Protravel International reports that the luxury travel agency’s sponsorship of the 2017 Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Coca-Cola (NYCWFF) was a success, raising funds for two of the nation’s leading hunger-relief organizations. Protravel’s sponsorship included assembling six travel packages with its supplier partners, which were auctioned at six select dinners with world-renowned chefs. The dinner guests bid generously, with the proceeds of $21,900 benefitting the Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry.
Protravel also hosted a table at the festival’s signature Grand Tasting at Pier 94. There, Protravel also offered a photo contest to local gourmets who came to celebrate the NYCWFF’s 10th anniversary from October 13-15.
“Auctioning our unique travel packages for the NYCWFF’s charitable cause was an important part of our sponsorship and was personally dear to all of us at Protravel International,” said Gail Grimmett, president of Protravel International. “With our sponsorship, we wanted to contribute to ending hunger, while also bringing the joy of travel to the festival’s dinner guests and Grand Tasting visitors alike.”
Protravel’s executive team members attended six select dinners where at five its travel prizes were auctioned to benefit the Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry: Michele Capaccio, Protravel’s senior vice president of operations, attended the dinner prepared by chefs Gabrielle Hamilton and Nancy Silverton on Thursday, October 12. During the evening, a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Punta Mita on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit was auctioned.
On Thursday, October 12, Jason Oshiokpekhai, Protravel’s director of sales and business development, had the opportunity to enjoy a meal prepared by actress Debi Mazar, and chefs Gabriele Corcos and Beatrice Tosti at the Tavern on the Green. Protravel’s auction prize at this venue was an all-inclusive seven-night stay at the Chilko Experience Exclusive Wilderness Resort in British Columbia for two.
Asmita Singh, Protravel’s vice president of marketing, attended the dinner with chefs Gastón Acurio and Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura on Friday, October 13. Protravel auctioned a three-night stay at the Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos.
The dinner with chefs Marc Forgione and Jorge Espinoza was hosted at Scarpetta on Friday, October 13. Before dessert, Jeffrey Sirota, Protravel’s senior director of industry partnerships and leisure operations, presented a seven-night AmaWaterways wine-themed luxury river cruise to the auction winner.
At the dinner with chef Michael White and the chef from Le Sirenuse Antonio Mermolia, on Saturday, October 14, Laura D’Angelo, Protravel’s vice president of sales operations and agent support, represented Protravel International as an anniversary sponsor.
During the dinner with Paul Kahan and Marc Vetri at 21 Club, on Saturday, October 14, Marni Becker, Protravel’s senior director of cruise sales, presented to two auction winners a three-night stay at the Chablé Wellness Resort & Destination Spa in Yucatan, Mexico, and a one-week stay for two at the Borgo Gaggioletto in eastern Tuscany, Italy, respectively.
During the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite at Pier 94, Protravel had a team of its travel professionals showcase its luxury leisure and corporate travel services to attendees from October 13-15. During that time, all festival guests could participate in Protravel’s photo contest for a chance to win one of three additional travel prizes, including a GoPro HERO Session 8.0 MP action camera.
Together with its supplier partners, Protravel assembled two special trips for the photo contest winners, who entered by posting their favorite festival dish via social media:
- A two-night weekend stay at the Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York, in a deluxe king room, plus one complimentary dinner for two at the Lambs Club.
- A two-night stay for two at the Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, New York, in a deluxe king room, plus complimentary dinner for two at the Carlyle Restaurant.
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