THIS MONTH AT A GLANCE: FEBRUARY EDITION
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
ILEA NEW YORK METRO
FEBRUARY 2026
REDEFINING HOW EVENTS DO FOOD, SUSTAINABLY:
WITH THOMAS PRETI AND FOODRECOVERY.ORG
January 14, 2026 – The Altman Building
Thomas Preti Catering and FoodRecovery.org joined us for a thought-provoking discussion on food sustainability, bringing together hospitality and event professionals for an engaging conversation about the future of responsible dining within the events industry. The evening paired meaningful dialogue with a curated culinary experience that embodied the very principles being explored.
Food sustainability is more than a trend. It is a critical shift in how we source, prepare, and serve. From reducing waste to prioritizing local and seasonal ingredients, sustainable practices help lower environmental impact while elevating the overall guest experience.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH
Member of the Month
Amanda Pilar Smith
Founder & Principal,
Amanda Smith Hospitality Group
Board Member of the Month
Julia Craig
Major Event Operations Manager,
Degy Entertainment
Director of Education & Programs,
ILEA NY Metro
Sponsor of the Month
JC Lemon Photography
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE!
March 10th, 8:30AM - 11:00AM
NeueHouse, 110 E 25th St, New York, NY 10010, USA
Educational Breakfast coming soon…
THANK YOU TO OUR RECENT SPONSORS!
We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of our sponsors, whose partnership makes these incredible experiences possible for our community.
LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED?
Give 2 Hours, Gain 12 Months of Visibility!
ILEA NY is looking for photographers, venues, and caterers to donate their services for an upcoming industry networking event. In return for your generosity, you and your organization will enjoy a full year of exposure, including:
A feature in the ILEA NY newsletter reaching 4,000 event professionals
Highlights across our social media channels
Verbal recognition during the event
A spotlight on our LinkedIn page
Interested in partnering with ILEA NY and showcasing your brand to the local event community?
Email us at info@ileanyc.com to get started!
Join a Committee!
Committee members play a vital role in our chapter. Volunteering is a great way to get the most out of your membership - meet and connect with fellow members, help build the chapter and industry, and become more rooted within our community!
Committee roles are volunteer positions, and can be tailored to fit your experience and availability. We understand that everyone’s ability to participate is different, and we welcome and appreciate your help, time, and skill set. Our committees typically meet a minimum of four times a year.
Our committees include:
Awards/Gala
Marketing + Communications
Membership
Programs + Education
Interested in learning more? Reach out to info@ileanyc.com for more information!
Volunteer Opportunities: info@ileanyc.com
Membership: Vlad Kalman, vlad@fastprintingnyc.com
Sponsorships: Lois Wilkins, lois@wsqproductions.com
Communications: Juliette Jones, juliette@wizardstudios.com
