UCE + Delaware restaurant association: Growing Delaware Hospitality Storytelling
Photography courtesy of Joy The Feeling.
Wilmington, Delaware — What began as project-based creative and communications support has grown into an ongoing strategic partnership between Unified Creative Exchange (UCE) and the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) and Delaware Restaurant Foundation (DRF), expanding the organization's capacity to tell the stories of Delaware's hospitality industry and the people who make it possible.
Since Winter 2025, UCE has worked alongside the DRA/DRF’s internal marketing and communications team to support digital outreach efforts surrounding initiatives and events including the Fast Forward Conference, member engagement campaigns, advocacy efforts, hospitality storytelling projects, and statewide communications.
At the beginning of 2026, the organizations formally expanded their relationship into an ongoing strategic marketing and communications partnership. Through the current agreement, UCE works alongside DRA/DRF's existing team to provide additional creative, strategic, and production capacity for advocacy initiatives, campaign development, content, creative direction, and storytelling.
“In the last several months, I’ve found hospitality to be one of the most important industries shaping our communities, local economies, and culture. What has been meaningful about this partnership is the opportunity to work alongside a team that already has deep relationships and expertise within the industry. Our role is simply to help expand the creative capacity around that work—to tell more stories, bring more voices into the process, and create meaningful connections between DRA/DRF, its members, and the public.”
“The Delaware Restaurant Association values partnerships that help us broaden our reach and strengthen connections throughout Delaware’s hospitality community. Working with Josh and his team has provided opportunities to engage new audiences, share industry resources, and highlight the people and businesses that make Delaware’s hospitality industry so vibrant. We appreciate the collaboration and look forward to continuing to work together in support of the industry.”
Through the partnership, UCE provides strategic and creative support that complements DRA/DRF's internal marketing and communications efforts. The work includes coordinating local creators for documentary-style fieldwork across all three counties, campaign planning, content development, stakeholder interviews, creative production, member engagement initiatives, event promotion, digital storytelling, and behind-the-scenes documentation highlighting the people driving Delaware's hospitality industry forward.
“Believe it or not, there’s a lot of synergy between the arts and hospitality industries, Artists and business owners alike understand what it means to build something meaningful, navigate challenges, and create experiences that bring people together. I encourage Delawareans to get curious about what’s happening across our state and support organizations like DRA/DRF that are championing growth, advocacy, and opportunity on behalf of so many.”
As the partnership continues through the end of 2026, UCE and DRA/DRF will continue working together to document and amplify the people, businesses, programs, and initiatives shaping Delaware's hospitality industry.
About Unified Creative Exchange
Unified Creative Exchange (UCE) is a Delaware-based creative marketing and project management agency specializing in hospitality, arts, and community impact. Through strategic communications, creative direction, partnerships, and campaign execution, UCE works alongside organizations to expand their creative capacity, connect with audiences, and build meaningful engagement.
About the Delaware Restaurant Association/Foundation
The Delaware Restaurant Association serves as the voice of Delaware's restaurant and hospitality industry, advocating for its members through education, workforce development, networking opportunities, industry leadership, and community engagement. Through the Delaware Restaurant Foundation, the organization also supports workforce development initiatives and programs that strengthen the future of hospitality across the state.
