January 21, 2026: Minnesota's hospitality industry is built on the strength of our people—the owners, operators, and workers who show up every day to serve our communities. In recent days, we’ve heard from many members who are navigating deeply personal decisions about how to respond to current events affecting our state, industry, and workforce.

Some operators have chosen to close their doors on January 23rd. Others will remain open. Both decisions deserve respect.

What we ask of our members is simple: extend the same grace to your fellow operators that you would want extended to you. A decision to close is not an invitation for criticism. A decision to remain open is not an invitation for judgment. Neither choice should be assigned a political meaning by others.

Each business carries its own history, its own relationships, and its own challenges. No one understands a business's complexities better than the people running it.

Hospitality Minnesota supports our members' right to make the choice that is best for their employees, their customers, and their operations.

We are an industry that welcomes everyone. That spirit of hospitality must also extend to one another—especially in difficult moments.

We are stronger when we stand together.

Stay tuned for more updates about the postponed Stars of the Future, hosted by the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) to honor the students, educators, and industry partners shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Hospitality Minnesota is collecting experience testimonials regarding the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. Please take a few minutes out of your day to share your experience with us.