NEW YORK CITY TOURISM FOUNDATION HOSTS ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

David Rockwell Founder & President of Rockwell Group, and The Miranda Family Honored for Contributions to New York City’s Tourism Industry

Kathryn Wylde Received Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership at Partnership for New York City

Event Raised Funds for Small Arts and Culture Organizations Citywide

New York City (December 9, 2025) — The New York City Tourism Foundation honored leaders from the City’s creative and civic industries at its annual Gala at the Plaza Hotel last night. The event, which raised nearly $800,000, celebrates prominent leaders who have significantly contributed to New York City’s tourism industry - an industry that generates more than $50 billion in economic activity annually and supports more than 387,000 jobs—underscoring their integral role in the City’s vitality and global appeal.

The New York City Tourism Foundation is the charitable arm of the City’s official tourism organization supporting the local nonprofit arts community through cultural tourism development, education, and outreach projects citywide. Funds raised last night will support the Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program, which provided funding for audience development for cultural organizations and is administered in partnership with the City’s five Borough Presidents’ offices.

“Each year, the New York City Foundation Gala celebrates leaders and organizations that greatly contribute to our City’s tourism industry and economy. Over the years, our Gala has raised more than $20 million to support institutions across all five boroughs -- essential spaces that make our City one of the best in the world for arts and culture,” said Charles Flateman, Board Chair of New York City Tourism + Conventions and Executive Vice President of The Shubert Organization. “Congratulations to this year’s honorees and a special thank you to the many people who continue to support the work of our Foundation.”

“This year’s honorees embody the kind of leadership that defines New York City: visionaries in their fields and deeply committed to our city and the communities they serve,” said Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “The Miranda Family, Kathy Wylde and David Rockwell have helped shape our City’s cultural landscape – creating incredible economic impact while doing so. Their work has enriched the visitor experience and the lives of New Yorkers. We are proud to celebrate their achievements as we advance our Foundation’s mission to ensure that New York City remains the cultural capital of the world."

This year’s honorees were:

• David Rockwell, Founder & President of Rockwell Group, the award-winning multidisciplinary architecture and design firm. Founded in 1984, David Rockwell established his namesake practice five years after graduating from architecture school with a desire to constantly learn and create. Today, he and his 350-person team design spaces centered on fostering connection and curiosity. Rockwell’s work includes notable dining destinations such as Nobu, The Corner Store, Union Square Café, Seahorse, and Din Tai Fung NY. His hotel portfolio includes W New York – Union Square and CIVILIAN Hotel, and his work in the cultural space includes the Hayes Theater, PAC NYC, The Shed, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Lead Architect and Rockwell Group, Collaborating Architect and various pro bono initiatives including Imagination Playground, DineOut NYC, Open Stage NYC, Stoop NYC, and most recently, Cork Collective. Rockwell has also designed sets for over 100 Broadway productions including She Loves Me, for which Mr. Rockwell received a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical, and current shows ART and Chess.

• The Miranda Family: For more than 40 years of community activism and philanthropy, Luis A. Miranda, Jr., and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda have given back to their community alongside their children and family members including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luz Miranda-Crespo, Miguel Towns, Luis Crespo, and Vanessa Nadal. Through their work and commitment to social justice and arts education, the family has created and supported institutions uplifting underserved communities in Upper Manhattan and throughout the five boroughs. The family has played a pivotal role in inspiring younger generations to experience theater and launched numerous initiatives supporting artists of color in New York City—from improving access to arts education in Washington Heights and Inwood to creating the Miranda Family Fellowship Program, which fosters an inclusive entertainment industry and helps launch the careers of diverse talent.

• Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her 25 years of leadership at the non-profit organization. During her tenure, Kathy has guided and championed the city’s business community, and advanced New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation.

This year’s gala was hosted by NBC 4 New York’s Kay Angrum, and included a live auction presented by Harry Santa-Olalla, ‘The Fundraising Guy’, that supplemented proceeds for the Foundation.

For over two decades, the New York City Tourism Foundation Gala has honored distinguished leaders contributing to New York City’s vibrant tourism sector. Past honorees include former Citigroup and Time Warner CEO and Chairman Richard Parsons, Former 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 Dan Doctoroff, Carnival Corporation, Union Square Hospitality Group founder Danny Meyer, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, Delta Air Lines, Hilton Hotels, Melba Wilson of Melba’s, 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 provides grants across the five boroughs through its Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program administered by offices of the City’s five Borough Presidents. Past grant recipient initiatives include the Alice Austen House, BRIC, The Bronx Arts Ensemble, The Center for Jewish History, Queens Film Festival and more.

About New York City Tourism + Conventions:
New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau (CVB) 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.

MEDIA ASSETS:

Gala Photos: HERE
BFA Gala Photos: HERE

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