Founder:
Lynn Brooks

Executive Director:
Alicia Pierro

Special Events Coordinator/Database Administrator:
Alison Brooks

Editor:
Lisa Schultze

Writers & Contributors:
Janet Alicea
Andrea Coyle
Loraine Heller
Chantal Lawrence

Photographers:
Paul Margolis
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Marcus Reidenberg
Jerry Ruotolo
Robert Sand

BIG APPLE GREETER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As of 3/10/2009

Chair* - Thomas G. Lewis, President, Gray Line New York Sightseeing

Vice Chair* - Louise Morman

Treasurer* - Kenneth Smith, CPA, Eisner LLP Accountants and Advisors

Founder* - Lynn Brooks, Big Apple Greeter

Executive Director* - Alicia Pierro, Big Apple Greeter

Barbara Bailey - Assistant Director of Communications, Workers of America Local 1180's Retiree Division (Retired)

Kamal Bhatia, CFA - Managing Director & Head of Asset Management Products, TIAA-CREFF Asset Management

Garrett R. Bowden

Christopher P. Boylan* - Deputy Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Chairman Emeritus)

Patty Clark - Sr. Advisor to the Aviation Director for External Affairs, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Patrick W. Condren - President, Patcon Associates, Ltd.

Kelly Ann Curtin - Senior Vice President, Membership, NYC & Company

Matthew Daus - Commissioner, New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission

Merrie L. Davis - President & Publisher, MVP|NY

Douglas Durst - President, The Durst Organization

Don Eugene* - Senior Officer, R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. (Retired); Callydus Group LLC

Daniel Friedman - Vice President, General Services, The Bank of New York Mellon

Paul Insalaco* - President, BF9 Media (Immediate Past Chair)

Greg Janoff - General Manager, 1010 WINS Radio

Peter Kohlmann - Founder, PeKo Creative

Jeffrey Lam - Managing Member, Lam Generation, LLC

Diane McNulty - Director of Community Affairs, The New York Times

Cristyne L. Nicholas* - CEO, Nicholas & Lence Communications

Laurie Norris - Intercultural Communications & Editorial Services Consultant; Greeter Representative

Laura Osman - Senior Managing Director, Concord International Investments

David Rothfeld, Esq.* - Partner, Kane Kessler, P.C.

Brian T. Rutter

John J. Ruzich, OBE* - President & CEO, The TIMM Group, LLC

Stephen Schnall* - Senior Enlistment Executive, LRN Corporation

Joseph E. Spinnato - President, Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.

Vincent J. Tabone - Attorney at Law, Law Office of Vincent J. Tabone

Diana L. Taylor - Managing Director, Wolfensohn & Company, L.L.C.

Barbara M. Tomanelli - Executive Assistant to Vice President, MetLife (Retired); Greeter Representative

Markly Wilson - Director, International Marketing, New York State Division of Tourism

James H. Yates - Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Economic Development, New York Power Authority

Chairman Emeritus - Joel L. Epstein, Chairman & CEO, AIG Consumer Finance (Retired)

Honorary Lifetime Member - Elizabeth A. Baltz, Global Business Development & Management

Honorary Lifetime Member - Horace Webb, Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Con Edison (Retired)


Ex-Officio Members
Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York

Earl D. Brown, Acting Bronx Borough President

Hon. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

Hon. Helen M. Marshall, Queens Borough President

Hon. James P. Molinaro, Staten Island Borough President

Hon. Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President


Executive Committee*

Photo courtesy of Robert Sand.

NEW Walking Itineraries

    Take a walk. Around town, that is! Interested in learning how agriculture ties into an urban area? Eat and enjoy New York State grown and produced food and wine at venues throughout the city! To do that, first visit our newly posted walking itineraries that center on Chelsea, Union Square, and the West Village in Manhattan, and Park Slope in Brooklyn. The Manhattan walking itinerary includes information and historical facts regarding buildings, streets, and shops. You'll learn about some of the farmers who sell their homegrown and homemade foods at the Union Square Market. Get ready to walk because you will need to burn lots of calories!

   If you want to explore more of New York City and all of its neighborhoods, visit our "Neighborhood Information Profiles" page. Neighborhood information profiles were developed as a way for visitors to get acquainted with more New York City neighborhoods. Use them to help plan your own visit to that neighborhood, or read them as a way to get to know New York City better. Either way, you will enjoy the history, attractions, shopping, restaurants, background information, and map that you will find in each profile.

