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Global Traveler Hosts Gala Reception for Reader Survey Award Winners

Vince Papale, guest of honor, awards top in travel

Yardley, PA (PRWEB) January 22, 2011

Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine for business and luxury travelers, hosted its seventh annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards reception on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City.

More than 200 guests gathered to congratulate the respected winners on their achievements. Guest speaker Vince Papale, former NFL player and the inspiration for the blockbuster movie Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg, appeared on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Papale inspired the crowd to action with a speech on his personal journey to overcome cancer and the importance of finding a cure.

Papale urged attendees to donate travel-related prizes to Global Traveler's charity auction, benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The auction kicks off March 1. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. To learn more, visit .

"Vince Papale's story of overcoming the odds resonates with everyone and we were honored to welcome him to our event," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. "A big thank-you to Andaz 5th Avenue for helping us host such a successful event. The turnout was superb, with executives worldwide attending. Congratulations once again to the winners: What an honor to have you join us."

Award winners traveled from around the world to accept accolades on behalf of their companies. In attendance:

Rohan Alce, vice president, Etihad AirwaysBest Airline in the Middle East

Jose Alvarado, general manager, Iberia AirlinesBest Red Wine

Trip Barrett, senior vice president, Starwood Hotels & ResortsBest Hotel Chain in Latin America

Don Berg, vice president loyalty programs, InterContinental Hotels GroupBest Hotel Rewards Program

Michael Blunt, vice president, corporate affairs, oneworldBest Airline Alliance, Best Alliance Wines on the Wing

Jim Carter, vice president, American AirlinesBest Airline for Domestic First Class

Rolando Damas, general manager, North America and Asia, AviancaBest Airline in Central/South America

Sinead El Sibai, manager of events, advertising and media coordination, Dubai Duty FreeBest Duty Free

David Erich, commercial and marketing director, OpenSkiesBest All-Business-Class Airline

Jeff Foland, president, United Mileage PlusBest Frequent-Flyer Program

Satoru Fujiki, senior vice president, All Nippon AirwaysBest Airline to Japan

Offer Gat, general manager, EL AL Israel AirlinesBest Airline for Security

Young Geun Lee, vice president, Incheon International AirportBest Airport in the World

Jorge Goytortua, vice president sales, North America, AeromexicoBest Airline in Mexico

Andy Grodecki, vice president, Virgin Atlantic AirwaysBest Airline for Premium-Economy Class

Dorota Haller, marketing director, LOT Polish AirlinesBest Airline in Eastern Europe

T.K. Han, executive vice president, airport and cabin services, Asiana Airlines Best Airline in North Asia, Best Trans-Pacific Airline, Best Flight Attendants & Onboard Service

Tony Hughes, senior vice president, the Americas, Qatar AirwaysBest White Wine

Adrian Ingles, country manager, Philippine AirlinesBest Airline in Southeast Asia

Sara Kearney, senior vice president brands, Hyatt Best International Hotel Chain, Best Hotel Club Floor, Best Lifestyle Hotel

Shannon Knapp, vice president, American Express Membership RewardsBest Credit Card Rewards Program

Richard Krulik, chief executive officer, Briggs & RileyBest Luggage Brand

Craig Landry, vice president, marketing, Air CanadaBest Airline in North America

Nicola Lange, director of marketing and customer relations, LufthansaBest Trans-Atlantic Airline

Alan Lim, vice president, Singapore AirlinesBest Airline in the World

Alice Liu, managing director, onboard services, American AirlinesBest North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Red Wine, Best North American Sparkling Wine

Won Ma, vice president, Korean AirBest Business-Class Seat Design, Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents

Chandra Mahtani, head of airside planning and leasing, Singapore Changi AirportBest Airport Dining

Lisa Markovic, vice president, Jet AirwaysBest Airline in Central/South Asia and India, Best Sparkling Wine

Todd Neumann, vice president, South African AirwaysBest Airline in Africa

Dave Pflieger, chief executive officer, Air PacificBest Airline in the South Pacific

Ranga Rajan, director, India TourismBest International Tourism Destination

Annette Reantragoon, director of passenger sales, Swiss International Air LinesBest First-Class Seat Design

Kathleen Shea, vice president, sales and marketing, the Americas, Taj Hotels & ResortsBest Hotel in the United States -- Taj Campton Place, San Francisco, Calif.

Simon Talling-Smith, executive vice president Americas, British AirwaysBest Airline for Business Class

Cathie Sych, vice president, QantasBest Airline in Australia and New Zealand

Antonio Temporini, senior vice president, AlitaliaBest Airline Cuisine

Skip Thompson, director of airline marketing, Boeing Best Aircraft Type

Srisuda Wanapinyosak, director, Tourism Authority of ThailandBest International Business City

Brian Windle, vice president, sales and marketing, Shangri-La Hotels & ResortsBest Hotel Chain in Asia

For more information on Global Traveler, visit . Read more about the awards reception in the March 2011 issue, available March 1.

About Global Traveler Global Traveler is a business travel and lifestyle publication and the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. No other monthly magazine in its category boasts a higher audited circulation or page count. Ninety percent of its readership has average household income in excess of $100,000; 96 percent attended or graduated from college; and 98 percent of its readers are either top management or professionals.

About FXExpress Publications FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held companypublishing Global Traveler magazine; eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at ; and eFlyer Asia, . The company also operates ,and blog.globaltravelerusa.com. The company produces several annuals, including the Class Act Book, Global City Guidebook, Luxury Book, Globility book series and custom publishing for various entities.

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Kimberly KrolGlobal Traveler267 364 5811 ext. 202Email Information