Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses need you.

The N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association today will kick off a campaign aimed at encouraging people to consider careers in the industry.

As the economy recovers, consumers will increase spending on dining, drinking and vacations. The industry will need to fill thousands of positions across the state, said association president Paul Stone.

"Our industry, historically, is going to be more stable than almost any other," Stone said in a phone interview. "We're trying to curb the mindset that these aren't 'real' jobs."

For starters, the "Fork It" effort ("Stick a Fork in Your Old Job") will include 12 billboards across the state that will direct people to a Web site with information on careers, education opportunities and more. The campaign will emphasize that the industry needs more than cooks, dishwashers and waiters -- that the field employs high-paying managers, accountants and technology experts.