Centennial Celebration at 2011 Annual Awards Luncheon

The Broadway Association celebrated 100 years of service to New York at the 2011 Annual Awards Luncheon at the New York Marriott Marquis. Dan Lauria and Judith Light, from the hit Broadway show LOMBARDI, co-hosted this fun-filled Luncheon celebration and Tony-Award winner Christine Ebersole performed.

To mark the Broadway Association's Centennial, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayors Rudolph Giuliani, David Dinkins and Edward Koch were honored for their contributions and dedicated service to New York. In addition, the Durst Organization was honored.  Helena Durst accepted the award on behalf of Sidney Durst, the late chairman of the Broadway Association. 

George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Co, representing Mayor Michael Bloomberg who was with the President during his visit to Ground Zero, proclaimed Thursday, May 5, 2011 as "Broadway Association Day" before the more than 250 celebrants.

And joining in the festivities, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer brought along a proclamation from his office proclaiming May 5, 2011 "Broadway Association Appreciation Day" in the Borough of Manhattan.

Almost 100 years from today, the Broadway Association was formed "for the promotion and protection of the mutual interests of the merchants and business men located along Broadway...." by a group of civic minded men.  Since that beginning, businessmen and women carved out a brand, a personality for Broadway that has attracted theatre entrepreneurs, advertisers, publishers, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that made Broadway famous and unique.  And the Broadway Association has been there to advocate on issues for the betterment of the Broadway community.

As part of being part of the community, the Broadway Association honors a charity that celebrates and gives back to our community as well.  This year the Association recognized two very special organizations: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs and the National September 11th Memorial and Museum. Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/EFA, and Cliff Chanin from the National September 11th Museum and Memorial, accepted the checks on behalf of their respective organizations.

So as we celebrate the Broadway Association on its 100th year, we celebrate Broadway, one of the nation's greatest assets.