SHFM National Conference 2026 Draws 600 Attendees

With summerlike weather and signature food items on offer, Chicago was a gracious host for the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s 2026 National Conference, held Oct. 6-8 at Palmer House, a Hilton hotel.

The conference brought together 600 individuals from across the industry. FER staff was among those in attendance, and the company served as a silver media sponsor.

Conference highlights included networking, education, a golf outing and award ceremonies, plus the Innovation Showcase, featuring 79 exhibitors showcasing hospitality-geared equipment, supplies and services, and the Hunger Games, in which teams faced off in assorted competitions while raising funds for Chicago nonprofit Care for Real.

Additionally, attendees observed the passing of the gavel from President Jenna Calhoun (now immediate past president), of Balfour Beatty Communities, to President Rob Yayac, of Google.

Other new board positions are as follows: Davin Wickstrom, of Vivreau, as president-elect; Sherri Silverstein, of UBS, as treasurer; Amy Franks, of JLL, as foundation chair; and Jeanine Cosgrove Albert, of At Your Service Staffing, as senior supplier. Directors are: Gina Brophy, of Becton Dickinson; Gary Crompton, of Aramark Workplace Experience Group; Michael DiNuzzo, of Google; Joanna Dissin, of JLL; David Gaughan, of Sodexo; Stephanie Gilbert, of Food Service Holdings; Regine Hooper-Campbell; Amy Lewis, of Kitchens to Go by Mobile Modular; Ed Mugnani, of Krafted Kitchen Collection; Greta Patel, of LifeWorks Restaurant Group; and Pamela Zimmerman, of American Express. Sam Euler, of HMG+, is the Young Professional Board advisor.

On the awards side, recipients were as follows:
• Bob Pacifico Above & Beyond Award recipient: Fiore Tierno
• President’s Award: Julie Minnic, FSA Management Group and Jessica Zucker, Eurest/Compass Group
• President’s Mentorship Awards: John and Donna Boyle
• 2026 Leadership Award: Paul Fairhead, Infuse Hospitality
• Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award: Rob Gebhardt, JLL
• Jay B. Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Crompton, Aramark Workplace Experience Group

Bob Pacifico Above & Beyond Award recipient Fiore Tierno (fifth from left) gathers with past recipients of the honor.

Additionally, Innovation Showcase Award recipients were CNSRV for “Most Innovative Product or Service” and FoodSpace for “Most Forward-Thinking Table Display.”

Prior to the national conference, SHFM also honored Xiomara Battle, of Guckenheimer, and Olivia Desormey, of GravyWork, with Community Service Awards; Lauren Beckwith, of Guckenheimer, with the Spirit Award; Amanda Beni, of HMG+, with the Rising Young Professional Award; and Helene Kennan, of Kennan Food Strategies, with the Bobbi Capps Trailblazer Award.

Looking ahead, The SHFM Foundation Fundraising Gala is scheduled for Nov. 9 at the New York Academy of Medicine. Tickets are available at shfm-online.org.