REASONS FOR JOINING THE ASSOCIATION

1. The tourism industry in Plett has for the first time democratically elected a Tourism Board. The restaurant industry for the first time enjoys a permanent seat on the board and it is essential that the restaurant industry forms its own association to ensure that industry concerns and interests are properly addressed by the Board. It would be virtually impossible for the Board to deal with in the region of 60 individual restaurants.
2. Whereas individual restaurants have little prospect of influencing both decisions of the Board or other decisions or activities in the town, an Association of restaurant owners will constitute a powerful and very influential body for lobbying or otherwise influencing decisions that are taken that affect the restaurant industry. For example, ask yourself how differently the Main Street upgrade would have been undertaken with strong representation from the restaurant industry.
3. Effective and speedy communication. Often events from which the industry could benefit take place in Plett and the bulk of the industry are not even aware of the event. The Association will constitute an ideal medium through which to ensure that all members are kept informed of such events.
4. When such events do take place, the Association will be in a strong position to lobby and ensure that Plett based restaurants are given “the first bite of the cherry” and that outside caterers are only allowed to participate in circumstances in which the opportunity has been turned down by Plett based restaurants.
5. Co-ordination of the industry when opportunities are presented which may benefit restaurant owners.
6. Co-ordination of the restaurants to follow the direction of tourism in Plett as the nature and sporting capital of Africa.
7. Holding of restaurant driven special events such as take place in other towns-e.g. a Mediterranean week etc.
8. Joint marketing initiatives such as are presently being considered for the World Cup.
9. Combating areas of joint concern such as street vendors.
10. Human Resources-sharing of information regarding employees and customers that have caused problems in restaurants. How often has an employee or a customer caused a problem in one restaurant only to show up in another restaurant in Plett to cause the same problem. When employees and customers become aware of such sharing of information, the result should e a better standard of performance by such persons for fear of being boycotted by all the restaurants in Plett.
11. Exploiting collective buying opportunities.
12. Provision of direction on common industry concerns such as the anti-smoking legislation and liquor licensing requirements for the World Cup without each restaurant having to seek and bear the cost of a legal opinion on such issues.
13. A joint and co-ordinated approach to matters affecting the industry such as the above legislation in order to ensure consistency of approach amongst the restaurants.
14. Sharing of concerns and good business practices.
15. A restaurant industry united as opposed to being divided as in the past.
16. As the Association grows and strengthens there are endless possibilities in the future with the restaurants becoming major players in the tourism industry in Plett as opposed to “hanging on to the coat tails” of the main line industry players.
17. Affiliation to the Restaurant Association of South Africa, which carries many benefits, will be sought.
18. Networking with other branches of the tourism industry and seeking joint and cost effective advertising opportunities in concert with them. 
19. Joint event/ethnic catering events to add value to the tourism calendar and as part of initiatives to give emphasis to Plett as a Gastronomic destination.