Media Contact: Fred Tibbitts, Jr.

3 March 2011

FRED TIBBITTS & ASSOCIATES FIFTEENTH ANNUAL

“A Spring Evening in New York with Very Special Friends”

The Union League Club, New York City, 1 March 2011

New York City – The Fifteenth Annual FTA “A Spring Evening in New York with Very Special Friends” at The Union League Club proved to be another memorable event for the one hundred-thirty-five guests, who included two of the FTA 2011 honorees, hotel and restaurant senior executives, presidents, vice presidents, managing directors, industry VIP’s, industry press and sponsors.

The reception was trade show style, showcasing the products and services of the sponsors.  All guests were formally announced.

The four-course gala dinner brought Fred Tibbitts, Jr., President & CEO of Fred Tibbitts & Associates, Inc. to the podium, who welcomed the guests and within his opening remarks, urged one and all to do more for those less fortunate.  Tibbitts then called for the ecumenical prayers by some of the most renowned clergy in America.  The Reformed Grace by Rett Zabriskie, Domine, The Holland Society of New York was one of wit and substance; the Old Catholic Church in America Grace by Reverend Alexandra Honigsberg asked for peace; the Tibetan Buddhist Grace by the Venerable Lama Pema Wangdak was said and then chanted with deep abiding serenity in Tibetan.  And Stacy Offner, Rabbi, Adath Emanue-El spoke of the “Graces” and why they offer the fruit of the vine.

The fifteen Loyalty Toasts by several of the dinner’s VIP’s, including Pam Inman, Executive Vice President & COO, American Hotel & Lodging Association; David Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer, National Restaurant Association; Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-in-Chief, The Tasting Panel Magazine; Barry Lewin, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Hilton Worldwide; Dick Cattani, CEO, Premier Hospitality Group, Compass Group; David Tetens, Director of Food & Beverage, North America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Burton “Skip” Sack, Chairman/Partner, Classic Restaurant Concepts; Dante Alexander, Vice President of Operations, Westmount Hospitality; Captain George Korchowsky, US Navy (Retired); Kenneth Hill, President, Kenneth Hill Associates; Marc Sachs, Marc Sachs Consulting; Bill Samenfink, Immediate-Past President, ICHRIE; Hugh Williamson Noble, Prudential Elliman; Walton Van Winkle III, Past President, The Holland Society of New York; all culminating with the legendary “Knickerbocker Toast” by American poet laureate, John Blake.

Fred Tibbitts asked Khenpo Lama Pema Wangdak, Director of the Vikramasila Foundation to come forward to be presented by Tibbitts with a donation of $500.00 from the dinner proceeds for the benefit of Lama Pema’s work with Tibetan refugee youths in Nepal and India through Tibet House U.S.

The 2011 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence were announced as follows:

2011 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an IT Innovator

Announced by Jerry Leeman

CEO, Perk Dynamics, Inc.

MICROS Systems, Inc.

To be accepted by Peter Rogers

Executive Vice President, Officer

2011 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator – North America

Announced by Pam Inman

Executive Vice President & COO, American Hotel & Lodging Association

Brian Abel

Vice President, Food & Beverage, North America

Starwood Hotels & Resorts

2011 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator – Asia Pacific

Announced by Pam Inman

Andreas Stalder

Vice President, Product & Brand Development

Hyatt International-Asia Pacific

2011 FTA Hospitality Award for Lifetime Excellence

Announced by Pam Inman

Eric Long

General Manager, The Waldorf = Astoria

Personal Comments by Barry Lewin, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations

Hilton Worldwide

2011 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as a Humanitarian

Announced by Khenpo Lama Pema Wangdak

Robert Thurman

President, Tibet House US & Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-

Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia University

The 2011 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence will be presented along with scholarships in the names of those whom we honor for those based in Asia Pacific at Hong Kong on 11 October at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin and for those based in North America at New York City at The Union League Club on

15 November.

The menu was superbly crafted and the dinner skillfully prepared by legendary Executive Chef Jacques Thiebeutt; while the wines were artfully paired by famed New York wine educator, Harriet Lembeck, CEO, Wine & Spirits Program.  Phillips Foods served their crab at the reception as well as for the dinner First Course, “Phillips Chesapeake Jumbo Crab Cakes”; while Strassburger Meats served their beef filet as well as their “Suzy Sirloin” lamb, cheese & parsley sausage; “Suzy Sirloin” Sweet Italian Veal Sausage; and “Suzy Sirloin” Ground Veal Meatballs at the reception.

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

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