At the recent Annual Big Apple Awards Gala, the New York Metro Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) celebrated its 20th anniversary by honoring 20 individuals and/or companies who/that have significantly contributed to the advancement of New York City’s event and hospitality industry.

The wonderful persons/company list included:
Agenda/Red7Media
Alpine Creative Group
Preston Bailey (Designer)
Lisa Barnett (New York Post)
Jaclyn Bernstein, DMCP, Robert W. Hulsmeyer, CSEP, CMP, DMCP (Empire Force Events)
Tom A Bernstein, David A. Tewksbury, and Roland W. Betts (Chelsea Piers)
BizBash Media
Michael Cerbelli (Total Entertainment)
Joe Cozza (Cipriani)
Michael Desiderio (Tavern on the Green)
Dianne Devitt, CMP (DND Group)
Joe Jeff Goldblatt, CSEP (Professor and Author)
Jim Kirsch (Abigail Kirsch)
Elyse Kroll (ENK International)
Jean McFadden (Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Director)
Liz Neumark (Great Performances)
Paul Nicaj (Battery Gardens)
Party Rental Ltd.
Scharff Weisberg
David Tutera (Designer)

Special guest presentations were made by: WNBC-TV sports anchor Bruce Beck; director of promotions for The New York Post, Lisa Barnett; president of BizBash, Richard Aaron, CMP, CSEP; and contributing expert stylist on ABC’s The View and TBS’ Movie and a Makeover, David Tutera.

The evening also featured a commendation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg marking the ISES New York Metro Chapter’s two decades of achievement for its tremendous support to special event professionals throughout the five boroughs, and as a global leader in the special events industry.

The event was held at Cipriani, 55 Wall Street.