Yesterday reminded me exactly why I love being part of the hospitality industry in Chicago.
I had the privilege of attending both the National Restaurant Association Show and the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association’s State of the Industry Luncheon & Awards at McCormick Place—two key events for leaders across hospitality, restaurant operations, and event planning.
I was honored to attend as a newly appointed member of the Board of Trustees for the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, and I’m always proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Restaurant Association. Representing Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s original Italian steakhouse, and our family of businesses across the hospitality space, I’m constantly inspired by the talent, vision, and grit that defines this city’s restaurant and events community.
Serving on boards that contribute so much to Chicago’s cultural and culinary identity—whether through the arts or the hospitality sector—is such a joy and a privilege. And on a personal note, it also brings me back to childhood memories of watching my dad do this very same kind of work. I remember sitting wide-eyed in rooms like this, wanting so badly to grow up and be just like him. So to now be part of these conversations, carrying that legacy forward? It’s a full-circle moment I hold close to my heart.
The IHLA luncheon celebrated impactful contributions to hospitality leadership, including honoring Marilynn Gardner of Navy Pier and Maria Razumich-Zec of The Peninsula Chicago with the Ambassador of Hospitality Awards—two inspiring women driving innovation in the Chicago hospitality landscape.
A huge thank you to the Harris Theater for the invitation and for creating space for cross-industry connection. I’m always grateful for opportunities to engage with peers and celebrate the hard work, creativity, and leadership that make Chicago hospitality and events so vibrant and resilient.
Whether in the boardroom or the ballroom, these are the moments that remind me why I do what I do—and how much more there is still to build.
