New York City Tourism + Conventions

We are excited to welcome Julie Coker as the new President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions! Julie officially stepped into her role on December 9, kicking things off at our annual New York City Tourism Foundation Gala. With her extensive expertise and proven track record of driving innovation and growth, Julie is the perfect leader to guide and inspire New York City's tourism and hospitality industry. We’re thrilled for this new chapter and can’t wait to see the incredible things we’ll achieve together under Julie’s leadership! 🌟 #WelcomeJulie #NYCTourism #Leadership #NYC Photo credit 📸: Matt Papa

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The New York City Tourism Foundation honored leaders from the City’s tourism, hospitality and conventions industries at The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel on Monday night. The Gala, which also celebrated the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, recognized prominent leaders who have significantly contributed to New York City’s tourism industry and played an integral part in its continued recovery. This year’s honorees included: Fred Dixon, CEO of Brand USA and Former President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, and Melba Wilson, owner of Melba's Restaurants. Alan Steel, CEO of New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The New York City Tourism Foundation is NYC Tourism's 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that helps sustain New York City’s nonprofit arts community through cultural tourism development, audience education and outreach projects across all five boroughs. Our thanks to everyone who supported this year's event. Great Performances The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Intersection Co. The Shubert Organization Marriott Hotels Harry Santa-Olalla, The Fundraising Guy KEVIN FRAZIER, host of Entertainment Tonight and Founder of Sepi Travel David Burke Tavern United Airlines Delta Air Lines Photo credit: Matt Papa and Madison Voelkel/BFA #NYCTourismGala

Since 1999, the NYC Tourism Foundation has proudly distributed over $4 million in grants to 300 organizations across all five boroughs—uplifting NYC’s vibrant arts, culture, and history. From the Queensboro Dance Festival to the Bronx's Garifuna Experience, these grants empower the diverse cultural voices that make our city unlike any other. In 2024, thanks to incredible supporters, nearly 60 organizations received vital funding—helping NYC’s cultural heartbeat thrive during a time of continued need. Funds raised at tonight's Gala will sustain initiatives like the Borough Grants program, ensuring NYC remains a beacon of creativity, excellence, and innovation for generations to come. For more information on the New York City Tourism Foundation, please visit https://lnkd.in/eWrVEPKA. Pictured here are some of the organizations that have benefitted from the Borough Grants Program: The Brooklyn Nutcracker. Photo: Kyle Froman Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island. Photo: Gabby Jones The Garífuna Experience in NYC, The Bronx Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in Queens. Courtesy, Queensboro Dance Festival. Photo: Josef Pinlac Repertorio Español in Manhattan. Photo: Emmanuel Abreu

As we begin to reflect on a year of great success and change, we want to extend our immense gratitude to New York City Tourism + Conventions CMO Nancy Mammana for serving as our Interim CEO over the past six months. Nancy paved the way for a seamless transition with her steadfast leadership, dedication, and vision to both our organization and our industry. Thank you for keeping us aligned on our goals and driving progress every step of the way. Here’s to your continued success as CMO, Nancy. We look forward to the next chapter with you.

We are proud to honor Alan Steel, CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s NYC Tourism Foundation Gala.    Affectionately known as the Cheerleader-in-Chief, Alan Steel’s tenure at the Javits Center includes the historic expansion of the conventions center, adding more than 1 million square feet of state-of-the-art space, including more exhibition and meeting room space, a rooftop pavilion, and a one-acre rooftop farm. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Alan played a pivotal role in New York’s response and recovery, overseeing the design, construction and operation of the nation’s largest field hospital and vaccination center.    Since 2012, Alan has led the comprehensive renovation and operational overhaul at the Javits Center including significant investments in energy efficiency, security, and technology. As a result, the convention center has emerged as a nationwide model of sustainability, partnering with research institutions and community groups to study and reinforce the building’s positive impact on the local environment.    With over three decades of experience as an event management executive, Alan has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, including recognition from the International Association of Exhibitors and Events (IAEE), New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Sing for Hope and New Yorkers for Parks. An avid environmentalist, Mr. Steel currently serves on the Executive Committee for NYC Tourism + Conventions, as well as on the Advisory Council for NYC Bird Alliance, Board of Directors New Yorkers for Parks and the Board of Trustees for The Climate Museum.    Alan is a revered leader across the conventions industry, and we are proud to honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Foundation Gala.     To purchase tickets to attend this year’s gala and support the New York City Tourism Foundation, visit https://lnkd.in/eHFxch9b

