IFMA’s 70th Annual Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration: The Industry Night Not to Be Missed

Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 5:30pm CDT

For seven decades, IFMA has honored inspirational operators from across foodservice with our annual IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards. It is our continuing privilege to host the best of the best at the industry’s longest-standing celebration. 

This May, join hundreds of leaders from across the food-away-from-home ecosystem in the Great Hall at Chicago's historic Union Station as we induct a new cohort of remarkable industry icons into the pantheon of the Gold & Silver Plate Society.   

It will be an evening combining tradition and innovation as we host industry luminaries, share great food and drink, and hear all about the incredible careers of this year’s Silver Plate honorees from their professional mentors.

To top off the evening, the winner of the 2024 IFMA Gold Plate will be revealed – always a highpoint of the celebration!   

 

Event Details

Chicago Union Station: Great Hall
500 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60661

This year’s celebration will take place at Chicago’s historic Union Station. Opened in 1925, it is one of Chicago's most iconic structures, reflecting the city's strong architectural heritage. The station has a Beaux-Arts facade, massive Corinthian columns, marble floors, and a dramatic Great Hall, where we'll gather. 

Date/Time:
Saturday, May 18, 2024
5:30pm CDT

The Evening's Programming:
5:30-6:30p – Cocktail Hour 
6:30-8:30p – Dinner & Awards Program 
8:30p – Dessert Lounge

Attire: Formal Attire

Table & Ticket Cost

Table (10 seats): $6,295

Individual Ticket: $795

GSP Society Members and IFMA Operator Members: One complimentary ticket

 

Please note: IFMA reviews all requests for complimentary operator member tickets to ensure that they adhere to standards established by the Board of Directors. IFMA reserves the right to request additional information and may decline any non-qualified operator member ticket.

Cancellation/Transfer Policy

Due to high-demand and reserved seating, this event is non-refundable. Questions about payment or to pay via invoice: Contact Sandra Sierra at sandra@IFMAworld.com.

 

The Process for Selecting Winners

Every year, IFMA puts out a call and receives a large slate of nominations from its membership and the industry for Silver Plate Awards. This year, we made revisions to the form, simplifying the process – and resulting in a larger number of candidates!  

 

  • Nominations are sent to a pre-screen jury comprised of past Gold & Silver Plate winners, who are all members of the Gold & Silver Plate Society.   

  • The pre-screen jury narrows the nominations down to finalists in each category for the full jury to review. 

  • The full jury is comprised of past winners, chief editors from the nation’s leading foodservice trade publications, and industry experts. The 2023 jury met in person in January to select the Silver Plate winners.    

  • After the selection of the Silver Plate class, the jury votes by secret ballot to choose one individual from the class to receive the Gold Plate Award. Only the auditor – BDO– is aware of who has won the Gold Plate. The rest of us find out when we celebrate together in May! 

 

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