Author: Alfredo Casuso

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Dezart Performs Presents Mental Amusements January 13 – 24, 2021

An online, live-streaming virtual journey through the mind with award-winning Mentalist Vinny DePonto 

www.dezartperforms.org 

17 December 2020 – Palm Springs, CA:  Dezart Performs wants to know what you’re thinking – and with Mental Amusements performed by internationally acclaimed Vinny DePonto, they will! Known to legions of fans from his Off-Broadway, pre-COVID performances, DePonto presents this online, live-streaming experience January 13 – 24, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm (PST) and Sundays at 4pm (PST). At-home viewers have the option to participate interactively in the show when they purchase a Front Row Experience ticket. Or, they can sit back, relax and watch the performance with a General Viewing Experience ticket. 

“Vinny’s’ virtual interactive show has been wowing people all over the world for the last few months,” said Dezart Performs Founding Artistic Director Michael Shaw. “As soon as I saw it, I thought this was a unique and amazing journey that I wanted to share with our audience.”

Designed exclusively for the virtual stage as an interactive live-streamed event, Mental Amusements uses a combination of psychological tricks, illusion, visual art, and immersive storytelling to astonish audiences with DePonto’s mind-boggling skills.

“My goal is to create an experience that brings people together much like a carnival draws folks from all around to rediscover wondrous amusements together,” says DePonto.  “This show has been an unexpected joy to perform. I’ve connected with folks from all around the world and rather than their faces getting lost in a dark theater, I have been able to look them each in the eyes, albeit via a screen, and say thank you for being here. It’s a very personal experience which is what I love so much about this craft. Hope you’ll join me for a night out in the carnival of our minds.”

DePonto’s most recent Off-Broadway stage show Charlatan was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Production. In addition to his live performances, his consulting work has been featured in hit television shows on The Discovery Channel, NBC, and Netflix, in the most recent Broadway production of Angels in America, and at Lincoln Center in Ghost Light, by the award-winning theater group Third Rail Projects, of which he is a member.

Of Mental Amusements, the New York Timessays”Mr. DePonto’s craftsmanship consistently impresses” while the New Yorker raves that “this online production has an endearing lo-fi charm. DePonto pulls off some real whoppers.”

The show runs approximately 60 minutes. Front Row Experience tickets, priced at $54 per household, put audiences right into the action, participating in the show and having their minds read. General Viewing Experience tickets, priced at $39 per household, allow viewers to watch, without being seen or heard. Tickets are available now at www.dezartperforms.org .

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley. For more information go online at www.dezartperforms.org, or call (760) 322-0179.

Media contact:
DP&A, Inc. / David Perry. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

World’s Most Unique Holiday Tree
A gift to the world from the LGBTQ Community
Promoting Peace, Love and Humanitarian Action

People Around the World Asked to Submit
“Wishes for the Future of the World”
to be hung on tree decorated with thousands of Folded Origami Cranes

Largest such annual installation on the planet

The 15th Rainbow World Fund “World Tree of Hope”
at Grace Cathedral through January 10, 2021 

Wishes will be added to the Tree throughout December
Virtual Tree Lighting Monday, December 21, 7pm

www.worldtreeofhope.org

14 December 2020 – San Francisco:  Wishes are powerful — they are the seeds of action. For the 15th year, those seeds bear fruit. Rainbow World Fund (RWF) invites the people of the world to submit wishes to decorate the RWF World Tree of Hope, a global symbol of unity and hope for a better world and a unique and inspirational feature of San Francisco’s holiday season.  Since 2006, its first year, hundreds of thousands of wishes have be sent in online and by mail from people in over seventy countries to adorn the Tree.

The RWF World Tree of Hope is the largest origami decorated holiday tree in the world, traditionally decorated with over 17,000 origami cranes and stars. Each crane or star is hand folded and inscribed with wishes for the future of the world. 

The RWF World Tree of Hope is a gift to the San Francisco Bay Area and the world from the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community. The tree is on display in the AIDS Memorial Chapel of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco until January 10, 2021 (per COVID-19, visit https://gracecathedral.org to see when the Cathedral is open). 

Designed as the world’s most unique holiday tree, people worldwide can help decorate the tree by simply sharing their wish for the future. The wishes come from people of all ages, all faiths and all walks of life. Wishes are sent in from around the world online at http://www.worldtreeofhope.org or via mail to RWF World Tree of Hope / 4111 18th Street # 5 / San Francisco, CA 94114. The wishes are then printed and folded into origami cranes by a diverse team of volunteers including members of San Francisco’s LGBTQ and Japanese American communities, survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, local children, and life-sentence prisoners from San Quentin. The origami “crane wishes” are then placed on the tree. Submitting a wish is FREE and open to everyone. Wishes will be added to the Tree throughout December and are accepted year round.

