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IHLA proudly hosts the 2026 State of the Industry & Awards Luncheon at McCormick Place in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Show.
This lunch brings together hospitality leaders from across Illinois for an afternoon of industry insights, distinguished speakers, and the presentation of IHLA’s Achievement in Hospitality Awards. Each year, we are honored to recognize exceptional leaders whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the hotel industry. These distinguished individuals continue to serve as dedicated advocates for the advancement of our hotel community and the guests it serves. This year, Stephen L. Schwartz, Chairman Emeritus of First Hospitality, will be recognized with IHLA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Recipients of the Ambassador of Hospitality Awards include Konstantine “Gus” Drosos, former General Manager of Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel and Hilton Chicago O’Hare; Iris Junge, General Manager of The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel; and Brad Stephens, Illinois State Representative and Mayor of Rosemont. Attendees will also hear from Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as she shares exclusive insights on the state of the Illinois economy. The program will also feature a dynamic fireside chat with Isaac Collazo, Senior Director of Analytics at CoStar, offering a comprehensive update on the 2026 Illinois hotel market. |
