In New York Magazine's "Hotel Experience Awards"

NEW YORK, NY (February 2006) - In recognition of his long years of service to the City of New York - and, in particular, to the hospitality industry - Joseph E. Spinnato, Esq., C.A.E., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., has been chosen to receive the first-ever IN New York Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fifth Annual "Hotel Experience Awards" Gala, to be held on February 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

For the past 25 years, Mr. Spinnato has been directly involved in the improvement of life in New York City, and, since leaving his post as Fire Commissioner of New York City and joining the Hotel Association in the mid-80s, has moved the 125-year-old organization into a much more active and visible role in the city.

In 1991, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed Mr. Spinnato to the Board of Governors of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center), and three weeks ago, on January 11, 2006, Governor Pataki named him Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Convention Center Corporation. He also serves on the Boards of Advisors of City Harvest, and The Cardinal's Committee for Charity, on the Boards of Directors of Just One Break, Inc., and Big Apple Greeters, Inc., and on the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in Manhattan.

Mr. Spinnato received the 1989 Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee and, in 1990, received the Cardinal's Award from His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor. In 1992, he was named the Jerusalem Founders Man of the Year by the American Committee for Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, and, in 2001, he received the International Brotherhood Award from Bikor Cholim Hospital, also in Jerusalem. He and his wife Madeline Romano have one daughter and two grandchildren.

In announcing the selection, IN New York Magazine President/Publisher Merrie L. Davis said, "For more than 20 years, Joe has held forth, with charm and confidence, the idea that New York is the best destination on earth, and his work has meant a lot to the resurgence of the city's tourism industry over these past few years. In honoring him, we are simply underscoring, in a visible and public way, the importance of his contributions to the city and the industry we all serve together."

IN New York Magazine is read monthly by 675,000 readers, and is the premier New York City in-room magazine for the upscale traveler. The Hotel Experience Awards were established in 2001 to honor excellence in the New York hospitality industry, as voted on by their guests, and the black-tie awards event attracts over 500 New York hospitality industry leaders.

2005 Hotel Experience Awards sponsors include the New York Marriott Marquis, Gray Line New York Sightseeing, Circle Line Harbor Cruises, Bice Ristorante, Build-a-Bear Workshop, NBA Store, Salute! Restaurant, SuperShuttle New York, Litho Partners, Inc., CitySights NY, Innovative Travel Marketing, Aquavit, Eber Distributors, Fiji Water, Godiva Chocolatier, Graphic Lab, Inc., HAI, J. Lohr, John Barrett Salon, Johnnie Walker, Lestat, Paramount Brands, "Q" Quintessential Gin, Starbright Floral Design, Svedka Vodka, and Voyant Chai Liqueur.

For more information, contact George Thomas Wilson, IN New York Magazine Marketing Director, at 212.716.2788.
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