TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6

6:30 a.m.

Foundation Golf Tournament
(Optional: Additional cost for participation.)

The annual SHFM Foundation Golf Tournament will take place at the Harborside International Golf Center. This par-72 golf course features the spectacular views of Chicago’s iconic skyline. Continuously ranked as one of the top facilities in Illinois, Harborside offers the premier golf experience in the Chicagoland area.

The tournament format will be a scramble with a shotgun start. You don’t want to miss your chance to be part of this exciting kickoff event … register to play TODAY!

Cost: $275 (Includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, two drink tickets, greens fees and cart fees.)

Please note: The course requires all players to wear collared shirts. Denim is prohibited. All players must also adhere to a “soft spikes only” policy.

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Golf Graphic 1000 X 700

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour (Optional: Additional cost for participation.) One of the most popular tours in Chicago! You'll be whisked by bus straight to the boat tour. As you glide along the river, you'll get the inside story on more than 50 iconic buildings — the bold designs and the legendary figures who turned this city into an architectural masterpiece. While this is not a private boat, you'll board together as a group with your fellow SHFM attendees. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board too. Cruise will depart rain or shine. $135 Per Person If a minimum is not reached, registrants will be notified and fees refunded by August 21. If a maximum is reached, a waitlist will be maintained.
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour (Optional: Additional cost for participation.) Hungry for the real Chicago? This is your all-access pass to the dishes that put Chicago on the culinary map. Taste your way through Chicago’s most famous recipes on this relaxing and fun Chicago food tour. You’ll feast on Chicago culinary legends such as deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dog and a delectable dessert! Tour is rain or shine. $195 Per Person If a minimum is not reached, registrants will be notified and fees refunded by August 21. If a maximum is reached, a waitlist will be maintained.
11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Registration & Silent Auction Get your badge at the SHFM registration desk. SHFM Foundation Silent Auction The SHFM Foundation develops outreach programs to interest the best college students in the onsite industry. Your support for this important cause is greatly valued. Prepare to bid often and bid generously! If your organization is interested in donating an item to the Silent Auction benefitting the SHFM Foundation, please complete this form.
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.	Client Liaison, Self-Operator & Integrated Facility Manager Lunch (Open to all Client Liaisons / Self-Operators / Integrated Facility Managers) Join us for a networking lunch designed specifically for this SHFM attendee category! Connect and engage with industry peers while expanding your professional network.
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.	Rising Stars Lunch & Meeting (Open to current Rising Stars only)
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Innovation Showcase Exhibitor Set Up
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Supplier Session (Open to all Suppliers) Sponsored by elite\|studio e, MEIKO USA, & Nutrislice This session is designed exclusively for Suppliers. Hear best practices and real-world insights to help you maximize your time at SHFM.
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Client Liaison & Self-Operator Session (Open to all Client Liaisons / Self-Operators) Sponsored by elite\|studio e, MEIKO USA, & Nutrislice This one-of-a-kind session is designed specifically for the Client Liaison and Self-Operator attendee category. Exchange ideas with industry colleagues during this unique, collaborative session.
2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.	Student / Fellow Kick-Off Think Like a Chef: Creating a Life of Energy, Achievement and Fulfillment(For Students and Fellows only)Jason Wange, Executive Director of Sales, Cal-Mil Those who build fulfilling, energizing and high achieving careers (and lives) aren't doing so on accident. Study leaders whose stories inspire us, and you'll find consistent steps they take when creating the lives of their dreams. And interestingly, these steps are incredibly similar to the steps a Chef takes when creating a new meal they are excited about. Jason Wange, Executive Director of Cal-Mil and Founder of the Foodservice Powerplant Network will take you on a journey where you'll dream of your best life and walk through the steps toward turning that dream into your reality. A message filled with humor, vulnerability and the stories of foodservice leaders, you'll leave inspired in what you're capable of, and with a group of colleagues ready to join you in the journey.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Spark Session: Career Success? Yes, and… Joy and the Intentional Journey

Karen Jaw-Madson (Moderator), Principal, Co.-Design of Work Experience
Robert Gebhardt, Global Workplace Experience, AMER Lead, JLL
Carmen Miranda, Senior Development Chef, Infuse Hospitality
Natalie Nelson, Director - Non-Commercial Foodservice, Red Bull North America
Amanda Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, E15 Group

Get a head start on conference content before the morning keynote. This session is open to all attendees and was intentionally designed to inspire early engagement and education.

What if your career wasn't a ladder to climb, but a story you were actively writing? Explore what it looks like to move through your career with intention, not just ambition, making deliberate choices that align with what genuinely matters to you at every stage. Because success isn't a destination you arrive at. It's something you design, experience and redefine along the way. Walk away with the skills, perspectives and frameworks to navigate your path with clarity and confidence — whether you're thriving exactly where you are or deciding what's next. It's about building a career that feels as good as it looks, understanding what makes it matter and owning it — one intentional decision at a time.

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

2027 CPC Meeting

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

New Member First-Time Attendee Event & Reception

Explore why SHFM is renowned for its friendly embrace and dedication to newcomers and first-time conference participants at this session, reception, and conference kick-off all wrapped into one! Engage in lively roundtable discussions, mingle with peers over drinks and glean insider tips on maximizing your conference journey. Forge valuable SHFM connections right from day one.

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Opening Reception: Taste of Chicago!
Industry Networking Event

Hosted by Aramark, Compass Group and Sodexo

Tonight, Chicago is your venue. Step off-site and into a kickoff that pays homage to Chicago's legendary favorites and culinary scene. Make meaningful connections, ignite new partnerships and immerse yourself in a dining experience that honors the city's storied food heritage. Talented chefs from our host companies will take center stage, showcasing their craft and bringing an inspired, hand-crafted menu to life.

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Transportation:
Transportation will begin loading from the front lobby starting at 6:15 p.m., departing by 6:30 p.m. Transportation options will run in a continuous loop throughout the duration of the evening event.