 
Photo courtesy of Marcus Reidenberg.

History & Greeter Bits

      Greeter Andrea Coyle likes to share the following tale about Clara Lemlich Shavelson with her visitors on her greeter visits to the Lower East Side.

      Clara Lemlich Shavelson, (January 1, 1886 - July 12, 1982), was a leader of the "Uprising of 20,000," also known as the massive strike of shirtwaist workers in NY's garment industry in 1909. Lemlich came to the attention of the outside world at the mass meeting held at Cooper Union on November 22, 1909, to rally support for the striking shirtwaist workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company and Leiserson Company. After the leading figures of the American labor movement and socialist leaders of the Lower East Side spoke for hours in general terms about the need for solidarity and preparedness, Lemlich demanded the opportunity to speak. Lifted onto the platform she demanded action:
    
     "I have listened to all the speakers, and I have no further patience for talk. I am a working girl, one of those striking against intolerable conditions. I am tired of listening to speakers who talk in generalities. What we are here for is to decide whether or not to strike. I offer a resolution that a general strike be declared!"

     The crowd responded enthusiastically and, after taking a traditional Yiddish oath - "If I turn traitor to the cause I now pledge, may this hand wither from the arm I now raise" - voted for a general strike. Approximately 20,000 out of the 32,000 workers in the shirtwaist trade walked out in the next two days; this would become known as the "Uprising of the 20,000." Lemlich took a leading role in bringing workers out, speaking at rallies until she lost her voice. The strike lasted until February 10, 1910, producing union contracts at almost every shop, but not at Triangle Shirtwaist.

     The worst factory fire in the history of NYC occurred on March 25, 1911, in the Asch building, where the Triangle Shirtwaist Company occupied the top three of 10 floors. Five hundred women, mostly Jewish immigrants between 13 and 23 years old, were employed there. The owners had locked the exit doors to keep the women at their sewing machines. In less than 15 minutes, 146 women died. The event galvanized support for additional efforts to be made to increase safety in the workplace. It also garnered support for labor unions in the garment district, and in particular for the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
--submitted by Greeter Andrea Coyle

Greeter Bits

    Greeter Chantal Lawrence shares a 2008 Election Day story: It was nice to spend Election Day showing Mr. Costas, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, the true meaning of American democracy. He was able to witness people of all backgrounds coming out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote. I was also able to explain to him the role of the popular vote and the Electoral College vote in US elections. Because the visit was on Election Day, I brought him to my neighborhood polling station and after I voted, we walked throughout Brooklyn. He told me that during elections in Brazil, people are afraid to venture out into the streets out of fear of getting shot! I told him that this election was so historic that Americans had come together to celebrate.

 
Photo: (c) 2008, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.

Big Apple Greeter Rings Closing Bell at NASDAQ

      Tourism and finance generate top dollars for New York City. On November 29, 2008, representatives of both sectors met on the trading floor when Founder Lynn Brooks, Board Chair Thomas Lewis and a team of volunteers rang the closing bell at NASDAQ, the famed global exchange located in Manhattan's Time Square.  The successful event was hosted by NASDAQ Managing Director and Big Apple Greeter volunteer Gregg Hernandez.

     "Big Apple Greeter is a great reflection on the city with very tangible benefits.  The financial industry faces challenges right now and since the current recession is global in nature, the tourism industry in New York has to deliver good value to travelers because people's disposable income is challenged right now," says Hernandez.

     Good value indeed. With a corps of over 300 volunteer Greeters welcoming visitors and promoting the city as friendly and accessible, Big Apple Greeter has been referred to as the most effective public relations tool of the city, capturing the attention of media and journalists across the globe. In fiscal year 2008, the organization welcomed journalists from 97 domestic and international media outlets, resulting in approximately 50 published stories, globally.

     "I think when you can humanize tourism in New York City, it can create so much new energy, and I really think that's fantastic," says Hernandez. 

     The NASDAQ event received extensive media coverage.  Business publications such as the CNBC Fast Money Show, CNBC Squawk Box, CNNMoney.com, Forbes, Fox News, the BBC and many other business publications from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East all covered the Big Apple Greeter event.
-- written by Janet Alicea

 
Photo courtesy of Paul Margolis.

Fan Mail

  "Joe Feldman surpassed all our expectations. He took us around all the main sights in an organized fashion and explained all the basic facts and history. But what was a thousand times more valuable was the fact that he littered the tour with anecdotes, hot tips and nuggets of information, and whisked us to places we would never see otherwise. His humor, enthusiasm and modesty left us with an eternally memorable impression of the city, which massively exceeded our expectations." Visitor from Kent, UK

      "It was a pleasure meeting Richard and seeing a little of the city from his eyes and with his perspective. I saw things and was told about events and recent histories, which guide books might be able to explain, but not bring to life." Visitor from St. Petersburg, Russia

      "We would never have been able to see as much as we were able to in our two day visit to the city. When we got back to the West Coast, we counted how many sights we saw: 29 in 48 hours! If left to our own devices, we would have muddled around the streets and never have ventured into some of the areas David took us." Visitor from Pleasanton, CA, USA

Pictured are: John Catsimatidis, Charlotte St. Martin, Tom Lewis, Alicia Pierro, and Dennis Swanson. Photo courtesy of Jerry Ruotolo.

Celebrate New York 2008: Event Draws Loyal Supporters

     Quite simply, it was the place to be -- Club 101 at 101 Park Avenue -- when Big Apple Greeter held its annual signature fund-raising benefit, auction and cocktail party known as Celebrate New York, last November. 

     Attendees included our supporters from the non-profit sector, government, corporate and travel industries, as well as our spectacular Greeters. It was an enthusiastic show of support for the work that Big Apple Greeter offers and many attendees noted how immeasurably the organization has helped the city's economy.

     In opening remarks, Matthew Daus, Taxi & Limousine Commissioner invited community, government and business leaders, along with local television personalities to become a "Greeter for a Day." The "Greeter for a Day" program offers the opportunity to those individuals to share their special New York experience with city visitors.

     Immediately following the opening remarks was the awards ceremony, which honored three exceptional New Yorkers for their unique contributions to life in the city: John Catsimatidis, Charlotte St. Martin, and Dennis Swanson.

     Daus presented the evening's first award -- the Community Service Award -- to John Catsimatidis, who is the Chairman and CEO of Red Apple Group, Inc. 

     In accepting his award, Catsimatidis referred to Big Apple Greeter volunteers as "ambassadors for New York," and graciously offered to become a Greeter for a Day to show visitors favorite sites from his own childhood in upper Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

    Christyne L. Nichols, CEO of Nicholas & Lence Communications, was joined by Lynn Brooks and Alicia Pierro at the podium to present awards to the evening's next honorees. Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, was presented the Entertainment Award, and Dennis Swanson, President of Station Operations for Fox Television, Inc., was given the Communications Award. 

     As St. Martin accepted her award, she noted with pride that Broadway shows are the number one attraction when visitors come to the city. She also compared New York City to a grand stage, where people from all over the world come together in creating the comedy and drama of their everyday lives. 

     Upon accepting his award, Swanson paid tribute to the many Big Apple Greeter volunteers who, he said, "give of themselves tirelessly, helping visitors get to know and love the city, creating memories that last a lifetime." 
 
     The benefit celebration was chaired by Tom Lewis, Chairman of Big Apple Greeter Board of Directors and President of Gray Line New York Sightseeing. To launch the evening's festivities, Lewis introduced "Making Connections," a video about Big Apple Greeter produced by Fox5 New York. 

     The live auction kicked-off and auctioneers for the evening were "Good Day New York" hosts Greg Kelly and Rosanna Scotto. The live auction items were all themed around travel: a close-up look at Kennedy or Newark Airport donated by The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; a tugboat tour of New York Harbor, donated by South Street Seaport Museum; a travel package to the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, donated by Loews Hotels and Delta Air Lines; and a travel package to London, donated by Delta Air Lines and Hilton Park Lane Hotels and LimoRes.

     Lucky bidders also cashed in on the silent auction, where prizes included airline tickets donated by Continental Airlines; a gift certificate donated by The Institute of Culinary Education and The Ritz-Carlton, New York; and tickets to the Big Apple Circus, donated by the American Museum of Natural History and Big Apple Circus. 