We are proud to recognize @Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA, for his achievements as NYC Tourism’s former President & CEO, at this year’s NYC Tourism Foundation Gala.    During his nearly 20-year tenure at New York City Tourism + Conventions, Fred held the responsibility of developing and implementing New York City’s tourism, meetings and events strategy and programming to grow business and leisure travel from across the US and from around the world including build a sales and marketing team helping to increase visitation and economic impact across the City. By 2019, New York City welcomed a record 66.6 million visitors, generated $72 billion in economic impact and powered more than 400,000 jobs across the five boroughs.     Additionally, Fred built a global network of 17 global outposts comprising sales, marketing and press professionals in diverse feeder markets from Australia to the UK, China to Mexico, and India to Brazil, more than doubling international visitation to 13.5 million by the end of 2019.    During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fred remained a steadfast leader, organizing the Coalition of NYC Hospitality and Tourism Recovery which brought industry leaders together from across the industry and all five boroughs to begin planning a bath pack. By July 2020, NYC Tourism and the Coalition published “All In NYC: The Roadmap for Tourism’s Reimagining and Recovery” which was implemented with the support of a $30 million investment from the City of New York for recovery messaging and promotion.     Fred is a respected leader across the travel industry, and we are proud to honor him and his achievements that have tremendously impacted the City of New York at this year’s Foundation Gala. To purchase tickets to attend this year’s gala and support the New York City Tourism Foundation, visit https://lnkd.in/eHFxch9b. 

We are proud to honor Melba Wilson of Melba's Restaurants for her achievements in New York City’s culinary industry at this year’s NYC Tourism Foundation Gala.    The James Beard nominee and Harlem native has made a tremendous impact in New York as one of the most successful African-American women in the restaurant and catering industries. Since launching Melba's Restaurant nearly 20 years ago, the Harlem restaurant has become a beloved New York landmark, frequented by a diverse array of patrons, including music, TV, and movie stars like Zendaya, Katy Perry, Prince Harry, Tom Holland, Michael Strahan, A$AP Rocky, Sherri Shepherd, D-Nice, Kendrick Lamar, and more, as well as locals and travelers from around the world.     Melba’s journey towards success began early, with an introduction to the restaurant business at Harlem’s iconic Sylvia’s Restaurant, paving the way for her innovative ideas, such as the popular Sunday Gospel Brunch, garnering widespread acclaim throughout the industry.     Collaborating with renowned figures such as former Executive Chef Michael Lomanco and partnerships with esteemed restaurateurs Drew Nieporent and Robert DeNiro has solidified Melba’s position as a trailblazer in the culinary world.    As a dedicated mother, author, philanthropist, community advocate, as well as the sole owner and investor in each of ventures, Melba continues to be a beacon of excellence and empowerment within her community. With a legacy of 20 years in business and over 11 million meals served, Melba’s commitment to culinary excellence and community engagement shines brightly. To purchase tickets to attend this year’s gala and support the New York City Tourism Foundation, visit https://lnkd.in/eHFxch9b.

We’re proud to have Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad on our board and happy to see that her advocacy for accessible travel transcends borders. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we take heart in seeing Lakshmee share her knowledge with our friends and counterparts at VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau.

“The avenue will close to cars and open to pedestrians from 48th Street to 55th Street on December 8 starting at 12pm and running through to 6pm.”