Yardley, PA, Jan. 20, 2011 – Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine for business and luxury travelers, hosted its seventh annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards reception on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City.
More than 200 guests gathered to congratulate the respected winners on their achievements. Guest speaker Vince Papale, former NFL player and the inspiration for the blockbuster movie Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg, appeared on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Papale inspired the crowd to action with a speech on
his personal journey to overcome cancer and the importance of finding a cure.
Papale urged attendees to donate travel-related prizes to Global Traveler’s charity auction, benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The auction kicks off March 1. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. To learn more, visit www.lls.org.
“Vince Papale’s story of overcoming the odds resonates with everyone and we were honored to welcome him to our event,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “A big thank-you to Andaz 5th Avenue for helping us host such a successful event. The turnout was superb, with executives worldwide attending. Congratulations once again to the winners: What an honor to have you join us.”
Award winners traveled from around the world to accept accolades on behalf of their companies. In attendance:
Rohan Alce, vice president, Etihad Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Jose Alvarado, general manager, Iberia Airlines
Best Red Wine
Trip Barrett, senior vice president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Don Berg, vice president loyalty programs, InterContinental Hotels Group
Best Hotel Rewards Program
Michael Blunt, vice president, corporate affairs, oneworld
Best Airline Alliance, Best Alliance Wines on the Wing
Jim Carter, vice president, American Airlines
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
Rolando Damas, general manager, North America and Asia, Avianca
Best Airline in Central/South America
Sinead El Sibai, manager of events, advertising and media coordination, Dubai Duty Free
Best Duty Free
David Erich, commercial and marketing director, OpenSkies
Best All-Business-Class Airline
Jeff Foland, president, United Mileage Plus
Best Frequent-Flyer Program
Satoru Fujiki, senior vice president, All Nippon Airways
Best Airline to Japan
Offer Gat, general manager, EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Airline for Security
Young Geun Lee, vice president, Incheon International Airport
Best Airport in the World
Jorge Goytortua, vice president sales, North America, Aeromexico
Best Airline in Mexico
Andy Grodecki, vice president, Virgin Atlantic Airways
Best Airline for Premium-Economy Class
Dorota Haller, marketing director, LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
T.K. Han, executive vice president, airport and cabin services, Asiana Airlines
Best Airline in North Asia, Best Trans-Pacific Airline, Best Flight Attendants & Onboard
Service
Tony Hughes, senior vice president, the Americas, Qatar Airways
Best White Wine
Adrian Ingles, country manager, Philippine Airlines
Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Sara Kearney, senior vice president brands, Hyatt
Best International Hotel Chain, Best Hotel Club Floor, Best Lifestyle Hotel
Shannon Knapp, vice president, American Express Membership Rewards
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
Richard Krulik, chief executive officer, Briggs & Riley
Best Luggage Brand
Craig Landry, vice president, marketing, Air Canada
Best Airline in North America
Nicola Lange, director of marketing and customer relations, Lufthansa
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Alan Lim, vice president, Singapore Airlines
Best Airline in the World
Alice Liu, managing director, onboard services, American Airlines
Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Red Wine, Best North
American Sparkling Wine
Won Ma, vice president, Korean Air
Best Business-Class Seat Design, Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Chandra Mahtani, head of airside planning and leasing, Singapore Changi Airport
Best Airport Dining
Lisa Markovic, vice president, Jet Airways
Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India, Best Sparkling Wine
Todd Neumann, vice president, South African Airways
Best Airline in Africa
Dave Pflieger, chief executive officer, Air Pacific
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Ranga Rajan, director, India Tourism
Best International Tourism Destination
Annette Reantragoon, director of passenger sales, Swiss International Air Lines
Best First-Class Seat Design
Kathleen Shea, vice president, sales and marketing, the Americas, Taj Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel in the United States — Taj Campton Place, San Francisco, Calif.
Simon Talling-Smith, executive vice president Americas, British Airways
Best Airline for Business Class
Cathie Sych, vice president, Qantas
Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand
Antonio Temporini, senior vice president, Alitalia
Best Airline Cuisine
Skip Thompson, director of airline marketing, Boeing
Best Aircraft Type
Srisuda Wanapinyosak, director, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Best International Business City
Brian Windle, vice president, sales and marketing, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
For more information on Global Traveler, visit newgtsite.wpengine.com. Read more about the awards reception in the March 2011 issue, available March 1.
About Global Traveler
Global Traveler is a business travel and lifestyle publication and the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited
U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. No other monthly magazine in its category boasts a higher audited circulation or page count. Ninety percent of its readership has average household income in excess of $100,000; 96 percent attended or graduated from college; and 98 percent of its readers are either top management or professionals.
About FXExpress Publications
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler magazine; eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at newgtsite.wpengine.com/eflyer; and eFlyer Asia, www.globaltravellerasia.com/eflyer. The company also operates newgtsite.wpengine.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and blog.www.globaltravelerusa.com. The company produces several annuals, including the Class
Act Book, Global City Guidebook, Luxury Book, Globility book series and custom publishing for various entities.
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