honoring
at Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Monday evening, June 8, 2009
View the Invitation
Each year Philadelphia Hospitality presents the prestigious Vision for Philadelphia Award, in keeping with our work of highlighting the best of Philadelphia. The award showcases a dynamic individual and/or organization whose achievements and energy drive Philadelphia forward toward a more vibrant future.
Last year we were thrilled to honor the Philadelphia Phillies and their President and CEO David Montgomery for making Philadelphia, literally, a city of champions.
The Phillies have given Philadelphia a priceless gift - a belief that our dreams can come true. As anyone who watched the victory parade can attest, their achievements brought us together as a community and made us proud to be Philadelphians.
The Phillies community involvement is as impressive as their record on the field. The ALS Association, PAL, Philadelphia Futures and the Bethesda Project, as well as educational programs including Phillies Phundamentals, Be a Phanatic About Reading and the Free Library of Philadelphia are all beneficiaries of the Phillies' time, generosity and heart.
A life-long Philadelphian, David is as committed to our region's well-being as he is to Phillies fans. He serves on several non-profit boards including Need in Deed, The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and the Philadelphia Sports Congress.
After David received his MBA from Wharton, he began his career in the Phillies Sales Office in 1971, just in time for the opening of Veterans Stadium. In 2004, under his leadership, the Phillies constructed a new state-of-the-art facility - the 43,500 seat, fan-friendly Citizens Bank Park.
We were delighted to recognize the Phillies and David Montgomery for uniting our community with resounding excitement and extraordinary pride.
For information about the 2010 gala or sponsorship of the Vision for Philadelphia Award please contact Marilynn Farber at 215-790-9901 x17 or at farber@philahospitality.org.
Printable Sponsorship Form (PDF)
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Become a Friend of Philadelphia Hospitality at the Associates’ level and enjoy “private access,” Philadelphia Hospitality’s signature experience that our visiting VIP guests long remember.
Every year our upper level donors are delighted by the Associates’ Reception, an opportunity to visit a private home, studio or firm and take pleasure in the camaraderie of others who share their interests. The evening, always entertaining and informative, includes a brief talk by the host about the special venue or its prized collection.
The January 2010 Associates’ party certainly included our traditional private experience – a reception in a splendid private home. But there was even more. Virginia and Harvey Kimmel opened their striking home on Rittenhouse Square – and Nancy Heinzen, recounted stories, anecdotes and solid history about the square, so fascinating to generations of Philadelphians. Nancy, author of The Perfect Square, A History of Rittenhouse Square, inscribed books that guests purchased throughout the evening, and even those they brought along. Virginia and Harvey congenially spoke about their respected eclectic art collection and answered the many questions posed. Associates reminisced with Nancy about the square, admired the Kimmel’s impressive vessel collection as well as their 20th century paintings and sculptures and enjoyed the New Zealand sauvignon blanc, provided by Philadelphia Hospitality’s generous partner, Constellation Wines US.
The memorable evening was made possible through the sponsorship of Citibank.
Citibank’s Don Haskin was the winner of a copy of The Perfect Square and in a gesture reflecting graciousness equal to his generosity, asked that the drawing be repeated and another winner be selected. Guests’ murmurs became one voice insisting that the book be given to the Kimmel’s in appreciation of the wonderful evening in their beautiful home.
Click here to view the Photo Gallery.
To become an Associate, please print and fill out the application form.
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Become a Friend of Philadelphia Hospitality at the Patron level and enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience and reception at a noted Philadelphia landmark. Each year we highlight a different location in Philadelphia, where our Patrons enjoy an out-of-the-ordinary experience similar to those we provide for our visitors.
The 2009 Patrons’ Event was held at Temple University’s stunning new Alter Hall designed by world renowned architect Michael Graves. We were delighted to have the opportunity to introduce our Friends to this new state-of-the-art facility as well as the Alter Hall Art Collection. And we were thrilled that Temple’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) generously hosted the evening.
Our programs for out-of-town visitors provide a special welcome by the distinguished leaders who head the venues we visit and so too did this evening for our Friends. M. Moshe Porat, Ph.D., Dean Fox School of Business and School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, addressed guests and answered their many questions.
Philadelphia Hospitality board member and STHM Associate Dean Elizabeth Barber, PhD., responsible for the thriving partnership between STHM students and Philadelphia Hospitality, was on hand to greet guests and make certain that everything ran as smoothly as one would expect from a school teaching hospitality. Many long-time Philadelphians, after raving about STHM’s new home, its extraordinary art collection, and the excellent refreshments told Betsy how surprised they were by Temple’s lovely campus and how pleased they were to see the transformation of North Broad Street. Their comments substantiated Betsy’s oft heard phrase that “if you haven’t seen Temple lately, you haven’t seen it at all.”
Some guests, dazzled by the spectacular Alter Hall Art Collection, couldn’t decide if it was the art itself or the enthusiastic and accessible comments of its curator Bridgett Mayer of the Bridgette Mayer Gallery that made the evening sparkle. Those who loved the art works in dispaly throughout office, classrooms and corridors also noted the extra bonus of speaking with Jane Golden, Artistic Director of the Mural Arts Program (MAP), and her staff about the MAP mural that Alter Hall boasts. Many guests believed that it was the state-of-the-art technology demonstration in the classroom of tomorrow that made the reception impressive. And yet others claimed it was the mushroom brioche, the brie and cranberries, and the ginger salmon offered by STHM’s outstanding caterer and the flowing Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay provided by VineOne, that made them take note. No matter what guests declared to be the very best part of the reception, all agreed that the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management does know how to throw a party!
Click here to view the Photo Gallery.
To become a Patron, please print and fill out the application form.
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Suzanne and Frank Binswanger, on their way to celebrate their own anniversary, pause outside the Library Company's 275th Anniversary Exhibition.
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Library Company Executive Director John Van Horne (right) greets Friends of Philadelphia Hospitality, Betsy and Tom Daly.
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Philadelphia Hospitality jump-started its 25th anniversary year in October 2006 by joining forces with the Library Company of Philadelphia, the country's first lending library and the oldest cultural organization in the nation, which was marking its own anniversary .of 275 years. Friends of Philadelphia Hospitality examined a select set of treasures rich in images of the Philadelphia region that were pulled from the book-stacks especially for the evening. The Library Company's Executive Director, John Van Horne, greeted guests and shared informal anecdotes about the history of his institution. Judging from the audible buzz following Dr. Van Horne's comments, the evening was a hit.
The Library Company's Reading Room, usually reserved for research fellows and other serious students of early American culture, was the site of a Happy Anniversary sing-a-long, led by Philadelphia Hospitality volunteer, Paul Welde, who debuted his original rendition of the song. On hand to make this a memorable evening were good friends Pol Duffy, who presented not one anniversary cake but two, -in addition to mouth watering and exquisitely presented hors d'oeuvres - and Robertson's Flowers' Barney DeFusco, whose magnificent arrangement underscored the special occasion.
After the program guests enjoyed the 275th Anniversary Exhibition, Benjamin Franklin, Writer and Printer. Franklin founded this venerable institution, still vital and compelling after almost 300 years.
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