FAQs
Questions? We have answers!
Check out our full list of frequently asked questions below.
Why is HBA moving the Woman of the Year Gala outside of New York City?
The HBA has outgrown the capacity of New York City’s biggest ballrooms where attendance is limited to 1,800 seats (or less)—typically resulting in a Woman of the Year event sell-out in the first few weeks. Future locations offer 20 percent more seats, more tables, more capacity.
As the HBA’s footprint grows beyond the traditional east coast hold, we know that more than 60 percent of our members live outside the greater North East and Mid Atlantic and so it was time to move this annual signature event to different and rotating locations.
Why Chicago and San Diego?
The HBA team did its due diligence researching cities, meeting space capacity, transportation options, accessibility for HBA members, and proximity to Corporate Partner locations to ascertain what locations would best accommodate our current and growing Woman of the Year attendee audience.
2025 HBA Woman of the Year
Date: Friday, 9 May 2025
City: Chicago, IL
Venue: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Venue Information: Located in the heart of the city and on the Chicago River near top Chicago attractions i.e., Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile.
2026 HBA Woman of the Year
Date: Friday, 24 April 2026
City: San Diego, CA
Venue: Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center
Venue Information: Brand-new property opening in late Spring 2025, premier bayfront location offering unimpeded views across the bay to the Pacific Ocean, only 7 miles from downtown San Diego and 11 miles from San Diego International Airport.
Additional Questions
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have a question about HBA membership, please email membership@HBAnet.org.
If you have a question about 2025 HBA Woman of the Year sponsorship options, contact your Account Manager.
If you have a housing inquiry, please call the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk hotel at (312) 464-1000 and mention the HBA Woman of the Year hotel block.
For all other HBA Woman of the Year inquiries, email HBA@HBAnet.org.