NEW YORK, NY (April 29, 2015) – The Greater New York Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and its Past President’s Council representing the region’s hospitality industry, has announced that Marriott Hotels will be the recipient of the 22nd Annual Frank W. Berkman Tourism Achievement Award.
The award, presented by the Past Presidents of the HSMAI Greater New York Chapter to recognize and honor individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the tourism industry in New York City, will be given at a black tie event on Monday June 22, 2015.
“With 124 hotels and counting, Marriott Hotels has made a major commitment to New York City. The Marriott Marquis was the cornerstone of the Times Square redevelopment which led to a renaissance in that critical tourist destination that continues to this day,” noted Laura Osborne, Chair of the Past President’s council.
Osborne said: “The Marriott Brooklyn Bridge played a similar role in the emergence of Brooklyn as one of the “must see” destinations for visitors to New York. With a broad spectrum of quality brands, Marriott has something for every visitor to the Big Apple.
“For all of these reasons, The Greater New York Chapter of HSMAI looks forward to honoring Marriott Hotels as the 2015 recipient of the Frank W. Berkman Tourism Achievement Award, which will be presented at a black-tie dinner/dance at the JW Marriott Essex House on Monday, June 22, 2015. Hospitality, travel and tourism executives from across all categories of the industry attend this annual awards event.”
David S. Marriott, Chief Operations Officer – Eastern Region for Marriott International will be accepting the award on behalf of the company and employees of Marriott that have made such a positive impact on New York tourism.
The evening will include the presentation of the HSMAI Greater New York Chapter’s annual industry awards recognizing excellence among general managers, directors of sales, marketing, revenue management, operations, and more.
This award was created by the Greater New York Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International in 1994 to recognize those individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the travel and tourism industry in New York City. The award was named for Frank W. Berkman who, for 16 years, was the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of HSMAI and because of his dedication to building HSMAI into the highly-influential international hospitality industry organization it is today.
Previous recipients recognized for their outstanding contributions in New York City include:
- 2014 – The Empire State Building
- 2013 – Rockefeller Center
- 2012 – NYC & Company
- 2011 – Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center
- 2010 – Times Square Alliance
- 2009 – United States Tennis Association U.S. Open
- 2008 – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
- 2007 – Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes
- 2006 – Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels
- 2005 – ING New York City Marathon
- 2004 – The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting
- 2003 – Macy’s
- 2002 – New York City FDNY, EMTs, NYPD & Port Authority Police
- 2001 – Starwood Hotels
- 2000 – The League of American Theatre & Producers
- 1999 – The Today Show
- 1998 – Donald Trump
- 1997 – New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
- 1996 – Arthur Surin, Senior Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation
- 1995 – Robert Preston Tisch, Chairman of the Board for Loews Hotels
- 1994 – Charles Gillette, Chair of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tickets for the Frank W. Berkman Dinner are available at $225 until June 15th ($250 after June 15th). A special commemorative journal is being published for this prestigious tourism event. Tickets and journal messages celebrating the honorees can be purchased by going to the website at www.hsmainyc.org or by contacting Kathie Stapleton at 914-762-1456; fax: 914-944-9227; or e-mail: kstapleton@hsmainyc.org.
