NEW YORK CITY TOURISM FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

Brand USA President and CEO Fred Dixon and Melba’s Restaurant Owner & Founder, Melba Wilson, to be Honored for their Contributions to New York City’s Tourism Industry   

Javits Center CEO Alan Steel to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award  

Charitable Arm of the City’s Official Tourism Organization Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary at the Plaza Hotel on December 9 

Tickets for This Year’s Gala Are Now on Sale 

New York City (November 4, 2024) — The New York City Tourism Foundation is proud to announce honorees for this year’s New York City Tourism Foundation Gala, which will occur on Monday, December 9, at the Plaza Hotel. This year’s honorees are prominent leaders who have significantly contributed to New York City’s tourism industry and played an integral part in its continued recovery:  

• Melba Wilson, Owner & Founder of Melba’s Restaurant 

• Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA; former President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions 

• Alan Steel, CEO of New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award 

This year’s New York City Tourism Foundation Gala will celebrate some of the City’s most prominent leaders while also marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. To purchase tickets to attend this year’s gala and support the New York City Tourism Foundation, visit https://corporate.nyctourism.com/foundation/gala-2024.   

The New York City Tourism Foundation—formerly the NYC & Company Foundation—is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the City’s official tourism organization and helps sustain the local nonprofit arts community through cultural tourism development, education and outreach projects citywide. Funds raised this year will be directed to the Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program, which supports audience development for cultural organizations in all five boroughs through microgrants administered in partnership with the City’s five Borough Presidents’ offices.    

“We’re so proud to celebrate 25 years of the New York City Tourism Foundation at this year’s annual gala, an event that continuously highlights leaders and businesses that have been instrumental in powering our city’s tourism economy. Our diverse arts and culture organizations across all five boroughs make New York City one of the most vibrant destinations in the world, attracting over 25 million cultural visitors each year,” said Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer and Interim CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “Our foundation is dedicated to helping ensure this important work continues. Congratulations to this year’s honorees. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable vision and partnership this December.”   

For over two decades, the New York City Tourism + Conventions Gala has honored distinguished leaders supporting New York City’s vibrant tourism sector. Past honorees include former Citigroup and Time Warner CEO and Chairman Richard Parsons, American Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg, the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, former New York City Deputy Mayor and Sidewalk Labs co-founder Dan Doctoroff, Carnival Corporation, Union Square Hospitality Group founder Danny Meyer, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, Delta Air Lines, Hilton Hotels and many others.    

The New York City Tourism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1999 to educate domestic and international audiences about New York City’s diverse and vibrant cultural community. The Foundation has provided more than $4.5 million in grants across the five boroughs through its Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program, which is administered by offices of the City’s five Borough Presidents. Grant recipient initiatives include the addition of new parks on Staten Island (Fresh Kills Park Alliance), creating citywide access to buildings and unique spaces (Open House New York), highlighting the music and dance of Queens’ diverse populations (Magar Association’s Himalayan Summer Street Festival, Queensboro Dance) and nurturing literary culture (Brooklyn Book Festival).  

About New York City Tourism + Conventions:    
New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City. Our mission is to invite the world and energize the City, building equitable, sustainable economic prosperity and community through tourism for the mutual benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.