LOUISVILLE, Ky. (September 18, 2024) – The Society for Hospitality & Foodservice Management (SHFM), the only association focused on Workplace Hospitality and Amenities in the Foodservice Industry, has announced the recipients of the 2024 President’s Mentorship Award, President’s Award and the Robert Pacifico Award. These prestigious honors were presented during the 2024 SHFM National Conference. SHFM also recognized the previously announced Directors’ Awards at events throughout the year. This annual tradition allows SHFM to celebrate industry leaders who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to the association and who have made significant contributions to the industry as a whole.
2024 Award Recipients
The winners for Best of Show, selected by a juried panel, include:
Most innovative or forward-thinking product or service: Botrista
Most sustainable or forward-thinking exhibit: Change Please Coffee
Robert Pacifico Award
Recipient: Russ Benson, DayOne Hospitality Consulting
The Robert Pacifico Award honors a deserving Supplier Member in recognition of extended, exemplary and dedicated service to the Society, the community and the broader corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry.
President’s Mentorship Award
Recipient: Eric Weiss, elite | studio e
The SHFM President’s Mentorship Award recognizes an individual who has mentored the SHFM President throughout their career. This special honor is reserved for exceptional circumstances and highlights the importance of long-standing relationships. The award celebrates individuals who provide consistent guidance, support and trusted counsel.
President’s Award
Recipient: Amanda Beni, HMG+
Chosen by the SHFM President, this award recognizes an individual who has been instrumental in the President’s career, supported the President throughout their term or contributed significant service to SHFM as a whole.
Previously Announced Directors’ Awards
Community Service Award
Recipient: Mboone Umbima, David Rio Chai & Tea
Awarded to an SHFM Member who goes above and beyond to support both the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry and their local community.
Spirit Award
Recipients: Sandy Lim Edwards, Guckenheimer, and Amy Lewis, Kitchens To Go
Presented to individuals who consistently demonstrate loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm for the Society.
Rising Young Professional Award
Recipient: Brad Silverstein, LifeWorks Restaurant Group
This award recognizes an emerging leader who has stood out among SHFM’s newest members through active engagement and support of SHFM committees and initiatives. The recipient shows strong potential to become a future leader within both the industry and the Society.
Leadership Award
Recipient: Davin Wickstrom, Vivreau Advanced Water Systems
Awarded to an individual whose efforts on behalf of SHFM and the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities.
Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award
Recipient: Sharon Eliatamby, World Bank Group
Given in memory of founding member Richard Ysmael, this award reflects his lifetime commitment to integrity, leadership and service. It honors individuals who exemplify these qualities through consistent dedication to the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry.
Jay B. Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award
Recipient: Tony Kaszuba, Tony Kaszuba Foodservice Consulting
This honor recognizes a lifetime of contributions and service to the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry. SHFM also recognized Innovation Showcase exhibitors whose presentations featured the most innovative and forward-thinking ideas.
People’s Choice Award Winners
Most innovative or forward-thinking product or service: elite | studio e
Most sustainable or forward-thinking exhibit: Beyond Meat
About SHFM
The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management is the only association focused on Workplace Hospitality and Amenities in the Foodservice Industry. As a result, SHFM empowers its members to create safe, productive and engaging workplace environments. It does this by providing mentorship, fellowship and access to segment-specific education. In addition, members gain exposure to innovative shared services, forward-thinking concepts and meaningful peer connections. For more information, please visit www.shfm-online.org.
