Returning to its prerecession format of a seated dinner and presentation immediately followed by a late-night after-party, Travel & Leisure honored its World’s Best Awards winners on July 18 at Center548 in New York's Chelsea neighborhood.
In 2003, the travel magazine switched the format of the annual event from a formal sit-down dinner combined with an award ceremony and party to two separate events, with the awards handed out at a small luncheon followed later on by an elaborate evening cocktail party.
“[This year] we wanted the opportunity to spend more personal time with our winners, who after all are some of the most interesting people in travel and had come to New York to accept their World’s Best Awards from near and far,” said Travel & Leisure editor in chief Nancy Novogrod. “Having an elegant seated dinner enabled us to celebrate their accomplishments in an intimate and memorable way.”
Around 175 guests dined on burrata with confit tomatoes and olive tapenade, pan-roasted halibut, and petit filet mignon, while actor Chris Noth presented the winners of the magazine's readers' poll—which highlights the top cities, hotels, cruises, spas, and more—with their awards from a small stage set up at the front of the raw loft space.
Around 9 p.m., the after-party guests—including travel industry executives, clients, and agency representatives—arrived to join the festivities. Overseen by director of special events Penelope Bonaldi, the magazine employed a purple, gold, and white color scheme with swank lounge areas and photos of award-winning locations projected onto the venue’s white walls. As guests mingled, waitstaff from Mary Giuliani Catering & Events passed bite-size desserts, and sponsor Patrón served freshly squeezed fruit margaritas while DJ Paul Sevigny spun records.