     The evening was filled with many well chosen words, from the evening's welcome speech by Tom Lewis to the closing remarks from Big Apple Greeter Executive Director Alicia Pierro.  But perhaps what best captured the feelings of everyone who had attended - sponsors, board members, staff and Greeters - was when the band, New York Express, struck up "Our Love is Here to Stay."  And not just for a year, forever and a day!
-- written by Loraine Heller

 
Photo courtesy of Jerry Ruotolo.

Enthusiastic Bidder Marie Christine Guerrin

     During Celebrate New York 2008, one donor enthusiastically bid on multiple items. Marie Christine Guerrin is a big fan of Big Apple Greeter and was the evening's lead bidder.

     If you ask Marie Christine why she supports Big Apple Greeter, she'll tell you that it's very important for U.S. and foreign visitors to have a good appreciation for all that New York City has to offer.

      Why was Marie Christine so enthusiastic?

     "There are so many things to see and do [in the city] that it's wonderful when you can select neighborhoods that are of interest, and to get to see it with a person who is excited to show you around their favorite spots."

     "The people are polite, caring and have the ultimate responsibility of taking care of strangers who usually end the visit as a friend. It's very important to keep this program available to New York City visitors," said Marie Christine.

Help Big Apple Greeter Meet Our Fundraising Goal: Investigate Your Company's Matching Gift Program

       Increasingly, corporations are compensating their employee's volunteer time with a matching gift or donation.

     In December 2008, Big Apple Greeter received a $1,000 donation through an innovative matching gift initiative at pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The Pfizer Volunteer Program (PVP) gives money to organizations where their employees donate time and resources. The donation was made in honor of Donald Orloski, Pfizers Manager, Worldwide Regulatory Strategy and Emerging Markets, and his commitment to Big Apple Greeter during 2008.

     "This is a great thing that many companies do," says Orloski.  "This program matches my time and commitment." 

     And the good news is that he plans to apply for the grant again in 2009.

     Orloski urges everyone involved with Big Apple Greeter to investigate what matching gift options are available with their employers, especially at this time. 

     "They should investigate and be on top of that.  Sometimes there are certain criteria you have to meet; for example, sometimes you have to be involved with the agency for a certain amount of time.  Be on top of details, so that you're able to get that money that is sitting out there waiting to be applied," Orloski says.  

     For more information on matching gift programs, please visit the Big Apple Greeter website or contact the Development Office at 212-669-3146.
-- written by Janet Alicea

to our "Celebrate New York 2008" Sponsors, Auction Donors, and Gift Bag Donors:

American Museum of Natural History
Karen Bell
Big Apple Circus
Bloomingdale's
Chez Josephine
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
The Durst Organization
Eisner LLP
Laura Fantini
The Glazier Group Inc.
Gray Line New York Sightseeing
Hilton Park Lane Hotel
Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.
The Institute of Culinary Education
The John & Margo Catsimatidis Foundation
LimoRes.net
Loews Hotels
Louise Blouin Media
Macy*s
Madame Tussauds
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52
MVP|NY
Nederlander Producing Co. of America, Inc.
The New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO
New York Marriott Marquis
The New York Says Thank You Foundation
New York Skyride
The News Corporation
NYC & Company
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Quadbliss.com
The Ritz Carlton Hotels of New York & Boston
Jerry Ruotolo
Ryland Homes
Charlotte St. Martin
The Shubert Organization, Inc.
South Street Seaport Museum
Christina Stanton Shopping Services
Steuben Foods, Inc.
Dennis Swanson
Tiffany & Co.
The Theatre Museum
USTA
Village Alliance
Wicked LLC
Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo
WNYW-TV/Fox 5 & WWOR/My 9
Zagat Survey

About Big Apple Greeter:

      Founded in 1992, Big Apple Greeter's mission is to enhance New York City's worldwide image while enriching the City experience for its visitors. Connecting with business and leisure visitors from all over the US and the world, Greeters take visitors on informal, unscripted walks through one or more neighborhoods in any of the five boroughs, promote tourism throughout the City, and help visitors discover the ease of using public transportation. Over 300 volunteer Greeters speak almost 25 languages and enjoy giving their time and energy back to their hometown. Since its founding, Big Apple Greeter - a free public service- has welcomed over 88,000 visitors and been featured in thousand of newspapers, magazines, and television and radio programs all over the world, reaching an audience of over two billion potential visitors to New York City. Big Apple Greeter is proud to partner with NYC & Company, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Metro New York.