Become an Influencer with the Missouri Restaurant Association!
What is the MRA Influencer Program?
Join Missouri's Culinary Storytellers
The Missouri Restaurant Association (MRA) Influencer Program is a community of passionate content creators, storytellers, and advocates for Missouri’s vibrant restaurant and hospitality scene. Our influencers play a vital role in showcasing the creativity, culture, and innovation of our state’s dining industry, while building relationships with restaurateurs and fellow food enthusiasts.
Explore the MRA's Influencer Directory
Meet Our Influencers
Discover the talented individuals representing Missouri’s restaurant community! Browse our directory of MRA-affiliated influencers who are capturing the heart and soul of our culinary world. Each profile highlights their unique perspective and content style.
Apply to Become an MRA Affiliated Influencer
Ready to Share Missouri's Culinary Story?
If you’re passionate about food, hospitality, and storytelling, we invite you to apply to become an MRA Affiliated Influencer! As an endorsed influencer, you’ll gain exclusive access to events, content creation opportunities, and the chance to showcase the best of Missouri’s restaurant scene in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, or the Ozarks!
How Does our Program Work?
Our Affiliate Influencer Program is designed to seamlessly connect content creators with local restaurants, turning social influence into a rewarding partnership. Through this program, we pair influencers with restaurants to craft engaging content that drives real customer engagement. The influencer and the restaurant collaborate on a customized campaign—whether it’s a featured dish, an exclusive dining experience, or a limited-time offer—to generate buzz and attract new patrons.
To make it even more enticing, the restaurant provides the influencer with a unique discount or special code to share with their audience. Every time a follower uses that code at the restaurant, not only does the customer enjoy a special deal, but the influencer earns a percentage of the sale as a commission. It’s a win-win: restaurants gain exposure and foot traffic from a trusted source, while influencers monetize their reach in an authentic and effective way. By leveraging social media in this strategic partnership, we create meaningful connections between restaurants and engaged food lovers, driving business growth and influencer success.
Benefits of Becoming an MRA Endorsed Influencer
As an MRA Influencer, you’ll enjoy a host of exclusive benefits designed to amplify your platform and connect you with the restaurant industry:
- Exclusive Event Access: Attend special events across Missouri, including tastings, openings, and industry conferences.
- Content Opportunities: Collaborate with restaurateurs to create engaging, behind-the-scenes content.
- Networking: Build relationships with fellow influencers and industry leaders.
- Recognition: Gain visibility through our directory, events, and promotions.
Apply Now to Join the MRA Influencers
Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association's Influencer of the Year Award
Our Influencer of the Year Award recognizes exceptional content creators who go above and beyond in promoting Missouri’s restaurant industry in the Kansas City region. Stay tuned for updates and announcements—and don’t forget to nominate or vote for your favorite influencer! Deadline for nominations are now closed for the 2024 year! Stay tuned for nominations for 2025.
2024 Influencer of the Year Finalists
@kansascityplaces.em
@bbcortess
@through.bec.specs
@kclifestylegirl
@theepitomekc
2024 Influencer of the Year ~ Emma Ezzell
With 65,500 Instagram followers and almost 53,000 TikTok Followers, Emma Ezzell became the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association’s first influencer of the year.
Since 2020, Ezzell @kansascityplaces.em has been showcasing KC’s hidden gems, local favorites and new spots throughout the greater Kansas City area with videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Heavily focused on food, Ezzell interacts with her followers through different styles of posts, including top ten lists. “I like to do the lists, like my top ten burgers, barbecue or summertime patios, to give people options visually that they might want to try out,” Ezzell says.
Before her time as an influencer, Ezzell would research cities on social media and Google when traveling to find the not-so-famous spots and local favorites. “I was always a big foodie when traveling,” Ezzell says.”I thought it would be cool to have a page designated for that in Kansas City where people in town or visiting for a Chiefs game could find things to do and places to eat.”
Ezzell loves the connections she has made by working as an influencer. Meeting different people, whether it’s creators or business and restaurant owners, Ezzell has made many friends along the way, she says. “I’m hearing their stories of how they started and their struggles and the positive impact some of our videos in the Kansas City community have had [on their businesses]—it’s just really cool to hear,” she says.