The South Carolina Innkeepers Association was established during a transformative period near the end of World War II, when a small group of hotel owners in Columbia convened to address the issue of counterfeit five-dollar bills being used for accommodations at local inns. Following the success of their educational initiatives and collaborative efforts, the founders recognized the necessity for a unified voice to advocate for the interests of the lodging industry in the state. As a result, the South Carolina Innkeepers Association was officially formed on October 14, 1944. Later the organization changed its name to the South Carolina Hotel and Motel Association to become more mainstream and in unison with the national organization. Around the same time in Georgetown, a group of local restaurant operators began discussions with law enforcement to explore opportunities to support the Easterseals Society, an American nonprofit that provided disability services for children. W.C. Hunter, owner of the Gator’s Drive-in, is credited with the formation of the Buck-A-Cup project in 1951, a collaboration between the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers’ Association and the South Carolina Restaurant Association. This fundraising event raised money for the Easter Seals by selling buttons for a dollar each, which granted the customer free coffee on the event day. This event has raised over $12 million in its history, supplying devices and services for children and adults with disabilities. With the creation of the Buck-a-Cup, the South Carolina Restaurant Association was officially formed. The hospitality landscape has continually evolved, yet these fundamental principles have consistently guided the Association throughout its history. Initially, the Association's efforts were concentrated on addressing regulatory challenges, enhancing industry standards, and creating a platform for exchanging ideas among industry professionals. In a significant move towards unification, the Hospitality Association of South Carolina was formed as an umbrella organization to manage both organizations in 1991. Operating as an IRS recognized independent organization for more than 20 years, they further streamlined its structure by legally combining the SCRA and SCHMA into the unified and dynamic entity we recognize today: the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Throughout this evolution, one aspect has remained constant: the SCRLA's steadfast commitment to "Promote, Protect, and Educate" the South Carolina hospitality industry.