NYC & COMPANY FOUNDATION HONORS DELTA AIR LINES, THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY, AND JOSEPH E. SPINNATO

NYC & COMPANY FOUNDATION HONORS
DELTA AIR LINES, THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY, AND JOSEPH E. SPINNATO AT ANNUAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS GALA

—More Than 400 Guests Attended the Event, Hosted by
Grammy Award Winning Artist Jennifer Nettles—

New York City (December 9, 2014) – The NYC & Company Foundation today honored Delta Air Lines, the Hotel Association of New York City and its president Joseph E. Spinnato for their commitment to and support of New York City tourism at its annual Leadership Awards Gala, held at Cipriani 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. The event was hosted by Grammy Award Winning Artist Jennifer Nettles.

“Many people and institutions play a part in maintaining New York City’s tourism industry as a powerful economic engine, and we are honored to recognize Delta, the Hotel Association of NYC and Joe Spinnato for their extraordinary contributions to the economic and cultural vibrancy of New York City,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company. “NYC & Company Foundation’s Leadership Awards Gala will also fund the foundation’s support and promotion of NYC culture, encouraging visitors to explore the unique offerings of all five boroughs.”

Commented Emily K. Rafferty, chair of NYC & Company and President of The Metropolitan Museum of Art: “Supporting culture in every borough is essential to sustaining and growing New York City’s economy. The NYC & Company Foundation’s support and promotion of cultural institutions will help ensure that the City remains the international epicenter of culture, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world to explore and celebrate our extraordinary attractions.”

 “Delta is so proud to receive this honor, which recognizes our airline’s deep roots in New York City alongside our current and continuing efforts to improve our airports and enhance the customer experience,” said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president – New York. “Delta’s ability to make New York easily accessible to the rest of the world is a commitment we hold strong, and we look forward to working with NYC & Company to further our shared goals of boosting New York’s economy and creating new opportunities for tourism and travel.”

"The Hotel Association of NYC is honored to be recognized for its hospitality industry leadership,” said Geoffrey Mills, chair of the Hotel Association of NYC. “We are especially pleased to partner with Fred Dixon and the NYC & Company team as we roll out the red carpet and attract visitors from across the country and around the world to stay in the best properties any city has to offer."

"I am honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award. It has been a privilege to work alongside the best and brightest people in the hospitality business,” said Joseph Spinnato, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of NYC. “Representing some of the world's greatest hotels for nearly three decades has been a remarkable experience."

More than 400 guests attended the annual event, hosted by Jennifer Nettles, including Metropolitan Museum of Art President and NYC & Company Board Chair Emily Rafferty, NYC & Company President & CEO Fred Dixon, New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen, Loews Hotels Chairman Jonathan Tisch, Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn Wylde, Alliance for Downtown New York President Jessica Lappin, Myriad Restaurant Group Partner Tracy Nieporent, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center President & CEO Alan Steel, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum President Susan Marenoff Zausner, and The Durst Organization Vice President Helena Durst.

About NYC & Company Foundation
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York. NYC & Company Foundation is the affiliated charitable organization whose cultural tourism, audience education and outreach projects help sustain the extraordinary nonprofit cultural communities of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The annual Leadership Awards Gala is NYC & Company Foundation’s principal source of funding.

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Contact: NYC & Company / Dena Libner 212-484-1270
Chris Heywood 212-484-1270