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

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

Bob Surman, from HomeMade Pizza Co., talked with Barry Klein, from Go Roma. Barry was the creator of the Ronald McDonald character for McDonald’s

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

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

Maria Santonato, Noble; Berry Dunham and son Chapman, Mafia Mike’s Pizza; and Gerry O’Brion.

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 Haray Caray’s.

Consultant Rudy Miick shared a moment with Betsy Craig, from Menu Trinfo, 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.