Travel industry movers and shakers from around the globe jetted to New York City recently to celebrate the recipients of this year’s GT Tested Awards. Glitz and glamour were the order of the day as hundreds of guests packed the brand-new Andaz Wall Street for a reception at Wall & Water, the hotel’s dazzling eatery featuring a showcase kitchen and views of the East River.

Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard was on hand to congratulate award winners and kick off GT’s annual silent auction. This year’s auction benefits The Mentor Foundation, a cause close to Howard’s heart. Founded in 1993, the Mentor Foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization focused on “helping the helpers.” The organization aims to prevent drug misuse by helping individuals who work with young people find the best ways to implement effective drug prevention initiatives. Global Traveler’s GT Tested Awards are among the most prestigious in the business and luxury travel industry. Winners — many of whom consistently and generously donate goods and services to GT’s annual auction — are named based on the results of an open-ended survey of Global Traveler readers, an elite group of experienced world travelers.

Sincere thanks for including me in the GT Tested Awards reception. The venue, food and guests were nothing short of fabulous. Congratulations on hosting a truly successful event.

– Heather M. Broward, senior vice president sales and marketing, Dawson Media Direct

Thanks for the great evening in the Andaz Wall Street. What a nice crowd. What a nice location; all paired with great food and wine. What else can you ask for? Ah, right; thanks for the awards, too.

– Martin Riecken, director, head of corporate communications The Americas, Deutsche Lufthansa AG

Thank you on behalf of TAP for the wonderful and warm reception at the GT Tested Awards. The food, wine and venue were superb.

– Gloria Melo, customer relations and advertising, TAP Portugal

Great job in a very cool venue.

– John Massey, manager, marketing programs and industry affairs, Air India

The GT Tested Awards reception was extremely well done. The turnout, given the tough advertising climate, was extremely positive. You certainly have a fan club.

– Rick Irwin, senior vice president, Clifford Paper

Award Recipients

1. Asiana Airlines’ flight attendants; Terrence Howard; Ja Joon Goo, general manager, cabin crew operations, Asiana Airlines

2. Terrence Howard; John Wroblewski, distribution specialist, Global Traveler

Terrence Howard; Fatima da Gloria De Sousa, director, brand and communications, SkyTeam

John Massey, manager, marketing programs and industry affairs, Air India

Nihan Bekar, director, Turkish Culture and Tourism Office

Patrick Khoury, senior director, sales, USA, Air Canada

Pam Hufnagel, director of marketing management, voice services, AT&T Wireless

Frank Bowling, ambassador, Montage Beverly Hills

Robin Middleton, regional general manager, Etihad Airways

Terrence Howard; Ken Bright, vice president of marketing, Americas, Singapore Airlines

Dawn Callahan, vice president, consumer marketing, Boingo Wireless

Andrea Zaretsky, vice president, Membership Rewards marketing, American Express

Richard Chambers, vice president, leisure marketing, luxury brands, Hilton Corporation

Annette Reantragoon, general manager, USA, Swiss International Air Lines