REBNY's 109th annual banguet sold-out success.

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) celebrated its most successful annual banquet in history on January 20, 2005, a complete sell-out event, with nearly 3,000 attendees. The 109th annual event was characterized by a traditionally talkative crowd, many who stood most of the evening networking and dealmaking, and an award presentation to honor the leading executives in the industry.

REBNY honored six top real estate executives at the event. Top honors were presented to Stephen M. Ross of The Related Companies, L.P., who took home the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker award, and Jerry I. Speyer of Tishman Speyer Properties who received the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate award.

Jeffrey R. Gural of Newmark received the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award, Mary Ann Tighe of CB Richard Ellis received the Louis Smadbeck Broker Recognition Award, Sarah K. Cohn of KTR Newmark Real Estate Services and Koeppel Companies, received the Young Real Estate Woman of the Year Award, and Gregg A. Popkin of CB Richard Ellis received the George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award.

"This has been the most successful banquet in REBNY's 109-year history," said Steven Spinola, REBNY President. "We sold out every seat in the room, and still had requests for tickets the day of the event. It was one of the only times we've had to tell people that there just was not enough capacity in the room to sell more tickets. The high level of attendance was great and the vibe in the room is always a great indication of how the market is doing. This year's crowd brought a good vibe. Most people were standing the whole night, talking to their colleagues and associates about the market activity, and of course, trying to make deals."

The brief program, which is often difficult to hear because of the chatter on the floor, began with an invocation by The Very Reverend James P. Kowalski of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, followed by Councilwoman Melinda Katz singing "America the Beautiful." Numerous elected officials graced the dais, along with the honorees and REBNY's executive committee. Attending officials included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Comptroller William Thompson, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields.

"We thank our sponsors and our staff who worked tirelessly to put together such a successful event," added Mr. Spinola.