From left: Laura Hansen, COO of Pizza Lucé; Cherryh Butler, editor of PizzaMarketplace; and J.J. Haywood, CEO of Pizza Lucé, enjoyed wine and beer at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse & Bar in downtown Chicago.

Tricia Murphy, NEC, and Bobby Renaud, VP of events for NetWorld Alliance, the producer of the Pizza Executive Summit.

Bob Surman, from HomeMade Pizza Co., talked with Barry Klein, of Go Roma. Barry created the Ronald McDonald character for McDonald’s and led the Executive Summit's brain exchange discussion about marketing strategies and tactics.

From left: Scott Miller, from Burke Corp.; Dirk Merle, from VAP wheat co-op; and Steven Willis, with Musco Family Olive Co.

From left: Felicia Braude, editor of PizzaLoverChicago.com; Travis Guthman, from The Pizza Peel; Carlos Herrera, from The Coca-Cola Company North America; and J. Forbes Anderson, chief strategy officer for CiCi’s Pizza.

Maria Santonato, Noble; Berry Dunham and son Chapman, Mafia Mike’s Pizza; and Gerry O’Brion. O'Brion delivered the Summit's morning keynote presentation: What the Big Brands Know.

Nick Sarillio, president and founder of Nick’s Pizza & Pub, prepared for a drink.

Scott Miller, from Burke Corp.; Chris Craig, from Escalon; Gennaro DiMeo and Michele DiMeo, from Squisito Pizza and Pasta; and John Hoffman, Pagalo’s Pizzeria and Gelato café.

Monical Pizza had four folks on hand: Harry Bond, Max Brigham, Carol Roosevelt and Janelle Reents. Beside them sat Betsy Craig, from MenuTrinfo.

PizzaMarketplace editor Cherryh Butler; Libby Libhart, Loss Busters; Don Fox, Firehouse Subs; and Suzy Badaracco, Culinary Tides.

Tricia Murphy, representing platinum sponsor NEC, toasted the start of dinner at Harry Caray’s.

Consultant Rudy Miick shared a moment with Betsy Craig, from MenuTrinfo, at the opening reception.

Chris Conneen, from Pizza Gallery and Grill, and Felicia Braude, editor of PizzaLoverChicago.com.

Tricia Murphy, from NEC, and Jason Ashcraft, organizer for Summit producer NetWorld Alliance, at the opening reception.

Barry Klein, from Go Roma, gets a hug from Valerie Killifer, vice president of foodservice media for NetWorld Alliance, which publishes PizzaMarketplace.