NEW YORK CITY TOURISM FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

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

Alan Steel Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership at New York Convention Center Operating Corporation   

Event Raises Funds for Small Arts and Culture Organizations Citywide  

New York City (December 10, 2024) — The New York City Tourism Foundation honored leaders from the City’s tourism, conventions and hospitality industries at its annual Gala at the Plaza Hotel last night. The event, which raised over $710,000, celebrates prominent leaders who have significantly contributed to New York City’s tourism industry and played an integral part in its continued recovery. 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.    This year’s honorees:   

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

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

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

“For 25 years, the New York City Tourism Foundation Gala has celebrated leaders and businesses who have made tourism a cornerstone of the City’s economy, while supporting the City’s vibrant cultural institutions that are essential to our industry,” 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 thank you to everyone who supported our Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program.”    “Our 2024 honorees are pillars of New York City’s tourism industry,” said Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “Their decades of stewardship have created an indelible mark on the five boroughs, enriching both the visitor experience and the cultural landscape of New York City. We are proud to recognize their significant contributions, and we know their commitment to the mission of the New York City Tourism Foundation will continue to inspire for years to come.”  “Congratulations to this year’s honorees for their remarkable vision, partnership and contributions to New York City, helping to make our city one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse destinations in the world,” said Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “Since 1999, our foundation has been committed to supporting diverse arts and culture organizations across the five boroughs, largely thanks to funds raised at the Gala each year. We look forward to continuing this vital work for many years to come.”  

Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA and former President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, has played a pivotal role in shaping New York City’s $74 billion tourism industry during his 20-year tenure. Upon rising to CEO in 2014, Fred was responsible for developing and implementing New York City’s tourism strategy and programming to grow business and leisure travel from across the US and around the world. 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 international outposts comprising sales, marketing and press professionals in diverse 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, he remained a steadfast leader, organizing the Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery. By July 2020, NYC Tourism and the Coalition published “All in NYC: The Roadmap for Tourism’s Reimaging and Recovery,” which was implemented with the support of a $30 million investment from the City of New York for recovery messaging and promotion.  

Melba Wilson, Founder and Owner of Melba’s Restaurants, James Beard nominee and Harlem native, has made a tremendous impact in New York City as one of the most successful African American women in the restaurant and catering industries. Since launching Melba’s Restaurants, her namesake Harlem location has become a New York City landmark, enjoyed by locals and visitors from around the world. Each of Melba’s ventures—in Harlem, Central Park, and Grand Central—has earned widespread recognition, drawing praise for its cuisine and warm atmosphere. Her influence extends well beyond her restaurants: she is dedicated to empowering young minds and supporting senior citizens and survivors of domestic violence. Her leadership encompasses the greater hospitality industry, as she currently serves as President Emeritus of the NYC Hospitality Alliance and is a Vice Chair of the New York City Tourism + Conventions Board of Directors. 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. 

Alan Steel was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his incredible leadership as the CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates at the Javits Center on Manhattan’s west side. Alan’s tenure at the Javits Center includes the historic expansion of the convention center, adding more than one million square feet of state-of-the-art space, including additional exhibition and meeting room space, a rooftop pavilion and a one-acre rooftop farm. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he 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. For over a decade, Alan has led the 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 model of sustainability across the nation, partnering with research institutions and community groups to study and reinforce the building’s positive impact on the local environment. 

Yesterday’s Gala included a live auction presented by Harry Santa-Olalla, ‘The Fundraising Guy’, that provided supplemental proceeds for the Foundation.  

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 (Freshkills 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 (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 
Headshots: HERE