BC/EFA's Tom Viola Among 2015 June Briggs Award Honorees

Briggs Inc. announced today the 2015 June Briggs Awards winners for Excellence in Destination Management Services. The awards honor New York City's outstanding businesses that have excelled in service and performance in the destination management and hospitality industry.

The awards presentation will take place January 12, 2015 at 6pm at The Eventi Hotel (851 Avenue of the Americas, NYC). For more information, visit www.JuneBriggsAwards.com.

The 2015 June Briggs Awards honorees are:

- Al Roker

- The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum - Alice M. Greenwald, Director

- Tom Viola (BC/EFA)

- Bounce Entertainment - Dean Vali, President & Owner

A destination management company (DMC) operates with extensive knowledge of the destination they serve. A DMC provides design and implementation services for events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics for meetings, incentive programs and special events.

As part of the evening's celebration, there will be a special performance from pianist and vocalist Wade Preston, of the Movin' Out Band.

The June Briggs Awards for Destination Management Excellence in New York City are named in honor of the visionary founder of the DMC industry in New York, June Briggs.

"The hospitality industry is one of the cornerstones of New York City's economy and its global image," said Anthony Napoli, President of Briggs Inc. "We are proud that the June Briggs Awards has grown in prestige and importance over the past 13 years, as it continues to recognize and honor those who have made exceptional contributions to this vital business."

Past recipients of the June Briggs Awards include: Ivanka Trump and Trump Soho, Zagat Restaurant Surveys, The New York Yankees, New York Marriott Marquis, 54 Below, Carey Limousine, Macy's, Ken Palmer of Patina Group, Tavern on the Green, The Cipriani Group, Great Performances, The '21' Club, Starbright Floral Design, The Four Seasons Hotel, Remi Restaurant, Bermuda Limousine, Academy Motorcoach and Chez Josephine.

About the 2015 Recipients:

Al Roker:

In addition to being known as the Emmy award-winning host of NBC's "Today," and America's most trusted weatherman on both "Today" and "Wake Up with Al" on the Weather Channel, Al Roker is also the owner and CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, a television production company specializing in highly compelling, entertaining unscripted programming. Al started his company in 1994 producing specials for the Food Network, and has enjoyed success creating programs for NBC, The History Channel, TRU TV, ANIMAL Planet, GAC, The Weather Channel, Discovery, Spike, A&E and many others.

The National September 11 Memorial Museum:

The National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center bears solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The Museum honors the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. It further recognizes the thousands who survived and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath. Demonstrating the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and its impact on communities at the local, national, and international levels, the Museum attests to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity and affirms an unwavering commitment to the fundamental value of human life.

Tom Viola and Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS:

Tom Viola is the Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), one of the nation's leading industry-based not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $250 million for critically needed services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other critical health issues nationwide. www.broadwaycares.org BC/EFA supports a wide variety of programs at The Actors' Fund of America: The HIV/AIDS Initiative; The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative; Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic; Artists Health Insurance Resource Center, The Dancers' Resource; three supportive housing residences, The Actors' Work Program and more. In 2014, BC/EFA awarded The Actors Fund over $4.6 million. In addition, BC/EFA awards grants to over 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. In 2014, BC/EFA's National Grants Program awarded more than $5.7 million to these essential social service agencies. Viola was the founding administrative director of Equity Fights AIDS in 1988 saw through its merger with Broadway Cares in 1992 and has been Executive Director of BC/EFA since 1997. In 2010, he was awarded the Tony Honor "in recognition of the leadership, advocacy and creativity with which he has mobilized the theatre community's response to AIDS and other critical health issues as executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Dean Vali and Bounce Entertainment:

The roots of Dean Vali's musical legacy run over 65 years deep beginning with Dean's father and acclaimed Greek recording artist Gus Vali. Mr. Vali's high level of success in the recordings field led to bigger success in the social market. Dean started as the bass player at Gus Bali Music and then became in demand as a band leader and musical director. Dean also became known in the industry for being a highly talented musician in the studio and on Broadway, and continued as the contractor for Gus Vali Music. In 2008 Bounce was born. Dean parlayed his reputation and relationships amongst the premier talent in New York to pursue a long time dream of producing entertainment for corporate events. Bounce Music and Entertainment has raised the standard in corporate entertainment, offering the most sought after talent, event production, and custom shows in the industry. Today, Bounce works coast to coast and across the world providing high level entertainment to many Fortune 500 Companies and still supplies superior bands for notable weddings. Bounce prides itself on their exclusive New York custom shows and productions. Only 7 years young, Bounce has managed to take a stake in the market and make a name for themselves as a go-to resource for entertainment.

The June Briggs Awards, named for the founder of Briggs, Inc., were created to recognize New York City businesses that have excelled in service and performance in the destination management and hospitality industry. First presented in 2002, the June Briggs Awards continue to honor the very best of this vital NYC industry.

About Briggs Inc. - Long considered one of New York's leading DMCs, Briggs Inc. was recently named one of the "25 Top DMCs" in USA by Special Events Magazine. Founded in 1982 by June Briggs as Briggs Red Carpet Associates, they're the oldest DMC in New York City. Specializing in the logistics, details and planning of meetings and events, Briggs utilizes its in-depth knowledge of the field and years of experience to organize programs customized to suit their client's needs. Services often include arranging catering, dinners, entertainment and travel management, as well as providing guides, hosts and private tours. Briggs has been the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the SITE Crystal Award and the BizBash Special Event Award. Briggs strives to exceed client expectations, and the company's unmatched reputation has been built on a foundation of reliability, creativity, total team commitment and ever-present good humor. For more information, visit www.briggsnyc.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride