A Toast to the Industry The Rewards Were Awards at The 20th Anniversary Special Event
By Taylor Rau
George Wendt, Ed McMahon, and Ed Meek
It was a long time in the making, and that only served to make Sunday,
Feb. 27th’s 20th Anniversary Gala event — the pinnacle of profit — all
the more rewarding, exciting and special. It was THE soiree to attend
for those who have served to make the hospitality industry into what it
is today, a progressively thriving marketplace of ideas, creations and
successes.
Under soft hues of red, purple and blue lighting, smiling guests in
their finest evening wear sat at ornately decorated tables as the
energy in the Grand Ballroom at Caesars Palace rose to match the
excitement shared by everyone present. Whether they were there to
accept an award for being stand-outs in their category, or they were
there to congratulate their peers and share their success, guests at
the gala all had an opportunity to applaud the men and women around
them for a job well done.
Heartfelt speeches by hosts including Ken Ruff, VP of national accounts
with Future Brands LLC, Dr. Ed Meek, founder and CEO of Oxford
Publishing Inc., Jon Taffer, chairman of Taffer Dynamics Inc., Stan
Novack, VP of concept development for HMSHost, Peter Cressy, president
of DISCUS, Ed McMahon, George Wendt, Zack Romaya, VP of American
Beverage Licensees, and David K. Rehr, president of the National Beer
Wholesalers Association, also reaffirmed the amazing growth of the
industry and its importance to the livelihood of so many.
After the introductions and speeches, there were Champagne and whiskey
toasts (thanks to everyone who made this possible), and then the award
winners were announced and asked to come forward to accept their award
on stage.
Award winners were recognized for their excellence in the following categories:
* Trendsetter
* Innovator
* Pioneer
* Hospitality
* Icon
* Music/Live Performance
* Sports Bar
* Country Bar
* Dance Club
Once all winners had accepted their plaques and the applause subsided —
after the speeches had concluded — guests raised silverware as well as
their glasses, as a tantalizing dinner began and the celebration
continued.
Oxford Publishing Inc. also wishes to thank the many sponsors of the gala who helped make this event a true night to remember.
We look forward to the next 20 years of superlative service and the
great things to come from the hard work and dilligence of everyone who
made this anniversary event so special. Cheers! NCB
Congratulations
to all of the incredible venues who took home trophies for their
outstanding operations! In honor of their years of superlative service,
the following teams were lauded with plaques and applause for
achievment and excellence:
PIONEER AWARDS
Troubador, unable to attend
Bennigan’s, Clay Dover
Studio 54, Mike Milner, executive director
INNOVATOR AWARDS
TGI Friday’s, Stewart Slocum, director of beverage
Coyote Ugly, Liliana“Lil” Lovell, owner
B.E.D., unable to attend
Bahama Breeze, Alan Palmeri, Exec. VP, operations
P.F. Chang’s, Michael Katzman, marketing partner
ICON AWARDS
Copacabana Club, unable to attend
The Derby, Tony Gower, owner
Hard Rock Cafe, Cindy Busi, beverage manager
HOSPITALITY AWARDS
Starwood, Brian Abel, director, Western F&B
Marriott, Brian Yost
Tini Bigs, Patrick Haight, general manager
SPORTS BAR
Fox Sports Grill, Bill Freeman
COUNTRY BAR
Billy Bob’s Texas, Billy Minick
DANCE CLUB
The Mercury Room, Wyatt Magnum
CROBAR, unable to attend
MUSIC/LIVE PERFORMANCE
Viper Room, unable to attend
Honoring Those Who Have Guided Us
It was a night to be remembered for its extravagance, homage and
respect to all those in the industry who came together to celebrate the
last 20 years of innovation and success, and the special Anniversary
Gala also provided the opportunity for all to raise their glasses and
make a toast to the future.
The first award recipients of the night were Oxford Publishing Inc.’s dedicated board members, listed below:
Founding Board Members
Ray Ford
Mike Grosser
Patrick Henry
John Lingo
Grif Palmer
Roberta Perry
Jon Taffer
Charter Board Members
Ralph Aguera
Dave Courington
Jim Flaherty
Steve Gaspar
Thom Greco
Charlie Greener
Ken Madison
Wyatt Magnum
Ron Newman
Michael O’Harro
Robert Plotkin
Jonathan Ressler
Suzie Riga
Ken Ruff
Bob Sikora
Lance Sousa
Chuck Weisberg
Heartfelt speeches by hosts including Ken Ruff, VP of national accounts
with Future Brands LLC, Dr. Ed Meek, founder and CEO of Oxford
Publishing Inc., Jon Taffer, chairman of Taffer Dynamics Inc., Stan
Novack, VP of concept development for HMSHost, Peter Cressy, president
of DISCUS, Ed McMahon, George Wendt, Zack Romaya, VP of American
Beverage Licensees, and David K. Rehr, president of the National Beer
Wholesalers Association, also reaffirmed the amazing growth of the
industry and its importance to the livelihood of so many.
