SOLD OUT! Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 11:30AM - 1:15PM | Century Center
Celebrating Individual and Business Success
Presented by the Chamber in partnership with 1st Source Bank, the Salute to Business Luncheon recognizes and honors individual and business successes within the South Bend Region. Highlighting the spirit of excellence, the prestigious gathering will feature the presentation of six awards—spotlighting the dedication, leadership and transformative efforts of individuals and businesses that have played a pivotal role in shaping the success story of our community.
Enjoy a delightful lunch, a conversation with Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, while also taking time to network, share ideas and build connections within the vibrant business community of the South Bend Region.
Event Timeline
11:00 Doors open/networking
11:35 Please be in your seats
11:35 Event begins; Jeff Rea speaks
Lunch
Presentation of 3 awards
A Conversation with University of Notre Dame Vice President and Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua
Presentation of final 3 awards
1:15 End of event
Awards
Distinguished Business Leader - Gary Fox (Crowe)
Economic Impact - Amazon Web Services
Lifting Voices - South Bend Civic Theatre
Outstanding Young Business Leader - David Walters (Gibson)
Small Business of the Year - Pure Green Farms
Woman of Influence - Andrea Short (1st Source Bank)
A Conversation With
Pete Bevacqua became vice president and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics at the University of Notre Dame on March 25, 2024, succeeding Jack Swarbrick. Bevacqua joined the University on July 1, 2023, in the role of Special Assistant to the President for Athletics, benefiting from the mentorship of Swarbrick before assuming leadership of the athletics department. In his short time leading the Athletics Department, Bevacqua has already squarely positioned himself as a leading voice nationally in regards to collegiate athletics, media rights, the importance of student-athlete experience, and name, image and likeness.
In his term on campus prior to moving into his Athletic Director position, Bevacqua helped negotiate an extension to Notre Dame and NBC’s partnership and developed a framework with the College Football Playoff Management Committee to solidify a new television contract with ESPN.
Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Bevacqua was the third chairman in the history of NBC Sports, leading NBC Sports in its unprecedented collection of assets and platforms, which included the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Major League Baseball, the English Premier League, NASCAR, WWE, the Kentucky Derby, IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500, the Tour de France, French Open, USFL, the B1G Conference, Notre Dame Football, and numerous golf properties, including the PGA Tour and USGA Championships.
Bevacqua serves as a co-chair of RISE, an alliance of major sports organizations, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and the NCAA that promotes racial equality across the U.S. sports landscape. His RISE co-chair is Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations for the NFL.
He previously served as chief executive officer of the PGA of America. Among his many accomplishments, Bevacqua moved up the PGA Championship—one of golf’s four majors—to May in the golf calendar and created the United States Ryder Cup Task Force. Prior to the PGA, Bevacqua served as Global Head of Golf at CAA. He was also Chief Business Officer for the USGA and served as the first Managing Director of the U.S. Open Championship.
A 1993 graduate of Notre Dame, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1997, where he graduated cum laude. He began his career as an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City. Bevacqua and his wife, Tiffany, have three children.
Enjoy
- Lunch
- The energy of gathering and connecting with other businesses in person
- A spectacular show full of fun and celebration
- Recognition of 6 deserving honorees
- A fireside chat with Pete Bevacqua
- Business/business casual attire
Cost & Registration
Members
$400 Table of 8
$50 Per Person
Nonmembers
$640 Table of 8
$80 Per Person
REGISTRATION CLOSED. SOLD OUT. NO WALK-INS
Advance reservations only. No refunds after February 20, 2025. Table assignments will be emailed to registration contacts approximately one week prior to the event.
Questions about registration? Contact Experience Manager Jacee Wesolowski at 574.400.4002.
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