“We created the World Tree of Hope to inspire hope and to encourage people to think about what they would like for the future of the world, and then take action,” said Jeff Cotter, Rainbow World Fund founder and executive director. “The tree illustrates that while a single person’s offering is valuable, the collective effort of many possesses great power and strength. If each person would do just one small thing that is good for our world today, we will be better off tomorrow than we were yesterday.”

Notable wishes on the Tree have come from President Barack Obama, Dame Jane Goodall, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Isabel Allende, the late SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Mariela Castro, Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī, the late Shirley Temple Black, Frances Moore Lappe, Danielle Steel, the late Patty Duke, Sharon Gless, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Jane Elliot, Stanlee Gatti and RuPaul.  

“A world for our children more just, more fair, and more kind than the one we know now.” –President Barack Obama

“I dare to wish for a world in which people live in harmony with each other and with the natural world and all the wondrous animals with whom we share the planet.” –Dame Jane Goodall

Samples of celebrity and children’s wishes are at https://www.worldtreeofhope.org/celebrity-wishes 

The Tree is inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, the Japanese child whose journey and death several years after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima transformed the origami crane into a symbol of world peace. In 1955, the origami crane became an international symbol of peace when the world learned the story of Sadako Sasaki. Ten years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, 12 year old Sadako contracted leukemia. While in the hospital, a friend told her about a Japanese legend that the folder of a thousand paper cranes would be granted one wish. Sadako started folding but grew weaker with time. Her wish to be healed grew into a wish for peace for all the world. Sadako passed away and was 356 cranes short of her goal. Her classmates folded the rest and all 1,000 were buried with her. On the wings of her cranes Sadako would write messages. One deeply profound message read, “I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.” Her hope, strength and determination have inspired millions to this day.

“The Rainbow World Fund World Tree of Hope taps into two of our most powerful resources – the human mind and heart,” Cotter sums up. “It gives individuals a way to join together to express our hopes and intentions for the future of our global community. It is a celebration of the power of hope — how essential it is to our survival, our healing and humanity”

This will be the fourth year that Grace Cathedral has hosted the Tree. In addition to being a beautiful venue that is open to the public, Grace Cathedral has a tradition of welcoming people of all faiths and spiritualities and being a strong supported of the LGBTQ community. Tree is created by Rainbow World Fund, an LGBTQ based nonprofit.  The Tree’s purpose is purely humanitarian with a message one of universal love. It is for everyone regardless of belief or non-belief. The Tree was previous displayed at San Francisco City Hall for eleven years.

The official online-virtual tree lighting celebration will be on Monday, December 21 at 7 pm at this Youtube Premiere link:  https://bit.ly/WorldTreeOfHope2020-Lighting

Featuring Emcee Donna Sachet ● The Right Reverend Marc Andrus, Bishop of California ● The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral ● Opera virtuoso Breanna Sinclairé ● jazz vocalist Veronica Klaus ● Pianist Tammy Hall ● Origami Artist Linda Mihara ● Rainbow World Fund Founder Jeff ● The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will bless the tree ● and much more! Admission is FREE.

About Rainbow World Fund: RWF’s mission is to promote peace, unity and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in local and humanitarian relief efforts. Founded in 2000, RWF is the world’s first LGBTQ-based humanitarian aid organization. RWF works to help people affected by natural disasters, hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and war by raising awareness in, and funds from, the LGBTQ community to support relief efforts around the world. RWF provides a united voice, a large visible presence both in the United States and abroad, and a proven structure to deliver LGBTQ charitable assistance to the larger world community. RWF has donated over $5 million in grants and life saving aid and provided over 75,000 volunteers hours helping both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ in need around the world. RWF’s philosophy is that we are all “One Human Family” and that we are living in a time that tells us that our survival on this planet depends on us all giving more to each other. RWF is 100% volunteer run. Learn more at: www.rainbowfund.org

CALENDAR LISTINGS: Events/ Benefits:

WHAT: Rainbow World Fund presents THE WORLD TREE OF HOPE – The world’s most unique holiday tree decorated with thousands of white origami cranes, each containing written wishes of hope and peace from children and individuals from around the world. Wishes can be submitted online for free at http://www.worldtreeofhope.org The wishes are printed, folded into origami cranes and placed on the tree. Be part of this unique symbol of global unity and hope!

WHEN: The tree is on display in the AIDS Memorial Chapel of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco until January 10, 2021 (per COVID-19, visit https://gracecathedral.org to see when the Cathedral is open).

VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Monday, December 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. on Youtube: https://bit.ly/WorldTreeOfHope2020-Lighting – Featuring Emcee Donna Sachet ● The Right Reverend Marc Andrus, Bishop of California ● The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral ● Opera virtuoso Breanna Sinclairé ● Jazz vocalist Veronica Klaus ● Pianist Tammy Hall ● Origami Artist Linda Mihara ● Rainbow World Fund Founder Jeff ● The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will bless the tree ● and much more! Admission is FREE.

Event details:http://www.worldtreeofhope.org/tree-lighting

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/713681865951298

WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Wishes will be added to the tree throughout December 2020. Submitting a wish is free!

SUBMIT A WISH ONLINE: http://www.worldtreeofhope.org

MAIL WISHES TO: Rainbow World Fund, 4111 – 18th Street #5, San Francisco, CA 94114

INFO: 415-431-1485 or http://www.worldtreeofhope.org

PRESS INFO. & ASSETS:

YouTube Tree Invitation to Hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD-oLJZHJDA

YouTube 1 minute time lapse of decorating tree (2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqq1vrqJT

MEDIA ADVISORY / COVERAGE REQUEST: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 & EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH JANUARY 20

Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

WHO: Manny’s Presents

WHAT:
National book club with former senior Obama Administration
Officials around President Obama’s new book
“A Promised Land”

WHEN: Every Wednesday December 9 – January 20
5pm – 6:30pm PST

WHERE: Online at: www.welcometomannys.com

HOW MUCH: $ 10 

WHY: In an unprecedented online gathering, Manny’s is sponsoring a special bookclub with former senior officials from the Barack Obama Administration focused on President Obama’s new book “A Promised Land.” Taking place every Wednesday, December 9 – January 20, 2021 (Inauguration Day for President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris), the event costs $ 10 per event with registration online at www.welcometomannys.com. 

“We need community during these times more than ever and it’s my sincere hope that the weekly Obama book club with former senior administration officials will provide exactly that,” said Manny Yekutiel, 31, who founded and runs the eponymous community engagement space and café dubbed “the New Hampshire of California” (KCBS Radio) for its hosting of myriad political events including hosting 17 Democratic presidential candidates.  “It’s a way to foster community, learning, inspiration, and growth and deep to way to end a difficult year. Also, to be able really understand Barack Obama and his legacy. Finally, to learn real lessons from his time in office to apply to today and the future.”

Yekutiel notes with a smile: “Yes, people are required to complete reading the book before each meeting.” 

The schedule of this once-in-a-lifetime book club follows:

December 9:  Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (longest serving)

December 16: David Plouffe, Campaign Manager of the ’08 Presidential Campaign

December 23:  David Simas, Director of Political Affairs and Special Assistant to the President, current CEO of the Obama Foundation

December 30: Sam Kass, Chef to the Obamas, Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy, and Executive Director for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign

January 6, 2021: Lisa Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency  Administrator

January 13, 2021:  Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, 

January 20, 2021: Brian Bond, White House LGBT Liaison Deputy director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Since opening its doors on Election Night 2018, Manny’s has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 500 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities, and hosted 17 presidential candidates in his first year alone. Also, in addition to receiving much media and public attention, Manny’s was recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the Year.” 

Manny’s is a people powered, community focused meeting and learning place in the heart of San Francisco that combines a restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space. Manny’s goal: to create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen. Manny’s offers its events space to nonprofits, activists and civic organizations to spread their message and do their work as well as hosting its own civic and arts related programming. Manny’s kitchen is run by the non-profit, Farming Hope, which hires formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them in the food skills needed to work in the restaurant industry.

Cristina Mittermeier Honored as 2020 “Ocean Champion” at Waves to Recovery: International Ocean Film Festival
2020 Virtual Fall Benefit

Thursday, December 10 at 6pm (PST)

www.intloceanfilmfest.org
Evening Produced by Beyond Pix Studios
Emcee David Eugene Perry partners with Celeb Auctioneer Franco Finn

