Media Contact: Melanie Ramsey

17 June 2010 

THE FRED TIBBITTS & ASSOCIATES THIRD ANNUAL

“A Summer Evening at Bangkok with very Special Friends”

The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok

Tuesday 15 June 2010 

Bangkok-The Third Annual FTA “A Summer Evening at Bangkok with very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for the one hundred plus guests, who included hotel executives, managing directors, GMs, industry VIPs, press and sponsors.

The reception was hosted by Diageo Moet Hennessy with a variety of their most popular spirits prepared to perfection by celebrity mixologists; FIJI Waters was the water, Ronnefeldt Selected Teas served delicious iced teas, while Phillips Foods Asia provided the best quality crab meat for the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit culinary team’s mouth-watering assortment of canapés and hors d’ouvres.  All guests were formally announced by Vasin Chaiyawan, Director of Sales, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and gonged by Noppanon In-Aram, Banquet Operations Manager, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

The opening of the four-course gala dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the podium, who reminded the assembled hospitality industry elite that “Service is the highest calling”.  Fred then called for the fourteen “Loyalty Toasts”, a Tibbitts dinner grand tradition by several of the dinner VIP’s, including The Honorable Ronald S. Robinson, Consul General, Embassy of the United States of America; Richard Chapman, General Manager, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit; Thomas Hoeborn, Regional General Manager-Thailand, Hilton Worldwide; Narone Thasnanipas, CEO, SEAFCO PLC; Mark Van Ogtrop, Managing Director, Golden Tulip Hotels - South East Asia; Thomas Mayrhofer, Vice President – Restaurants, Bars & Events, Pan Pacific Group; Andrew Wood, Vice President, Skal International Asia; Eric Halin, General Manager, Rembrandt Hotel & Towers; Charles Jack, General Manager, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit and Danny McCafferty, General Manager, Dusit Thani Bangkok; all accomplished with Moet & Chandon Imperial, courtesy of Diageo Moet Hennessy.

Tibbitts announced that a portion of the proceeds from the FTA Summer Dinner at Bangkok would go to the National Elephant Conservation Center in Lamphang.  Tibbitts called forward Malai Sakolviphak, Treasurer, Skal International Thailand to accept the donation on behalf of Anchalee Kalmapijit, President, Hug Elephant Club.

“The Beaters”, a fabulous Beatles Tribute Band then played a long set of classic Beatles hits, concluding with “Twist & Shout”, which brought-down the house, many of whom were “Baby Boomers”, the youthful generation who propelled “The Fab Four” to international stardom in 1964.

Tibbitts announced that the recipient of the 2010 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator–Asia Pacific is Martin Rinck, President – Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.  As Rinck could not attend the dinner, Thomas Hoeborn, Regional General Manager-Thailand, Hilton Worldwide came to the podium to accept the recognition and spoke eloquently as to his personal observations on why Rinck richly deserves the recognition.

Tibbitts next announced that the 2010 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence as a Humanitarian are going to Rudolf Muller, Executive Chef, Hong Kong Disneyland and Otto Weibel, Director of Kitchens, Swissotel The Stamford & Fairmont Singapore.  Tibbitts concluded the award announcements with the 2010 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence, which he said is going to Richard Xu, Editor-in-Chief, New Western Cuisine (China) Magazine.

At the close of the cheese and wine service, Richard Chapman, General Manager, The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Summoned the Brigade to unanimous ovation.  The Parade of the Brigade was well-rehearsed and led by Executive Chef Michael Gremer and Banquet Operation Manager, Noppanon In-Aram.  The Parade culminated on stage with Chapman for a Brigade family portrait.  The service was flawless, the food and beverage the best and a feeling of warm, inviting hospitality filled the room from start to finish.  Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Assistant Director of Events, Aumporn Pornsakhan was the project coordinator from start to finish for which everyone may be most grateful for her very meaningful contribution to the success of the evening.

Fred Tibbitts & Associates is the leading global wine, spirits and related services consulting agency for National Account chain hotels and restaurants and event management, based at Menands, New York for the United States and Bangkok, Thailand for Asia Pacific.