About US

The Key to New York City Hospitality!

Serving the Hotel Industry since 1878, HANYC (Hotel Association of New York City) is the oldest hotel association in the US and one of the oldest professional trade associations in the nation . Its founders’ mission was to establish an association that would serve as the voice of the hotel industry, supporting its members with the highest standard of services and best available resources. Today the Hotel Association of New York City is an internationally recognized leader in New York City’s $5 billion tourism industry, representing nearly 300 of the finest hotels with over 80,000 rooms and approximately 50,000 employees.

300 of the finest hotels

80,000 rooms

approximately 50,000 employees

In a city that serves as a global center for entertainment, media finance and culture, the hospitality industry plays a pivotal role. HANYC continues to anticipate the growing needs of its member hotels within New York City’s ever changing economic and political climate. The Association advocates on behalf of its members on a variety of legislative areas besides setting the standard for training, best practices and cooperative initiatives with a number of key New York City stakeholders.

"As the go-to source for New York’s hotel industry, HANYC is its proactive voice on all matters pertaining to hospitality. It advocates, educates, communicates and innovates to ensure the long term health and vitality of the industry. "

Vijay Dandapani

President and CEO of Hotel Association of New York City
President Letter

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FINANCE COMMITTEE

OFFICE MANAGEMENT & STAFF

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

COUNSEL/CONSULTANTS

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Past Chair - 2017

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Steve Batta, Chairman	Highgate Hotels

Hervé Houdré, Founder	H2 Sustainability Consulting

Vijay Dandapani, President and CEO	Hotel Association of New York City

John Schafer	Grand Hyatt New York


Daniel Fevre	Courtyard by Marriott New York JFK Airport

Geoffrey Mills	Hudson Hotel

Craig Russel	Roger Smith Hotel

John Fitzpatrick	Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America

OFFICE MANAGEMENT & STAFF

Vijay Dandapani

President and CEO

Niki J. Franzitta, Esq.

Vice President of Member Relations and Development

Albert Fernandez

CFO / Controller

Sandy Abiad

Executive Assistant

Neil Tai

Technology Associate

Tamta Beriashvili

Office Coordinator

Rosa E. Reyes

Receptionist/Secretary

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Steve Batta, Highgate Hotels

Shane Cookman, Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel

Vijay Dandapani, President and CEO Hotel Association of New York City

Diarmuid Dwyer, New York Hilton Midtown

John Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America

Fred Grapstein, Vornado Realty Trust Hospitality Group

Sam Grabush, Highgate Hotels

Becky Hubbard, Lotte New York Palace

John Rieman, JW Marriott Essex House

Robert Lafferty, Highgate Hotels

John Schafer, Grand Hyatt New York

Marc Sternagel, The Roosevelt Hotel New York

Charmaine Stafford, IHG

Sean Verney, Sheraton New York Times Square

COUNSEL/CONSULTANTS

COUNSEL

Kane Kessler, P.C.

David R. Rothfeld, Esq.
Steven Cohen, Esq.
Robert L. Sacks, Esq.
Lois M. Traub, Esq. —– 646-957-3826
Alexander Soric, Esq. —– 917-613-8459
Jennifer M. Schmalz, Esq. —– 845-519-9119
Jaclyn K. Ruocco, Esq. —– 973-902-9489
Joseph Tangredi, Esq. —– 917-803-8002

CONSULTANTS

Metropolitan Public Strategies, Inc.

Neal Kwatra, CEO

Austin Shafran, Senior Vice President

Kasirer Consulting

Suri Kasirer, President

LAK Public Relations, Inc.

Lisa Linden, President & CEO

David Simpson, Senior Vice President

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

Wealth Management Advisor

Yatin Doshi, Senior Vice President

AUDITOR

Davis, Ward & Hochman LLP Larry B. Hochman, CPA, Partner

David H. Ward, CPA, Partner

Office of the Impartial Chairperson

Pam Ozoria

Sara French

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

W. R. Dadukian Duke Associates

Bunny Grossinger Bunny Grossinger Enterprises

Marilyn Q. Lipman

Arnold Tanner Westchester Country Club

COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS

American Hotel & Lodging Association
Chip Rogers, President & CEO

The Broadway League Inc.
Charlotte St. Martin, President

Credit Management Association
Michael Mitchell,CAE, President & CEO

Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals – New York City Chapter
Elena Mitronich, President

Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
Consuela Hooblal, President
Kathie Stapleton, Executive Director

Hotel Engineers Association of New York
Sarah Berman, Executive Director

The Leading Hotels of the World, LTD.
Ted Teng, President & CEO

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Liza Parker, Chief Operating Officer

NYC & Company
Fred Dixon, CEO

NYC Hospitality Alliance
Andrew Rigie, Executive Director

New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
Mark Dorr President

New York State Restaurant Association
Melissa Autlio Fleischut, President & CEO

Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Jonathan Newbury, Vice President

RMPG, a York RSG Co.
Liam J. Dunne, President/CEO

Big Apple Greeters.
Alicia Pierro, Executive Director

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Steve Batta – Senior Vice President Asset Management, Highgate Hotels

Shane Cookman – Area General Manager, Fitzpatrick Hotels

Vijay Dandapani – President & CEO, Hotel Association of New York City

Robert Lafferty – Vice President of Human Resources & Labor Counsel, Highgate Hotels

John Rieman – General Manager, JW Marriott Essex House.

David Salcfas – General Manager, New York Marriott East Side

Sean Verney – General Manager, Sheraton New York Times Square

AUDIT COMMITTEE

John Schafer, Chairman Grand Hyatt New York

Steve Batta Highgate Hotels

Sam Grabush Highgate Hotels

John Rieman JW Marriott Essex House New York

Robert Snyder Tishman Hotel Corporation

Sean Verney Sheraton New York Times Square

Past Chair - 2017

Herve Houdre

hervé@houdre.com