an additional channel. Organizational capacity is constrained to a single Director (Giovanna Rodriguez) and a seven-member voluntary Board of Directors drawn from restaurant owners and service providers, including the Iowa Restaurant Association CEO.

Name

Iowa Latino Hospitality Council

Legal name

Iowa Latino Hospitality Council

Website

https://iowalatinohospitalitycouncil.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Iowa Latino Hospitality Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association providing Spanish-language ServSafe certifications, training courses, networking, and community events to Latino hospitality business owners and workers across Iowa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Hospitality Industry Association

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association Compliance, Governance & Board Support Services (BPAJAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers (THAHABAI)

Keywords

• Hospitality industry association
• Latino business support
• Restaurant certification training
• ServSafe certification programs
• Nonprofit membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

West Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues for Latino hospitality business owners. First year promotional pricing at 50% off standard rate. $210/year for first restaurant, $90/year per additional restaurant establishment.
2. Education and Training Courses: Revenue from short courses including Customer Service for Restaurants ($70-$100) and Customer Service Course ($80). These are open enrollment courses for hospitality workers.
3. Event Participation Fees: Iowa Latino Restaurant Week participation fees ($190-$250 per establishment). Copa de Restaurantes Latinos Iowa registration ($500 team, $50 individual).
4. Ally/Sponsor Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship tiers (Collaborator, Partner, Premier) priced at $750-$1,500 annually. Sponsors receive visibility and association with the Latino hospitality community.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations supporting the organization's mission to strengthen the Latino hospitality community through education and certification programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Iowa Latino Hospitality Council operates an annual membership association for Latino hospitality business owners in Iowa, bundled with Spanish-language ServSafe Food Protection Manager and Responsible Alcohol Service certifications, self-paced customer service and allergy prevention courses, signature community events (Iowa Latino Restaurant Week and Copa de Restaurantes Latinos Iowa soccer tournament), monthly owner networking meetings, and a tiered corporate Aliados sponsorship program. Membership also unlocks complimentary Iowa Restaurant Association membership and access to advocacy, legal advisory, and compliance resources.

Product overview

Iowa Latino Hospitality Council (ILHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a membership-based hospitality industry association for Latino restaurant owners and hospitality entrepreneurs in Iowa. The organization operates a multi-product portfolio centered on its core annual membership program (Consejo de Hospitalidad Latino de Iowa), which provides regulatory compliance assistance, networking, and Iowa Restaurant Association membership benefits. Supporting this core membership are event programs including the annual Iowa Latino Restaurant Week (a 9-day culinary celebration) and the Copa de Restaurantes Latinos Iowa (soccer tournament). Education services include ServSafe certifications in Food Protection Manager and Responsible Alcohol Service, plus self-paced Cursos Libres courses in customer service and allergy management. The organization also offers an Aliados corporate partnership program with tiered pricing. Nearly 10% of Iowa restaurants are Latino-owned, and the council was launched by the Iowa Restaurant Association to serve this growing demographic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consejo de Hospitalidad Latino de Iowa (Annual Membership) Annual membership providing Latino hospitality business owners in Iowa with regulatory compliance assistance, Spanish-language industry updates, monthly networking meetings, free Iowa Restaurant Association membership, a complimentary coaching session for the Latino Restaurant Excellence Program, and discounts on ServSafe certifications. First restaurant $210/year (with a first-year half-price promotional offer of $105); each additional restaurant establishment $90/year.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification Industry-standard food safety certification recognized nationally for training food service professionals in safe food handling, storage, preparation, service, disease prevention, documentation, and refrigerator/pantry management. Iowa law requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager per food service establishment. The 5-year valid certification is issued by the National Restaurant Association. Delivered in Spanish for Latino hospitality workers.
• ServSafe Responsible Alcohol Service Certification Certification program for responsible alcohol service providing Iowa businesses with affirmative defense protections. Covers age verification, intoxication recognition, handling difficult situations, and preventing sales to minors. Priced at $175 for Spanish-speaking hospitality industry workers.
• Cursos Libres (Open Enrollment Courses) Self-paced open enrollment courses for food and beverage industry professionals, including Customer Service for Restaurants ($70-$100), Customer Service Course ($80 for scheduled sessions), and Allergy Prevention and Management ($70-$100). Designed for Spanish-speaking hospitality workers seeking practical skills development.
• Iowa Latino Restaurant Week Annual 9-day culinary celebration featuring member Latino restaurants in Iowa offering special promotional menus. The 2025 edition featured 20 participating restaurants spanning Peruvian, Salvadoran, Mexican, and other Latin American cuisines. Event provides turnkey marketing support including newspaper ads, social media exposure, TV/radio coverage, and promotional materials. Participation fee: $190 per establishment for members joining before July 10; $250 per establishment after the deadline or for non-members.
• Copa de Restaurantes Latinos Iowa (Soccer Tournament) Soccer tournament for restaurant teams, employees, and direct family members. 7 vs 7 format with teams of 10 people. Includes team registration ($500) or individual registration ($50), with first place receiving trophy, medals, and approximately $1,000 cash prize. Builds community engagement and brand visibility across the Iowa Latino hospitality segment.
• Aliados (Allies Corporate Partnership Program) Corporate partnership program with three annual tiers for businesses committed to breaking language barriers, professionalizing the industry, and supporting Latino talent: Collaborator $750/year, Partner $1,000/year, Premier $1,500/year. Partners receive visibility, association with the Latino hospitality community, and access to event-driven marketing channels such as Iowa Latino Restaurant Week.

