Linda Roth, Founder and CEO of LRA PR ANNOUNCED AS a 2025 Honorary RAMMY AWARD Recipient.
Linda Roth is a seasoned leader in the hospitality marketing and public relations industry, with more than four decades of experience supporting some of the most recognized names in restaurants, hotels, and foodservice. As Founder and CEO of LRA PR, a Washington, D.C.-based agency specializing in strategic communications for the hospitality sector, she has launched more restaurants than any other marketing firm in the capital over four decades.
Since founding her company in 1982, Linda has developed and executed innovative marketing and publicity campaigns for both independent and chain restaurants, boutique and globally renowned hotels, beverage companies, and nonprofit hospitality organizations
Linda Roth, Founder and CEO, LRA PR
A Baltimore native, Linda's career in the restaurant industry began as a server at The Dirty Dog Saloon in Ocean City, Maryland, just outside of Frontier Town. It was there that she first demonstrated her natural ability to connect with guests, teaching them the proper way to eat steamed blue crabs.
A natural-born connector, Linda has mastered the art of bringing the right people together, amplifying their messages through media and her exceptional interpersonal skills. As she watched Washington's market grow, she became influential not only in marketing the city but in creating meaningful connections between the capital and cultural tastemakers—matching the city with renowned celebrities, influential foodies, and wine connoisseurs.
Linda has played a pivotal role in the successful expansion of major restaurant brands into the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Her clients have included national powerhouses such as Morton's Restaurant Group, Palm Management Corp, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Darden Restaurants, Brinker International, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Krispy Kreme, Smashburger, Famous Dave's of America, Legal Sea Foods, and Centurion Restaurant Group. She has also represented influential foodservice organizations like Restaurant Associates and Guest Services Inc (GSI). Her hotel portfolio includes prestigious brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, InterContinental, and Starwood.
Despite her extensive work with national brands, Linda has always championed local, independent operators, including Champions Sports Bars, Anton Airfoods, Vidalia, Bistro Bis, Ris, La Tomate, Tony & Joe's, The Salt Line, Phoenix Park Hotel, The Dubliner, Uptown Bakers, Saval Foodservice, Itek Construction, Atlas Brewery, Tosca, Grand Central, Heavy Seas Alehouse, MurLarkey Distillery, Spice n Nice and Bull Run Winery.
Linda's commitment to community and industry engagement is equally noteworthy. A long-time member of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), she has been involved since the days of the Capital Achievement Awards and has served on the RAMW Board of Directors. She also served on the board of DC Central Kitchen for five years, where she conceived and launched "Kitchen Kabaret," an annual fundraiser held at the Roof Terrace Restaurant of the Kennedy Center that showcased chefs' musical as well as culinary talents. Plus, they got to brag they performed at the Kennedy Center.
Her leadership extends to professional associations as well. As Vice President of Networking for the DC chapter of the American Marketing Association, she created a signature networking event that significantly boosted membership over her 13-year tenure. Twice in the last 15 years, Linda was president of the DC chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries that bestows grants to organizations that support women and families and scholarships and mentoring programs to emerging foodservice professionals. Currently, she continues to contribute to the vitality of the region's hospitality sector through her work on Destination DC's Partnerships & Alliances Committee, where she advises on restaurant and hotel-related issues and supports the city's broader tourism marketing initiatives.
With her unmatched expertise, deep industry relationships, and passion for hospitality, Linda Roth has left an indelible mark on Washington, D.C.'s dining and tourism landscape.
The second annual RAMMYS Honors Cocktail Reception, recognizing this year’s honorees, will take place on Tuesday, July 1, at The Schuyler at Hamilton Hotel in Washington, DC. The 43rd Annual RAMMYS Awards & Gala will be held on Sunday, August 3, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more.