ROTARY LUNCHEON: 2020 in the Rearview Mirror and the Road Ahead for the SF Restaurant Industry

Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, the San Francisco restaurant industry endured endless policy changes including closures, capacity limits, and mask enforcement, all while trying to keep their employees safe and trying to survive. Laurie Thomas will discuss the lessons and opportunities of the past 18 months and the path and challenges moving forward.

Laurie Thomas is the owner of Nice Ventures, which currently owns and manages two successful restaurants in San Francisco: Rose’s Café and Terzo. In January 2020, Laurie took on the role of Executive Director for the Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA), a nonprofit trade organization focused on helping Bay Area restaurants survive and thrive. Her previous 13 years' experience as a member of the GGRA Board of Directors plus her 20+ years' experience owning/operating restaurants in San Francisco made this a perfect fit for her. Prior to becoming a restaurateur, she earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and held senior management positions at several enterprise software companies in Silicon Valley. In July 2019, Laurie joined the San Francisco Travel Association Board, which works to promote San Francisco as a top travel destination. 

When she is not working or eating in her restaurants, Laurie is committed to giving back to the San Francisco community. She is a member of the honorary board of Meals on Wheels, a San Francisco non-profit focused on feeding the elderly, and was a founding member of the Friends of Larkin Street, a sub-board of Larkin Street, focused on fundraising for at-risk youth. She also volunteers for non-profits through the HBS Community Partners.  

A three-course lunch will be served. The price is $45, with old tickets for lunch from the Sir Francis Drake accepted as a partial payment of $35.

Remote attendance via Zoom is available at no charge. Register here for Zoom attendance only

Proof of Vaccination and Masks Required

To maximize the health and safety of Rotarians, guests, speakers, staff at the Hotel Nikko (where we meet), and those who may potentially be in a high-risk category for complications due to COVID-19, the Rotary Club of San Francisco REQUIRES all members and guests, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a face covering mask during the meeting except while eating.

On August 12, 2021, the City and County of San Francisco placed proof of COVID-19 vaccination on patrons entering establishments where food/beverages are served. Acceptable proofs of vaccination include the CDC vaccination card, a physical or digital copy of that card, documentation from a healthcare provider, or a personal digital COVID-19 vaccination record issued by the State of California. Businesses subject to this new requirement must cross check proof of full vaccination against each patron’s photo identification. 

The Club believes that these policies are consistent with Rotary's Four-Way Test as well as with the current guidelines of the CDC and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.