FREE registration at this link: www.intloceanfilmfest.org/benefit

8 December 2020 – San Francisco, CA.  It seems fitting that Cristina Mittermeier who PBS’ Nova hailed for “changing the world one photograph at a time” should be the recipient of this year’s “Ocean Champion Award” from the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org)whose motto is, “Saving the world’s oceans, one film at time.”  Co-founder and Managing Director of SeaLegacy, co-founder of Only One and Executive Producer of Echoes in the Arctic, Mittemeier has traveled to more than 100 countries and worked in remote corners of the planet with Indigenous groups to document the delicate balance between human cultures and biodiverse ecosystems.  The first woman photographer to reach 1 million followers on Instagram will be honored on Thursday, December 10 at 6pm (PST) at the Waves to Recovery virtual benefit. The evening includes a silent auction advanced exclusive sneak film previews for the 18^th Annual film festival and a cocktail hour hosted by a local celebrity mixologist, Pete Sittnick of Waterbar Restaurant on San Francisco’s Waterfront. Proceeds from the evening will support the Festival’s Free Online Ocean Education Program, providing ocean inspired films and curricula to more than 5,000 young students across the Bay Area and throughout California. Produced by Beyond Pix Studios of San Francisco, the evening is emceed by long-time communications pro, TV personality and author David Eugene Perry with the celebrity auctioneer stylings of Franco Finn known to legions of fans for his work with the Golden State Warriors and dozens of charities.

“Being recognized as a 2020 Ocean Champion at the 18th Annual Ocean International Film Festival is a privilege and an honor. Acknowledgements like this create both excitement and credibility to the work that so many people are doing to advocate for the ocean,” says Mittermeier. “Storytelling through imagery is one of the most powerful ways to engage people around the world to participate in the creation of healthy and abundant oceans. We are all ocean people, and when we connect on an emotional level, we can move from a place of apathy into one of active participation.”

Past recipients of the Ocean Champion Award includelegendary oceanographer and marine activist Dr. Sylvia Earle, Kip Evans, director of Expeditions for Mission Blue, Academy-Award winning director Louie Psihoyos,  Jeff Boehmn, Executive Director of the Marine Mammal Center and Swedish environmentalist and climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

“Waves to Recovery  represents our undaunted effort to inspire advocacy for our oceans. It’s about the hope we share,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the Festival. “Together, we will restore our ocean’s biodiversity, health, relevance, respect and accessibility for all. Our commitment remains stronger than ever. Cristina’s tireless efforts are an example of such a commitment and an inspiration to us all.”

Mittermeier received her undergraduate degree in marine biology from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico in 1989. She married Dr. Russell Mittermeier in 1991 and the two of them moved to Great Falls, Virginia. It is with him that she has coauthored several books. Prior to becoming a professional photographer, she conducted fieldwork in the Gulf of California and the Yucatan Peninsula in subjects including marine mammals, fisheries, aquaculture, biodiversity research and conservation, resulting in publications in scientific journals. Her images focus on demonstrating the important relationship between human cultures, especially indigenous people and biodiversity. In 2005, Mittermeier created the International League of Conservation Photographers. In 2008, she was named one of Sony’s Artisans of Imagery

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 560 films from 40 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Current sponsors for the upcoming 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary, the Consul General of Canada, RBC Wealth Management, Pacific Gas & Electric, and  RingCentral.

The International Ocean Film Festival encourages its patrons, supporters and partners to follow the most current advice from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 in Northern California and beyond, and to stay tuned for announcements about International Ocean Film Festival events once the threat level is reduced. The 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is currently scheduled to take place as a hybrid event, both in-person at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, as allowed by health officials and virtually online on April 16 – 30, 2021 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit. www.intloceanfilmfest.org and social at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest
• Twitter @oceanfilmfest
• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

Franco Finn is in his 19th Season as the In-Arena MC and TV Personality for the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Known as the “Warriors Hype Man” at Oracle Arena and now the new Chase Center in San Francisco, he performs live in front of 20,000+ fans each night.  Franco’s job is to energize and entertain the crowds and his responsibilities include introducing the team’s starting lineup, hosting the pre-game show “Warriors TV” and conducting all the contests and promos at the Arena.  Also, Franco is currently a segment host on KRON 4 TV and freelances as an MC/host for the San Francisco Giants’ special events for the past 11 seasons. He is a local and national MC, hosting a variety of sporting events from NASCAR to Red Bull’s extreme sports events.  His previous stints include being an on-air personalty and host for TV and Radio for CBS, Comcast SportsNet, the Oakland Raiders (NFL Network), KOFY-TV, Radio Disney, KGO AM 810, and guest appearances on ESPN Radio.  Franco  s also a professional auctioneer and graduated from the prestigious Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in North Carolina, and also holds the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation (B.A.S.) from the National Auctioneer Association (NAA). He’s been involved in a multitude of fundraising and corporate events for various high-profile companies to non-profits.  He has worked with some of the most recognized non-profit charities and organizations from the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, The Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a handful, helping to raise millions of dollars and counting, in his career! 

