There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all
- In My Life, The Beatles
An aficionado of the hospitality public relations industry, Linda Roth Conte, the founder and president of Linda Roth Associates, INC (LRA) is the “go-to” woman when the hospitality industry’s message needs to get out. She has developed marketing and publicity campaigns for independent and chain restaurants, hotels, associations, wine, beer and spirits companies, and non-profit hospitality organizations.
Marketing strategies as well as publicity strategies are critical in guiding national retail, restaurant and hotel groups in their expansion into the Washington, D.C. metro area market. Major hospitality groups such as Palm Management Corp., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Morton’s The Steakhouse, Brinker International, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Restaurant Associates, Guest Services, Inc., Famous Dave’s of America and Krispy Kreme have sought out LRA to plan and execute their expansion into the D.C. market.
In the international arena, as Director of Marketing for Champions Restaurants and Sports Bars, Linda developed a promotional training program for the company that was implemented by Champions in all of its U.S. and overseas restaurants, including those in Marriott properties.
Linda worked with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) to position the annual Capital Restaurant & Hospitality Awards (now called the RAMMY Awards) in its early years as the premier restaurant awards event in Washington. She helped bring it to the level of prominence it achieved through publicity and support from celebrity appearances from local media and sports personalities.
Linda firmly believes in donating her time to charitable causes. For nearly 12 years she has helped position The Larry King Cardiac Foundation via galas, publicity, community involvement and web site information. Linda has served on the board of D.C. Central Kitchen (DCCK), a pioneering food service provider and job-training program for Washington, D.C.’s homeless population. She designed and implemented Kitchen Kabaret, a gala dinner featuring a host of notable chefs who not only prepared dinner, but also performed at the event, supported by DCCK students and graduates.
Linda is a regular columnist for FoodService Monthly, a regional trade publication as well as The Georgetowner and The Downtowner newspapers. She is the D.C. Dateline contributor for the James Beard Foundation Calendar & Newsletter.
As a leading area public relations specialist, Linda has been a guest lecturer and panelist for the public relations departments at American University, George Washington University and Marymount University. She serves as a board member of the national capital chapters of both National Association of Women Business Owners and Les Dames d’Escoffier; she is a long-standing board member of Oxford Publishing, which publishes restaurant and bar trade publications. She is an active member of Washington Area Concierge Association, D.C. Central Kitchen, and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. Linda is a member of the American Marketing Association, James Beard Foundation and Women’s Foodservice Forum.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Linda is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a B.A. in Communications. Since 1975, she has been a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and an avid Terrapin fan. Linda adores her Norfolk Terrier Bella (i.e. the Tiny Dancer) and is a student of Italian culture and language – to better engage her husband Silvestro Conte’s love of his native country.
