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GEI Luncheon in honor of Ms. Pamela Fiori

Pamela Fiori made publishing history in May 1993, when she became the first woman to be named editor in chief of Town & Country, America’s oldest continuously published general-interest magazine (it dates back to 1846). Fiori is an innovator in the magazine industry and has brought her expertise and passionate understanding of style to Town & Country.

Fiori revitalized Town & Country by expanding the boundaries of the magazine to include a greater diversity of topics, features, voices and columns. In addition to her responsibilities as editor, Fiori frequently writes for the magazine. T&C’s readers have responded favorably to the editorial transformation; newsstand sales have increased 44 percent and advertising pages have almost tripled under her leadership.

 Prior to Town & Country, Fiori was widely credited with the success of American Express Publishing’s Travel & Leisure.  She joined Travel & Leisure as an associate editor in 1971 and by 1975 had ascended to the rank of editor in chief.  During her 14-year tenure, the magazine became the number-one travel publication worldwide, and in 1989 she earned the position of executive vice-president and editorial director at American Express Publishing Corporation.  In her expanded role, Fiori oversaw all editorial operations for American Express Publishing magazines at that time, including Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine and Departures.

Fiori’s many industry honors reflect her professional achievements.  She was presented with France’s highest civic honor, the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite, in 1985.  In 1996, Fiori received the National Italian American Foundation’s Award for Special Achievement in Business and was also the recipient of the 1998 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  In 2001, she was recognized by the Italian Trade Commission for her work promoting tourism in Italy. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the East Side House Settlement and a member of the Board of Trustees of Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as serving on its executive committee.