Qatar Airways Philadelphia Launch Gala

The Ritz-Carlton

From left: Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and Mayor Michael Nutter. “Opening up direct international routes such as this from Philadelphia is important to the economy," said the mayor, "bringing as it does improved business and tourism.”

From left: Rebecca Jelfo, regional marketing manager, Americas, for Qatar Airways, and Tracy Reddy, manager of events and exhibitions for Qatar Airways. These women were responsible for the amazing transformation of the Ritz-Carlton, clearing out 10 Arts to create a beautiful cocktail area and spacious red carpet area. The entrance to the ballroom was draped in luxurious fabric, with photos depicting flying scenes from Qatar Airlines, from their spacious quarters to the locations they fly to.

Kevin Crawley, professional lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings, and Marilyn Russell, morning show host for 95.7 Ben FM.

From left: Jane Golden, executive director Mural Arts (whose Wall Ball is Thursday, May 29th, at Union Transfer, honoring M. Night Shyamalan and others) and celebrity chef Hope Cohen.

From left: Erik Newman, Mary Dougherty of Nicole Miller Philadelphia, Jim Cuorato, president and CEO of the Independence Visitor Center, and John Saler, chairman of the Philadelphia International Airport.

From left: Mayor Michael Nutter, Beverly May, David Lipson of Philadelphia Magazine and Chris May of CBS3.

From left: Brianna Alcorn, Lisa Gaudio, Pauline Skinner and Eliana Papadakis.

From left: Pandora Woods and councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.

Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz and Sherry Auprach.

From left: Jeff Guaracino, chief strategy and communications officer, Atlantic Alliance, Liza Cartmell, president, Atlantic Alliance and Paul Zoubek.

Herbert Benson and Romona Riscoe Benson, PECO's manager of corporate relations, make their way into the ballroom.

From left: Lauren Colabelli, Sabrina Tamburino Thorne and Tempa Berish.

Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities, and Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce.

From left: Lauren Colabelli, Nigel Richards, Mike Jerrick of Fox29, and Nicole Cashman of Cashman and Associates.

From left: Janet E. Guthart, associate vice president for protocol and special events, Stephanie Esposito, HHM, Yuhanis Sydney, HIFI Corp, and Rebecca Weidensaul, associate dean of students at Drexel.

From left: Ed Grose of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, Olvia Brown, GM of the Ritz-Carlton, Danielle Cohn, Discover PHL, Nancy J. Gilboy, president and CEO of IVC, Greg Stafford, GM at Hilton Inn at Penn and head of the Hotel Association.

Boyz II Men performed many of their popular songs.

From left: Emcee Maria Papadakis announces the winning names for roundtrip tickets on Qatar Airways. Six tickets were awarded in all, with Qatar Airways CEO, his excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, pulling business cards out of a bowl. Marina Katz and Nigel Richards both won tickets, Bart Vos, SVP Americas, Qatar Airways (center) and Khansac, a Quatar Airways stewardess (right).

Chef Nicholas Elmi and Kristen Elmi, both of Laurel.

A meet and greet with the Boyz II Men was held after the show. From left: Shawn Stockman, Mandy Skversky, Nathan Morris, Melissa McGee and Ali Gorman and Wanya Morris.