Founding Sponsors of the John L. Hennessy Awards Program

   The NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (NRA) was established in 1919 and represents the industry and the general public in interfacing with the government in matters related to the food service industry. The National Restaurant Association strives to enhance the prestige of the industry, a vital segment of our economic, political, and social system. Significant to the success of this goal is effective communication, which is gained through every appropriate channel, from advertising and public information to the annual educational exposition.  

For four decades, the National Restaurant Association has been the major industry sponsor of the Air Force Hennessy Trophy Awards Program, and in doing so, provided the Air Force with one of the finest motivational tools for better food service management and customer  service.  Annually they supply two board members for travels, sponsor the traveling trophies and the presentation ceremonies held in Chicago during the NRA's annual trade show.

   The SOCIETY FOR FOODSERVICE MANAGEMENT (SFM) was formed in 1979 through the
merger of the National Cafeteria Managers Association and the Association of Foodservice Management. The Society is composed of members representing companies which operate, provide goods and services, manufacture, or consult to the retail, noncommercial food service sector.  

The objective of the Society is to enhance management in the industry, while providing opportunities for education, exchange of technological advancements, and development of professional food service practices.  

The Society promotes excellence in military food service through its affiliation with the Air Force Hennessy Trophy Awards Program.  The mission statement for SFM is to "Be the permanent source of foodservice knowledge for its members."  Annually one member of the SFM board is selected to travel and SFM also hosts an awards breakfast held in conjunction with events during the NRA's trade show in Chicago.  This event again recognizes all the Air Force winners and travelers in front of the Society for Foodservice Management attendees.

  The INTERNATIONAL FOOD SERVICE EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION (IFSEA) is a fraternal and educational organization dedicated to upgrading standards in the food service industry.  IFSEA strives to promote education, sound food legislation, expansion in food research, and prestige in the profession.  The support of the Air Force Hennessy Trophy Awards Program is one of the many aspects of the association’s promotion of the industry.  

IFSEA supports the Hennessy awards program by supplying one of its board members as a traveler as well as supplying compensation for their traveler during the month long trip.   IFSEA is the founding sponsor of the United States Army Connelly Award, the United States Navy Ney Memorial Award, and the United States Marine Corps Hill Award programs.

The HENNESSY TRAVELERS ASSOCIATION (HTA) is an alumni of past Hennessy travelers chartered with the overall responsibility of recognizing the youth of tomorrow within Air Force Food Service.  As the founding organization of the Hennessy Travelers Award of Excellence, annually they recognize the best of the best during their travels worldwide.  The HTA association was conceived in 1982 and recognized its first two recipients in 1983.  With dedicated support primarily of dues paying HTA members, they have continually recognized the dedicated youth in the Air Force industry annually.

These individual award winners are hosted during the Hennessy Awards ceremonies and during the HTA board meeting conducted after the Hennessy Awards banquet.  All nominees are invited to the Hennessy events with the overall Air Force winners only being announced on the eve of the Hennessy Awards banquet.  This ensures that all winners get to Chicago to experience the Hennessy events and be with the experts in industry.

With outstanding industry support and sponsorship, the Hennessy Travelers Association provides the overall Air Force Winners in both the single and multiple categories with a continuing education scholarship.  Their hope is that the youth will become a future leader within our great industry while supporting the United States Armed Forces.  The association's charter also provides a conduit for both industry and Air Force members to exchange ideas and seek follow-on employment with industry.    HTA alumni and past travelers can always be identified by their unique alumni lapel pin that they proudly wear.  There is only one way to become a member of this proud association, simply dedicate the time not only to their sponsoring association as a board member but volunteer to be a Hennessy traveler representing their parent organization.