GTNF The Golden Leaf Awards Dinner
12th September 2018The Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) is a trade event in its eleventh year organised by the inestimable Elise Rasmussen, publisher of the Tobacco Reporter and Vapor Voice magazines. She leads Women in Tobacco and is also a Liveryman and Assistant to the Court of our Company. The GTNF is organised in a different world city each year and this year it was in London.
Not a person to let an opportunity pass by, Elise thought it would be interesting for the GTNF delegates to experience some City tradition. So, lead by Sheriff Tim Hailes and his Consort, Fiona Adler, a City team was assembled including the Master, Immediate Past Master and Wardens of the Tobacco Pipe Makers to process and open the GTNF The Golden Leaf Awards Dinner which had been arranged in the Livery Hall at Guildhall. The Sheriff and I made speeches to the audience comprised of international business people from all aspects of the tobacco and vaping trades. Between us, our purpose was to introduce the City, the Corporation and our Livery Company.
After a delicious meal, the Awards Ceremony got underway. It was glamorous and delivered in Hollywood Oscars style to celebrate exemplary service, production and innovation in the industry. The evening was sponsored by the Indonesian specialty paper and packaging company BMJ and the Chief Executive, Omar Rahmanadi, presided over the most prestigious awards of the night.
It was an extraordinary evening of celebration for a global industry in full vigour and an elegant blend of all this with some City pomp and tradition. Well done Elise!