New York, NY, October 14, 2003 — BiZBash announces this year’s Hall of Fame Inductees, honoring legends in the events industry.

David Adler, Founder and CEO of BiZBash, says, “The event industry is currently booming, so we created the BiZBash Hall of Fame to give recognition to some of the key players who have been making major contributions.”

This year’s recipients include the Village People, Patrick McMullan, Abigail Kirsch Family, New York Marriott Marquis Executive Director Joseph Cozza, New York Cruise Lines Chairman Karl G. Andren and JPMorgan Treasury Services VP of Event Marketing Kathleen Moore. The ceremony will take place at the third annual BizBash Meeting and Event Expo on Tuesday, October 15, 6:00 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Javits Convention Center (34th and 11th Avenue).

The ceremony kicks off with a champagne cocktail reception at 5:45 p.m., with special performances by the Broadway Divas (6 p.m.) and this year’s Hall of Fame recipient, the Village People, immediately following at 6:15 p.m.

BiZBash Hall of Fame Inductees Include:

The Village People
Part clever concept, part exaggerated camp act, the Village People were worldwide sensations during disco's heyday. For 26 years, the group has paired its energetic choreography with lively lyrics at performances, and continues to entertain guests at special events, music festivals and fairs. The group’s recent highlights include performing at a private New Year’s party for Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne in 2002 and appearing at the NBA All-Star game in January. The group embarked on a five-week tour of Australia and New Zealand this year, and continues to perform at events nationwide.

Patrick McMullan, CEO/Chairman of Patrick McMullan Company
Patrick McMullan, a renowned fashion photographer and photojournalist, is a staple of New York’s party scene. At the urging of Andy Warhol, McMullan began carrying a camera with him everywhere he went, and in the early 1980s began taking party photos for Details magazine. Since then, his work has regularly appeared in New York, Vanity Fair, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Interivew. McMullan recently published the book so80s, a photographic diary of the decade and a retrospective of his most celebrated black and white images. He has published two other fashion photography books, Secrets of the Riviera and Men’s Show. McMullan is a native New Yorker, and attended New York University where he majored in business.

Abigail Kirsch Family, founders and owners, Abigail Kirsch Culinary Productions
Abigail Kirsch Culinary Productions is one of the city’s preeminent catering companies with more than 30 years of experience. After teaching cooking lessons from her home kitchen, Abigail Kirsch founded the family’s first storefront in 1972, and the business quickly evolved into a private catering company. Abigail’s husband Robert Kirsch joined her in the business in 1975, bringing comprehensive event management to clients, and expanded the business model to include exclusive venues with the opening of Tappan Hill in 1990. Abigail’s son Jim started working for the family business during high school, and following experience outside the business, returned full-time in 1988 as director of sales. Jim became President and CEO in 1994, and has overseen the expansion to numerous exclusive venues and the recent launch of the Abigail K luxury yacht. Alison Awerbuch joined the business in 1984 and became a partner in 1990. As Chief Culinary Officer she directs food and beverage operations for on- and off-site events. The company recently established a Manhattan sales and marketing office.

Joseph Cozza, executive director, New York Marriott Marquis
Joseph Cozza has acted as executive director of the New York Marriott Marquis since its pre-opening in 1984. During his tenure there, Cozza was awarded the Marriott Corporation’s Director of Catering of the Year award for all Marriott Hotels and Resorts worldwide in 1989, and led the hotel in winning five Gold Platter Awards, an award given by meeting planners to catering departments that have demonstrated creative and culinary excellence. Prior to joining the Marriott, Cozza worked at the Sheraton Fairmont and Hyatt hotel chains, and opened five hotels, including the Philadelphia Fairmont and Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. Cozza graduated with a specialty in hotel restaurant management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1974. He is a member of the Food and Beverage Managers of America, National Association of Catering Executives and American Institute of Food and Wine.

Karl G. Andren, chairman, New York Cruise Lines
Karl Andren is the chairman of New York Cruise Lines, Inc., parent company of Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts, Inc., World Yacht, Inc., and Seaport Liberty Cruises. Andren’s start in the cruise line business began in 1982 when he organized Windstar Sail Cruises Limited, a company that designed the largest computerized sailing vessels available at that time. Andren holds a bachelor’s degree from Upsala College and a master’s in economics degree from Pennsylvania State University. He is the treasurer, director and a member of the executive committee of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is actively involved in various tourism organizations in New York. He is a member of the New York Yacht Club, Indian Harbor Yacht Club and Stanwich Club.

Kathleen Moore, vice president event marketing, JPMorgan Treasury Services
Kathleen Moore’s first stint in event planning was a chance opportunity in 1990 when she was asked to manage the former Chase’s presence at a trade show in Berlin. She went on to embrace the job as a career, and today, Moore manages event marketing for JPMorgan Treasury Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase Bank. Moore executes all of the company’s events, from round tables to trade show exhibits, in the Western Hemisphere. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre and acting from Northwestern University, and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University.