NYC & COMPANY FOUNDATION HOSTS 18TH ANNUAL VISIONARIES & VOICES GALA
NYC & COMPANY FOUNDATION HOSTS 18th ANNUAL VISIONARIES & VOICES GALA
—Disney Theatrical, British Airways and CityPASS Co-Chairmen Honored at Annual NYC Tourism Industry Event at Plaza Hotel—
New York City (November 29, 2018) —NYC & Company Foundation hosted its 18th annual Visionaries & Voices Gala yesterday evening at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Each year, the event celebrates iconic companies and leaders who embody the vibrancy and magnetism of New York City’s travel and tourism industry. This year’s honorees were Disney Theatrical Productions, British Airways and the Founders and Co-Chairmen of CityPASS, Mike Gallagher and Mike Morey, who received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
James Monroe Iglehart—2014 Tony Award® winner for Actor (Featured Role--Musical) as “Genie” in Disney Theatrical Productions’ Aladdin on Broadway and currently starring in Hamilton An American Musical on Broadway—served as the evening’s emcee. Ashley Brown—the lead character in Mary Poppins at the time of its Broadway debut in 2006—joined Iglehart on stage. More than 300 guests then enjoyed a medley of musical numbers performed by the pair, spotlighting both productions. The inclusion of Mary Poppins came in advance of Mary Poppins Returns, debuting in theaters nationwide December 19.
“We’re pleased to recognize distinguished leaders who contribute so much to New York City’s growing tourism economy,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company President and CEO, and NYC & Company Foundation President and Chair. “We thank our 2018 honorees, gala attendees and industry colleagues for their generous support of the NYC & Company Foundation.”
“The Visionaries & Voices Gala supports the NYC & Company Foundation in its mission to develop and sustain New York City’s diverse arts community,” said Emily Rafferty, President Emerita of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Chairman of NYC & Company. “Without question, NYC is the arts and culture capital of the world; ultimately, the arts draw nearly half of NYC’s 65 million annual visitors.”
The NYC & Company Foundation supports the positive impact of tourism on NYC. In 2018, the charitable organization provided grant funding for more than 50 cultural events and programs across the five boroughs—including 20 new recipients for 2018—and supported the development of talent pipelines connecting NYC residents to diverse career paths in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The 2018 Visionaries & Voices awards were accepted on stage by Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions; Claire Bentley, Managing Director British Airways Holidays, and Simon Brooks, Senior Vice President Sales, North America British Airways; Mike Gallagher and Mike Morey, Founders and Co-Chairmen of CityPASS. Presenters included Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Roger Dow, President and CEO of U.S. Travel Association.
About NYC & Company Foundation
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York. The NYC & Company Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that helps sustain New York City’s extraordinary nonprofit arts community through cultural tourism development, audience education and outreach projects. Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has focused on educating domestic and international audiences about the vibrant and diverse cultural community throughout all five boroughs of New York City.
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Visionaries & Voices Gala Step-and-Repeat Images for Download: Credit Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYC & Company
Visionaries and Voices Gala Atmospheric Shots and Honorees and VIP Candid Images for Download: Credit Walter Wlodarczyk/NYC & Company
Visionaries & Voices Gala Detail Shots and Awards Images for Download: Credit Brittany Petronella/NYC & Company
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