Fred Tibbitts & Associates, Inc.

Media Contact: Lori LaDu

+1 (518) 426-0262

November 16, 2006

FTA Fifteenth Annual

“An Autumn Evening in New York with Very Special Friends”

New York, NY – In typical "who’s who," New York City tradition, the Fifteenth Annual Fred Tibbitts & Associates “An Autumn Evening in New York with Very Special Friends” at the magnificent Grand Hyatt New York on 14 November wowed the 250 fortunate few admitted to the FTA spectacular presentation of Excellence Awards dinner.

The guests (Including the following: Owners, c.e.o.’s and operational directors of world-renowned hotel and restaurant chains; industry press; and FTA wine, beer, spirits and industry partners) were boldly announced in style by an English gentleman in proper morning suit with silk top hat.

The guests were summoned to dinner at the Grand Hyatt New York and warmly welcomed by Fred Tibbitts, Jr., President & CEO. The evening’s festivities commenced with a stirring violin and piano recital, featuring one of the world’s most renowned classical violinists, Siqing Lu and Weicong Zhang, an accomplished pianist of the People’s Republic of China. The performers were introduced by Prairie Prince, drummer extraordinaire of Jefferson Starship, The Tubes, Todd Rodgrun and The New Cars fame.

Then Master of Ceremonies John Mauk Hilliard mounted the podium and called for Ecumenical prayers by Reformed, Jewish and Buddhist priests, followed by 19 Loyalty Toasts given by distinguished Consul Generals, Trade Commissioners, Society Presidents and dignitaries in attendance.

Fred next presented Ganden Thurman, Executive Director of Tibet House U.S. and the Ven. Ngawang Rinchen, Ordained Sakya Monk with a donation to benefit the work of Lama Pema Wangduk, the Vikramasila Foundation, which cares for refugee Tibetan youth in India.

Fred introduced Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP, President of PreventionPower, one of the country’s leading medical authorities on nutrition to discuss his “Heart Healthy Restaurant Program”, which has the potential of changing the eating habits of millions of Americans as his fame and message crosses the country via talk shows and press coverage of his remarkable insights on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, which could as well decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by 70%.

Fred then asked the guests to contemplate an even higher purpose of everyone coming together as one. He encouraged everyone to live their lives with an open heart without qualification: To honor and respect all others. He suggested that service is the highest calling, to serve the least of humanity with compassion and reverence. He asked the guests to act based on what is the right thing to do, not what would appear to be to their most immediate advantage. He asked all to practice relieving the suffering of all others by wishing that they could suffer for all others. He concluded by asking that everyone not fill their day chasing after all they can take, but instead to focus on receiving what is given.

Then it was on to the 2006 FTA Hospitality Award presentations: Nick Hadgis, President, International CHRIE and Dean, School of Hospitality Management, Widner University presented the 2006 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence in Writing on Food & Beverage to Hotel F & B Executive, accepted by Margaret Rose Caro, Editor-in-Chief. Jason Frank, Sales Manager, Park Avenue New York, HSBC then presented an FTA-HSBC bank draft to Vince Seale, Senior Vice President of Advancement, Johnson & Wales University to fund a scholarship for $5,000.00 in the name of Hotel F & B Executive, which he then presented to Jeanne Bischoff, Vice President & Publisher of Hotel F & B Executive.

Leo Minervini, Marketing Manager, Channel Enablement, IBM Retail Store Solutions next presented the 2006 FTA Hospitality Award as an IT Innovator to David Teller, CEO of Beverage Metrics. Jason Frank of HSBC then presented an FTA-HSBC bank draft to Vance Peterson, Vice President of Advancement, The Culinary Institute of America to fund a scholarship for $5,000.00 in the name of David Teller, which he then presented to Teller.

For the 2006 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator, the ceremony commenced by personal comments about the recipient, Roger Taylor, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Columbia Sussex Corporation by two of his best friends, Ross Kellman, Vice President, Strategic Markets, Avendra and Henry Michaud, Assistant Vice President of Food & Beverage, Columbia Sussex Corporation. Joe McInerney, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association then presented the Award to Taylor. Vince Seale then presented a scholarship for $5,000.00 in his name at Johnson & Wales University to Taylor. Taylor announced that Columbia Sussex Corporation would continue the scholarship for at least an additional five years in the annual amount of $7,500.00 to benefit an employee of Columbia Sussex Corporation and if none could take advantage in any given year, it would go to the advantage of a worthy student selected by Johnson & Wales University.

The final award presentation of the 2006 FTA Hospitality Award for Lifetime Excellence to Dick Cattani, President, Restaurant Associates began with fond memories of Dick by Max Pine, Past CEO of Restaurant Associates. Michael Kaufman, Treasurer of the National Restaurant Association then presented the Award to Cattani. Jason Frank of HSBC then presented an FTA-HSBC bank draft to Timothy Barnekov, Dean of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy at the University of Delaware to fund a scholarship for $5,000.00 in Cattani’s name, which he and Fred DeMicco, Professor & ARAMARK Chair, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at the University of Delaware then presented to Cattani.

Harriet Lembeck, renowned New York City wine educator then explained in great detail to the joy of all assembled how she arrived at the wine and food pairings for the evening. Fred recognized Harriet with a recognition gift for fifteen year’s service of wine & food pairing at the FTA New York City Dinners: Drinks, dinner and a cooking demonstration for Harriet and Bill Lembeck at The French Culinary Institute in New York City with world-famous chef Andre Soltner.

Fred concluded the dinner by thanking one and all for attending and he invited everyone to the 2007 FTA NYC Spring Dinner at the Union League Club on Thursday 15 March, at which time the 2007 FTA Hospitality Awards and scholarships will be announced.

Fred Tibbitts & Associates, led by Fred Tibbitts, Jr., President & CEO and Founder, is the premier, global on premise resource for National Account beverage and edge concepts, serving some of the world’s leading hotel and restaurant groups as well as brand owners.

The Company is based in New York.