Ivanka Trump Visits The Magnificent Mile

I am happy to report that Ivanka Trump’s appearance with GNMAA members and guests at our March 20, 2008, Quarterly Membership Luncheon was a terrific success. A record 455 people attended the event to hear John Carroll, publisher of Modern Luxury’s family of fashion magazines, interview Ms. Trump on stage.

Ms. Trump was very easy to host. First, her staff appeared interested in what GNMAA wanted to get out of her appearance, not how this could help The Trump Organization. Arrangements were made easily and she was confirmed for the appearance. She arrived at the Drake Hotel on time and was very patient about being introduced to everyone who happened to be standing at the entrance of the hotel. This included John Quinn, Senior Vice President, Chase, who was on his cell phone and I suspect a little surprised to see the fellow New Yorker get out of her car.

Ms. Trump did an excellent job of meeting as many people as she could at the VIP Reception. These were mostly people who have contributed to the fund for planting flowers in the median planters on Michigan Avenue, members of GNMAA’s Cornerstone Council, and those on the GNMAA Administration Committee.

She took her seat at the luncheon next to Alderman Brendan Reilly and kept us entertained with “Trump stories.” I thought about asking her about Rossano Rubicondi, the Italian actor who is roughly Ms. Trump’s age and will be marrying her mother Ivana on April 12, but better judgment prevailed. The conversation around the table was very enjoyable.

Once she and John Carroll took to the stage, Ms. Trump clearly demonstrated her enthusiasm for the real estate business and, more specifically, the Trump project in Chicago. All of those in leadership at GNMAA appreciate her willingness to be at the event and support our organization.