MARKETWATCH NYC 2009
On October 1, 2009, Travel + Leisure held its biannual MarketWatch summit in the Cotillion Room at The Pierre in New York City. 120 guests joined a room of high-powered marketers to discuss "No Regrets: Business Leaders On Tactics For A New Economy." The morning included an update on travel trends from Editor-in-Chief Nancy Novogrod, as well as a conversation between Nilou Motamed, Features Editor, and Stephen Hanson, Founder & President of B.R. Guest Restaurants. Jean-Paul Kyrillos, VP/Publisher, moderated a panel of industry experts which included Javier Barrera, Executive VP Marketing & Branding, Chief New Business Officer, Grupo Posadas; Erik Blachford, Chairman & CEO, Butterfield & Robinson; Lisa Sun, Associate Principal, McKinsey & Company; and Marcus Samuelsson, Chef/Owner of Aquavit and Co-founder of Townhouse Restaurant Group.
WORLD’S BEST AWARDS
On July 21, 2009, the 14th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards event took place at the newly opened Cooper Square Hotel in New York City. Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief, and Jean-Paul Kyrillos, Publisher, welcomed the 2009 winners of the top hotels, destinations, cruises, and travel services to a private dinner at Table 8, where Alex Witt of MSNBC fame presented the awards. Later that evening, more than 350 guests joined the festivities, which moved to the Table 8 Henriot Champagne Bar on the ground floor as well as the 3,000-square-foot penthouse suite. Guests sipped Patrón signature cocktails, enjoyed the musical stylings of DJ Kiss, and took in the jaw-dropping panoramic views of New York City.
2009 DESIGN AWARDS PRE-PARTY
Hosted by Celebrity Cruises On February 17, 2009, Celebrity Cruises provided 150 VIP tastemakers with an exclusive preview to this year's T+L Design Award winners and the new Solstice—a ship that epitomizes sophisticated innovation. The Blade Pool at the Fontainebleau was the perfect backdrop as guests enjoyed signature cocktails, a special performance by the Miami Synchronized Swimmers, and chic Miami style.
2009 DESIGN AWARDS
On February 18 Travel + Leisure held its fifth annual Design Awards gala event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Hosted by Jean-Paul Kyrillos, Publisher, and Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief, the evening celebrated the winners of the 2009 Design Awards, which spanned 15 different categories, including Best Restaurant, Best Travel Fashion, and Best Retail Space. Hotelier André Balazs, the guest of honor, was presented with this year’s Design Champion award. More than 300 guests from around the world attended the event, including award winners, members of the awards jury, and influencers in the design and architecture community. Attendees sipped on specialty Prairie Vodka cocktails and enjoyed an interactive Miami “Express Yourself” wall designed to let guests express what they love about the city. Presenters included Fontainebleau Resorts, Miami CVB, and Prairie Vodka.
