For more than 20 years of service beautifying the Big Apple’s hotels, collaborating with various New York marketing groups, and sponsoring charitable events, Nic Faitos, senior partner of Starbright Floral Design, received Lifetime Achievement honors at the Hotel Experience Awards on Monday, January 29, at the iconic Cipriani Wall Street.
“Am I even old enough to earn such an award?” Faitos said. “I kid, of course. This is a tremendous honor and a humbling experience.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual or association that demonstrates exceptional achievement in their field, in addition to superior contributions to New York City’s hospitality industry. Past recipients include Police Chief Ray Kelly (for cleaning up Times Square and making the city a family-friendly tourist destination) and Whoopi Goldberg (for getting the film industry to shoot scenes in the city).
“Over 200 of the city’s best hoteliers and concierges recommend Starbright,” said Adeline Tafuri Jurecka, publisher of Where IN New York, which hosts the Hotel Excellence Awards. “Nic Faitos continues to set new standards in the floral and decor industry, we can’t think of a better person to honor this year because of how much Starbright Floral Design positively impacts visitors as much as it impacts the city itself.”
When Faitos started Starbright Floral Design in 1994, he decided he would make corporate work his niche. He started out by cold calling hotels from the phone book. These days, his company’s work appears in lobbies of the city’s toniest properties and at star-studded events at Madison Square Garden.
“When the history books write the Starbright story, I will be judged kindly if I remember to always do my best, give everyone I meet a smile, and lead our industry with innovation, creativity, quality, and service,” said Faitos. “I believe that in the next 20 years, Starbright will direct the style and fashion of flora that will be seen in every arena where decor is front and focal.”
To watch Faitos receive the award, click here.