To ensure a well-trained workforce for the industry's future, the AHA offers education, training and professional development programs and resources to prepare workers for jobs in hotel and restaurant management, culinary arts and more.

Hospitality Education Foundation

The not-for-profit (501)(c)(3) Arkansas Hospitality Education Foundation (HEF) provides professional development for tomorrow's hospitality leaders.

The HEF works with the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and others to offer apprenticeship, scholarship and training opportunities through the ProStart culinary arts program and the Lodging Management Program (LMP).

Learn more about the ProStart Program from the National Restaurant Association

Learn more about the Lodging Management Program from the American Hotel & Lodging Association

Hospitality University/ServSafe

For hospitality managers and employees, the Hospitality University training and professional development curriculum helps you learn more about industry issues, receive crucial certifications that will help you to advance in your career and reach your full professional potential.

Click here to learn more about ServSafe training and to see a list of available ServSafe courses in Arkansas.  If none are currently listed in your area, you may request that a course be taught by contacting Kristen Smith at 501-376-2323.

Online Food Handler Safety Course

The Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA), in partnership with the Arkansas Dept. of Health, has introduced a new online food safety training course for food service workers.

This affordable course allows your employees to learn the fundamentals of food safety, sanitation and personal hygiene at their own speed—and for just $10.

Employers can pre-pay with a credit card and provide their employees with a dedicated authorization code that allows you to track who's completed the course. Workers who complete the online course and pass the exam receive a certification card good for three years.

Visit the online food safety course at http://foodsafety.arhospitality.org to register.

Please note that the new online food safety course does not supplant the AHA's ServSafe food and alcohol safety course, which are more intensive training intended for managerial staff and key employees. The online course is an affordable and easy way to train your full staff in the fundamentals of food safety.

For assistance please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your question, which will be answered within two business days.  If you have a problem with the course and need an immediate question answered, call the help line at 1-866-679-6733 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Central Time).

Want to know more? Click here to download a list of frequently asked questions. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Hospitality Library: Publications and Resources

The AHA maintains an extensive library of publications for hospitality owners, managers and employees, to help you stay current on industry developments or to develop new ideas for managing and marketing your business, improving customer service and more. Visit the AHA offices in Little Rock or call 501-376-2323 for more information.

To order lodging and restaurant industry publications directly, click on links below.

Order publications from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Order publications from the National Restaurant Association.

Join the Arkansas Hospitality Association Today!