Thank You To
Our Partners
About Honors Gala
Honors Gala is the premier fundraising event for the Association Forum Foundation. The money we raise through the event fuels educational scholarships to support association leaders of tomorrow. We also acknowledge and celebrate this year's recipients of our Honors Awards. These honorees are leaders of today who are transforming our industry and paving the way for a more innovative future. 2026 honorees will be announced in mid-March. View past honorees here.
Finally, we come together to celebrate this community. Association Forum members work tirelessly to make the world a better place across thousands of industries. We feel they deserve a night of fun to kick back and celebrate a job well done!

| VENUE Old Post Office 433 W. Van Buren St. Chicago, IL 60605 (Parking garage entrance at 404 W. Harrison St. ) |
SCHEDULE
| Time | Activity |
| 5:30–7 p.m. | Reception |
| 7–8:30 p.m. | Dinner & Awards Program |
| 8:30–10 p.m. | Dessert, DJ and Dancing |
PARKING INFORMATION
Discounted parking ($15) is available for Honors Gala guests. The entrance to the parking garage is 404 W. Harrison St. Those arriving by taxi and rideshare service should be dropped at 433 W. Van Buren St., at the northeast corner of the building along the river.
ATTIRE
Turn up the rhythm and bring the style. This evening celebrates the accomplishments of the most influential leaders in our industry, and the vibe is unmistakably jazz. Formal attire is encouraged—but this is not black tie. Feel free to lean into jazz-era flair, vintage elegance, or a modern take on classic glamour. Most importantly, wear something that makes you feel confident, energized, and ready to celebrate.
2026 HONORS GALA ADVISORY GROUP
This event wouldn't be possible without the help of our volunteer advisory group! Thank you to the following individuals for championing our message and advancing the mission of the Association Forum Foundation.
| Tyler Eble, Board Liaison | Gary LaBranche, FASAE, CAE |
| Katie Callahan-Giobbi, Chair | Kerri Leo |
| Emily Bennett, Vice Chair | George Miller |
| Cie Armstead | Joyce Paschall |
| TJ Baskerville | Lise' Puckorius |
| Doug Bennett | Mattie Scheeter |
| Sherry Budziak | Jennifer Scott |
| Nathan Chamberlain, CAE | Emily Stephens |
| Laura Downes | Zach Wahlquist |
| Sofi Garcia |
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About the Association Forum Foundation The Association Forum's Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from the Association Forum. It was founded in 1987 with the purpose of enhancing Association Forum's programs and services through research and scholarship initiatives.
Please consider making a one-time donation or a recurring pledge to the Association Forum Foundation to fuel scholarships for the leaders of tomorrow. |
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page!