Quantifiable outcome

• 206 workers trained, 312 certifications issued, 190 credentials awarded, 18 salary increases or promotions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Iowa Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iowa Restaurant Association launched the Iowa Latino Hospitality Council as an independent nonprofit to serve the growing Latino hospitality demographic. ILHC members receive free membership in the Iowa Restaurant Association, gaining access to legal advisory center, resources, and advocacy.
• Iowa Restaurant Association Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with ILHC on the September 2025 certification program that trained 206 workers and issued 190 credentials, including 126 ServSafe CFPM certifications.
• Iowa Workforce DevelopmentcoreOthersProvided grant funding through Central Iowa Workforce Development to offer free ServSafe certifications in Spanish through June 2025. Funded training for 206 hospitality workers.
• Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety BureauminorOthersProvided grant funding supporting free hospitality training programs for Spanish-speaking professionals in Iowa.
• Coca-ColamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Iowa Latino Restaurant Week 2025, providing marketing support and visibility for participating restaurants.
• SyscomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Iowa Latino Restaurant Week 2025, supporting the event and Latino restaurant community.
• Sazerac / Johnson BrothersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Iowa Latino Restaurant Week 2025, supporting the celebration of Latino culinary diversity.
• BMO BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Iowa Latino Restaurant Week 2025, supporting Latino entrepreneurship and business visibility.
• CITYVIEW MagazinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for Iowa Latino Restaurant Week, providing advertising in magazine, newsletters, and social media promotion.
• IowaWorksminorOthersPartner organization hosting recruitment and training events. Met with approximately 70 Latino community members seeking employment in December 2024.
• Abacus AccountingminorOthersPresented on tax issues and compliance topics including new overtime thresholds and Work Opportunity Tax Credit at ILHC events.
• Ascend Business SolutionsminorOthersBoard Treasurer Monica May works for Ascend Business Solutions, providing financial/business expertise to the council.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National umbrella for Hispanic business chambers, providing advocacy, networking, and resources to Latino entrepreneurs. Comparable as a membership-driven support organization for Hispanic business owners, operating at a national scale.
• Iowa Restaurant Association: Founded ILHC and serves as its anchor partner, providing regulatory expertise, advocacy, and member benefits. Comparable as a hospitality industry association serving Iowa restaurant operators, but with a broader (non-ethnic-specific) membership base.
• National Restaurant Association: Parent of the ServSafe certification program that ILHC delivers in Spanish, and the national umbrella for state restaurant associations. Directly comparable as a membership-based hospitality industry association, though operating at national scale.
• UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza): Largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. Comparable as a community-led support organization advancing Latino economic empowerment, though operating across many sectors beyond hospitality.
• Illinois Restaurant Association: State-level restaurant industry association in a neighboring Midwestern state. Comparable structurally to the Iowa Restaurant Association and indicative of the model that ILHC's parent follows; representative of state restaurant associations generally.

Regional players

• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Iowa: Iowa-based business association serving Hispanic-owned businesses across sectors. Comparable as a Latino-focused community and business-support organization in the same geography, but with a broader (non-hospitality-specific) mandate.

Others

• SCORE Iowa: Volunteer mentoring and small business education resource for Iowa entrepreneurs. Comparable as a support organization offering training, networking, and resources to Iowa-based SMBs, though without a hospitality or ethnic-specific focus.
• ServSafe (NRA Solutions): Provider of the Food Protection Manager and Responsible Alcohol Service certifications that form ILHC's core training offering. Comparable as a certification and training infrastructure provider for the U.S. restaurant industry.
• Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Statewide small business advisory and training network serving Iowa entrepreneurs. Comparable as a public-private support provider delivering training, certification prep, and advisory services to small businesses in Iowa.
• ProStart (NRA Education Foundation): National high-school culinary and restaurant management program. ILHC engages with ProStart competition judging for Latino culinary students, making it a comparable education-to-career pathway initiative in the hospitality space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowalatinohospitalitycouncil

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Latino Hospitality Council