Sam Toia

President and CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association

Speaker

Since 2012, Sam Toia has served as president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), a non-profit trade association representing the state’s second largest private sector employer. Toia is responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the IRA, increasing its membership base, and maintaining positive relations with public officials and state and local agencies.

Toia is a graduate of DePaul University and a specialist in community and government relations. He has served in leadership positions in several civic and public agencies. Previously, he was a board member for McPier (McCormick Place Navy Pier) from 2003 to 2010. In 2011, Toia was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, where he held that position until 2024. He was also a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Choose Chicago from 2016 to 2022.