Gift for Life to Honor Americasmart Chairman John Portman
GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 12/6/2011 8:30:00 AM
New York -- Gift industry charitable organization Gift for Life will present a special Legend for Life honor to architect and developer John C. Portman, Jr. at the organization's gala on January 29 in New York City.
This award, which is being presented upon the 20th anniversary of Gift for Life, recognizes Portman's more than five decades of entrepreneurship and service to the gift, stationery and home decor industry.
In 1957, Portman founded Atlanta Merchandise Mart, now the AmericasMart trade mart/tradeshow complex, which contains 7 million-square feet of facilities, including its most recent expansion, Building 2 WestWing. The complex attracts more than 548,000 attendees from every U.S. state and more than 80 countries to its 15 annual markets. Portman also designed and developed three major downtown hotels - the Hyatt Regency, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Marriott Marquis - which anchor the Atlanta convention district.
Portman's projects also appear in San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City as well as Singapore, Malaysia and China. He has served as a board member of the Atlanta College of Art, and is Trustee Emeritus of the Atlanta Arts Alliance. He has also served as a Director of the Atlanta High Museum of Art. The Georgia Institute of Technology, his alma mater, presented him their highest honor, the Exceptional Achievement Award, in 1986. His architectural awards include a lifetime achievement award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2009, the Silver Medal Award in 1981 from the Atlanta Chapter AIA for innovative design, and AIA Medal in 1978 from the National American Institute of Architects for innovations in hotel design.
"Mr. Portman's innovative designs and trailblazing vision are forever imprinted on cities around the world but most importantly his impact on our business is unmatched," said Peter Schauben, founder of Gift for Life. "For more than five decades his marketplace has served as a crossroads for buyers and sellers intent on creating better business. Hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs owe him a debt of gratitude."
"His legendary leadership, generosity and passion deserve special praise from the industry on a special night," said Leslie Nathan-Street, chair of the Gift for Life board. "We are honored to extend the Legend for Life award to Mr. Portman."
To join in honoring John Portman at Gift for Life's Party for Life gala, contact swilliams@diffa.org or visit http://www.giftforlife.org/events/2012-gift-for-life-fundraiser-party-for-life/
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