1. Clinton Global Initiative
In just five years, members of the Clinton Global Initiative have made nearly $57 billion worth of commitments to world relief—$9.4 billion of which came out of the 2009 meeting at the Sheraton New York.
2. Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
It may not always be the media darling that it is during an election year, but the annual dinner hosted by the Archdiocese of New York brings a crowd of more than 1,000 politicians, celebrities, and Roman Catholic socials to the Waldorf-Astoria each October.
3. New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting
An expected 5,000 local lawyers will meet January 25 to January 30, when the powwow moves from the New York Marriott Marquis to the Hilton New York. Event tie-ins will include a career development conference, a reception for minority lawyers, and several networking dinners and cocktail hours.
4. U.N.A.-U.S.A Global Leadership Awards Dinner
On November 23, the United Nations Association marked the 10th anniversary of its Global Classrooms initiative by honoring World Trade Center Memorial Foundation chairman John Whitehead for his career in business and diplomacy. Lesley Stahl hosted the 400-seat event at Cipriani 42nd Street.
5. Hospitality Committee for the U.N. Delegations Ambassador’s Ball
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife, Ban Soon-Taek, received honors at the 2009 diplomatic gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street. It will return May 2010.
6. The Inner Circle Show
Caroline Kennedy came out of hiding to poke fun at Mayor Michael Bloomberg—and her failed bid for Hillary Clinton’s vacated U.S. Senate seat—at the 2009 edition of the Inner Circle of City Hall Journalists roast. The $500 ticket event returns to the grand ballroom at the New York Hilton on March 27.
