The city and nation’s top-tier hoteliers, real estate and development professionals were honored at a gala event in Flushing on Wednesday night.
The America China Hotel Association Corp. held its Premiere Annual Gala at Terrace at the Park on Nov. 8. Hosted and organized in partnership with Schneps Communications Events, the grand event connected hundreds of attendees for a night of networking, dinner and awards.
The night’s Founders Awards recipients were John Lam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lam Group; Peter Wong, President, KSSNY Inc.; William Su, owner, Wyndham Garden Chinatown; and Derek Law, owner, Hotel Richland, CL Insurance Agency, Inc.; and Ci Ci Medical Spa.
The Outstanding Hotel Award was bestowed to Sam Chang, Founder/Owner, McSam Hotel Group LLC; Ben Seidel, President/CEO, Real Hospitality Group; Gene Kaufman, Principal, Gene Kaufman Architects, PC; Timothy K.T. Chan, Senior VP & Manager, Shanghai Commercial Bank; Bentley Zhao, President, New Empire Corp.; and Hung Luk, Chief Operating Officer, Lam Group.
Terry Tang, CEO, BCGA Concept Corp.; Neil Locke, Owner, Neil Locke & Associates; and Deborah Herman, President, Fabric Innovations received the Special Hotel Vendors Award.
Some of the honorees spoke about the significance of being recognized at the event.
“I’m honored,” said Peter Wong, president of KSSNY Inc. “I think we can expand the name of the Association here, and try to get more members. And we wanted to get everyone together to celebrate.”
“I think it’s super great that the American China Association has made a point of being involved in their vendor pool,” said Deborah Herman, President, Fabric Innovations. “It’s super important in our industry that we become partners with people that not only own hotels, but brands that support the vendor industry.”
“We’re thrilled to be honored,” said Neil Locke, owner of Neil Locke & Associates. “It’s fantastic to be associated with this organization and all of the people here. We hope to continue to make new friends and continue developing the relationships we already have.”
Throughout the night, attendees had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win a number of prizes. All proceeds will be donated to Queens Theatre and the CPC Open Door Senior Center.
Event sponsors included Akerman LLP, HK BCGA Concept Corp., Beauty Beauty Int’l School, Broadtrade Group, Cathay Bank, Citibank, China Lesso Group Holdings Limited, CL Insurance Agency Inc., East West Bank, Fabric Innovations, Division Builders Inc.; Federal Standard Abstract, Inc.; FLYP Sportwear Inc; Flushing Bank; Gene Kaufman Architect, P.C.; Global Bank; Glorious Sun Group; Kssny Inc; Lam Group; Leon Hotel; McSam Hotel Group LLC; Neil Locke & Associates; New Empire Corp.; Real Hospitality Group; Shanghai Commercial Bank; Solco Plumbing Supply Inc.; United Orient Bank; Wells Fargo Bank; and the Wyndham Hotel.