Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities with OBRA
The Outer Banks Restaurant Association brings restaurants, chefs, hospitality businesses, and community partners together to celebrate and strengthen the local dining industry.
If you’re interested in hosting a Taste of the Beach event, exploring sponsorship opportunities, partnering with participating restaurants, or supporting OBRA initiatives through media coverage and community involvement, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Participation in certain OBRA events and opportunities, including hosting Taste of the Beach events, requires current Association membership.
Bring Your Ideas to the Table
There are many ways for restaurants, chefs, industry partners, sponsors, accommodations providers, and media representatives to get involved with OBRA throughout the year.
Explore the opportunities below or contact us to discuss an idea of your own.
Executive Chefs, Restaurant Owners & Pastry Chefs
OBRA welcomes creative ideas from local chefs and restaurant owners interested in participating in Taste of the Beach and other Association initiatives.
Participating restaurants must be current OBRA members in good standing, and we encourage you to share your ideas early in the planning process.
Host & Create an Event at Your Restaurant
Each Taste of the Beach event should incorporate elements of our FOOD | DRINK | FUN motto, but that can take many different forms. “Drink” does not have to be exclusively alcoholic.
Get creative! Theme your event around your cuisine or seasonal ingredients. Bring in entertainment or partner with a beverage supplier. Create an interactive or educational experience for your guests. Cooking classes, in particular, are one of the event types our guests tell us they’d like to see more of.
Event hosts keep 85% of the gross ticket sales from their event, and there is no event entry fee.
Interested in hosting an event? Contact OBRA to learn more about participation requirements and the event planning process.
Explore Our Upcoming EventsAccommodations Partners
The Outer Banks Restaurant Association welcomes opportunities to partner with accommodations providers to grow Taste of the Beach reservations and expand ticketing and event packages.
We offer different levels of accommodations sponsorships designed to benefit both participating properties and the festival.
Contact our Marketing Manager, Quinn Capps, to discuss current sponsorship opportunities and partnership ideas.
Beverage & Food Industry Partners
With FOOD | DRINK | FUN at the heart of Taste of the Beach, there are several ways for beverage companies, food suppliers, distributors, and specialty producers to participate.
Event Participation: Partner with a restaurant or become part of a specifically themed event. Partners may also donate or sponsor goods and services for select events and competitions, with opportunities to showcase their products and branding.
Vendor Opportunities: Participate as a featured beverage vendor at select Taste of the Beach events. Product donation requirements may apply. Distribution companies must hold or obtain a current OBRA Associate Membership.
Sponsorship: Sponsorship opportunities may include glassware, paper goods, serviceware, event merchandise, and other festival needs that provide opportunities for brand exposure.
Event Sponsorship: Become a title sponsor or sponsor a specific event. OBRA can also help connect partners with restaurants interested in featuring their products. Sponsorship may include a negotiated fee, product donation, or combination of both.
Raffle Support: Donate goods or services for raffles held during select Taste of the Beach events.
Interested in exploring a partnership? Contact OBRA to discuss opportunities that align with your business.
Media & Travel Writers
Media partnerships help promote OBRA events, member restaurants, and the Outer Banks culinary community.
OBRA works with local and regional advertising outlets, media representatives, and travel writers to develop mutually beneficial promotional opportunities, particularly surrounding Taste of the Beach.
Media representatives may participate through trade or paid support packages. Contact our Marketing Manager to discuss your outlet, distribution, rates, and partnership ideas.
Travel writers are also welcome to request attendance at one or more Taste of the Beach events. With appropriate credentials and planned coverage, OBRA may be able to provide admission and/or accommodations to credentialed writers on a case-by-case basis.
When contacting us, please include information about your publication or outlet, proposed coverage, story ideas, and relevant credentials.
Taste of the Beach Judges
Select Taste of the Beach events require knowledgeable and unbiased judges.
If you would like to be considered for a judging position, please contact our Marketing Manager.
Selected judges are expected to perform all required judging duties and must be able and willing to taste the dishes and ingredients included in the competition.
Have Another Idea?
OBRA’s events, partnerships, and community initiatives continue to grow through the creativity and participation of local restaurants, businesses, sponsors, and supporters.
Whether you have an idea for a future event, a potential sponsorship, or a new way to collaborate with the Outer Banks restaurant community, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact the Outer Banks Restaurant Association