David Eugene Perry is the founder/CEO of David Perry & Associates, Inc (www.davidperry.com) a full service Marketing/PR, Government Affairs & Business Development firm with international reach based in San Francisco and Palm Springs. Perry is a recipient of an “Outstanding Business Award” from the SF Business Arts Council. He is a member of the San Francisco/Cork, Ireland Sister City Committee, the Golden Gate Business Association and the Desert Business Association. Perry is the co-founder of the non-profit /all volunteer Rainbow Honor Walk and the creator of “10 Percent”, the longest running LGBT TV show in California history and hosts the popular online interview show “Ahoy!”. He is the author of the just released critically-acclaimed best-selling mystery thriller Upon This Rock from Pace Press and a frequent lecturer on communications and social media.

About Beyond Pix Studios:
Beyond Pix SF Studios (www.beyondpixsf.com) for over 25 years has been providing complete video production services and support to the production community, broadcasters, public relations and corporate communication professionals in and outside of San Francisco. Their broadcast, live stream, production and post facility is located at 950 Battery Street – a short walk north of San Francisco’s financial district.  With two broadcast insert studios, a purpose-built video production and live stream stage, post-productions edit suites and in-house neighbors that specialize in audio post and color correction Beyond Pix is on the cutting edge of contemporary video and online production.

Media Contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Winners Announced for SF Hotel Council 17th Annual Hotel Hero Awards 

7 December 2020 — San Francisco, CA: This past Friday, the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) presented its 17^th Annual Hotel Hero Awards in a moving online event hosted by Emmy Award winner Liam Mayclem.

“Everyone who works in the hospitality industry, especially this last year, is a hero,” said Kevin Carroll, Hotel Council President and CEO. “These individuals and hotels represent the very best of our industry and serve as an inspiration for us all.”

Established in 2003, the Hotel Hero awards were created to pay tribute to the people who dedicate their lives to the hospitality industry. As the largest industry in San Francisco, hotels and tourism directly impact the success of many businesses throughout San Francisco, supporting over 105,000 jobs.Following is the list of this year’s honorees:

• Community Spirit Award: The Omni San Francisco
  Given to a hotel or hotel company that contributes to the community. Contributions include volunteer efforts, donations, and giving back through various programs and organization.
  
• Sustainability Award: The Argonaut Hotel
  Given to a hotel or hotel company committed to sustainability. This commitment can be proven through instituting green design and equipment, water conservation, local food sourcing and waste reduction programs.

• Rising Star Award (hotel with 300 rooms or less): Ivana Mihjalovic:  Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf, Director of Rooms.
• Rising Star Award (hotel with 301 or more rooms): Linda Samara: Omni San Francisco, Business Travel Manager.
  Given to an individual who has been in the industry for less than five years but demonstrates the potential to become a pivotal figure in the hospitality.

• Unsung Hero (hotel with 300 rooms or less) Steven Marshall: Hotel Abri, Restaurant Manager.
• Unsung Hero (hotel with 301 or more rooms) Carol Yan: Palace Hotel, Room Attendant.
  Given to someone who enables their hotel to enhance guest experiences. An unsung hero strives to improve customer service out of professionalism and dedication to true hospitality.

• Beyond the Call of Duty Award (hotel 300 rooms or less) Carrie Li: The Orchard Hotel, Assistant Front Office Manager.
• Beyond the Call of Duty Award (hotel 301 rooms or more) Jacqueline Ocasio: Park Central San Francisco, Front Office Manager.
  Given to an individual who demonstrates the willingness to go beyond the call of duty. At a minimum, the employee created an unforgettable experience for a guest or colleague.

• Werner Lewin Lifetime Achievement Award (non-manager): Ana Duarte: The Westin St. Francis, Human Resources Coordinator.
  Given to an individual (non-manager) who has proven dedication and commitment to the hotel industry for over ten years.

• Lifetime Achievement (Department Manager) Randy Saito: Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Director of Food and Beverage.
  Given to a department manager who has proven dedication and commitment to the hotel industry for over 15 years.

• Bob Begley Lifetime Achievement Award: Tiff Schafer: Westin St. Francis, Senior Area Director of Human Resources.
  Given to an individual who is an executive leadership team member, general manager, vice president or regional manager. This person has proven dedication, leadership and commitment to the hotel industry for at least 15 years.

Presenting sponsor for this year’s event were Clearway Energy. Award sponsors were  the Bay Club, Big Bus, Clearway Energy, Recology, San Francisco Travel, Swinerton, Tito’s Vodka and United Airlines.  The Prize sponsor was Cintas. Supporting Sponsors included David Perry & Associates, Inc., PSAV, Tito’s Vodka and Young’s Market Company.

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. With a membership roster of over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations, the Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support its growth and success.