On Thursday, January 29, the IRA hosted the 2026 Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers Luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago. The event featured a keynote address from The Honorable JB Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois.

Congratulations to Liz Lombardo Stark of Gibsons Restaurant Group on being appointed Chair of the IRA Board of Directors and to our newly inducted Board of Directors and Advisory Council members. We'd also like to congratulate the winners of this year's IRA Industry Awards:

• Restaurateur of the Year, presented by GrubHub: Christina Gonzalez, Taqueria Los Comales
• Vendor of the Year: Acqua Panna & S.Pellegrino, Christine DeSousa
• Sara Rowe ProStart® Company of the Year, presented by Hotel Communications Network: Edward Don & Company, Tyler Bruesewitz
• Cornerstone Award: JCDecaux, Gabrielle Brussel

Year in Review Sponsor

Award Sponsors