Overview
The Honors Gala™ is a long-standing tradition for Chicagoland associations and serves as the Association Forum Foundation’s cornerstone fundraising event of the year. The evening brings together 400–600 association professionals and supporting members to celebrate and honor the achievements of industry colleagues. During the event, key industry leaders are recognized with the Association Forum’s Honors Awards.
The Honors Gala Advisory Group
- Raises awareness of the Honors Gala within the association community
- Sells tables, tickets, and partnerships for the Association Forum Foundation’s chief fundraising event of the year
- Advises on the structure and format of the event to maximize attendee satisfaction and fundraising potential
Recommended for Members Who Are
Association professionals or supporting members with strong ties to the association community who can leverage their networks to support fundraising efforts for the Honors Gala.
Time Commitment
Virtual committee calls begin in the fall of the previous year, with the bulk of meetings taking place January–June during the event year. Members should also anticipate dedicated time for outreach to colleagues and clients via email and phone to support ticket and table sales. Contact lists and outreach templates are provided by Association Forum.
2026 - 2027 Members
Chair: Katie Callahan-Giobbi
Vice Chair: Emily Bennett
Members:
TJ Baskerville
Nathan Chamberlain, CAE
Sofi Garcia
Kathy Keller
Gary LaBranche, FASAE, CAE
Kerri Leo, MATD, CAE, CHCP
George Miller, MS, CAE
Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP, CMM
Lise Puckorius, CAE
Board Liaison: Tyler Eble
Staff Liaison: Alec Rosofsky, CAE, CMP