The event opened with Glykeria, one of Greece's biggest-selling female vocalists singing an emotional song called "Diaspora" that told of the trials and tribulations of immigrants leaving the mother country for new lands. In the background, a specially produced video rolled on a giant screen that showed rare archival footage and images relevant to the song, including a stunning 4-second clip of Greek immigrants crossing themselves and kissing the ground with the Statue of Liberty in the background.

Watch the opening video here: Diaspora


"There wasn't a dry eye in the theater," noted Melina Kanakaredes, who served the event as the Honorary Co-Chair, along with internationally acclaimed fashion designer John Varvatos, both of whom addressed the crowd and spoke of their dedication to the Greek America Foundation.

What followed was a well-orchestrated show, complete with laughing and crying, and exciting graphic elements and various multi-media on screen that made one feel that they were at a Hollywood awards show, led by Chicago’s own Emmy Award winning television newscaster Anna Davlantes from NBC5.



Each award was presented by individuals who were relevant to the category that they were presenting and were themselves, important people in their own fields. The presenters each added their own personal stories to their opening remarks that further enhanced the evening’s program.



The Business & Entrepreneurism Award was won by Boston-based businessman George Sakellaris, known as the leader of the "Green revolution" in this country. His company, Ameresco, is the largest independent provider of renewable energy solutions in the country. This award was presented by Dennis Malamatinas, Chief Executive Officer of Marfin Investment Group of Greece, who recalled his days as a student at the University of Chicago many years earlier before going on to lead some of the world’s largest companies, like Burger King.



The Arts & Culture Award was won by Harry Mark Petrakis, the Indiana-based author of dozens of books, including "Shepherd of the Shadows," the recent sequel to a popular 1970s book about the Greek Revolution of 1821. This award was presented by New York native Kalomira Sarantis, winner of Greece's "Fame Story" reality talent show and finalist in the 2008 Eurovision Song Competition. In his acceptance remarks, the octogenarian made the audience laugh, reminding them that “too much praise during one’s life leaves little for one’s eulogy."



Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Films presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Oscar winning actress Olympia Dukakis. In an emotional speech which recalled the struggles of her parents to raise her in a working class Greek neighborhood of Lowell, Massachusetts, the actress cried openly while she thanked her parents for their sacrifices.

The Athletics Award was awarded to ultra-marathon man endurance runner and best-selling author Dean Karnazes who bolted to the stage in his tuxedo and running shoes to share his inspirational story. This award was presented by U.S. Olympian diver Christina Loukas.

The Education and Academia Award was awarded posthumously to the late Dr. Constantine Papadakis, who transformed Drexel University in Philadelphia into a global leader in research and education. That award was presented by Dr. David Horner,  President of the American College of Greece and was accepted by Maria Papadakis on behalf of her late father.

On hand to accept the award for the Promotion of Hellenism was Carlos Picon, Curator in Charge at the famed Greek Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which showcase one of the world’s most important collections of Greek antiquities and welcome millions of people annually. This award was presented by Oscar winning filmmaker and HBO President Kary Antholis.

Replicating a moment from their recent film “My Life in Ruins” Nia Vardalos joined Greek actor Alexis Georgoulis on stage to present the Performing Arts Gabby Award to television actress Melina Kanakaredes, who was overcome with emotion when speaking about the importance of receiving an award that was bestowed upon her by her own people.

Brothers Mike and Tom from the politically connected Manatos family of Washington DC presented the Politics Award to hometown favorite Alexi Giannoulias. The Illinois State Treasurer received a rousing round of applause as he was introduced as a potential candidate for the United States Senate and the rising star of U.S. politics.

Gregory Pappas, Gabby Awards founder and publisher of Greek America Magazine, the host of the event, presented the Gabby Award in Philanthropy, the final award of the evening, to Pittsburgh businessman John Rangos, whose philanthropic outreach approaches $100 million to dozens of universities, institutions, hospitals and research centers throughout the nation. On hand to accept the award on his behalf were his grandchildren Nicholas and Virginia Rangos, symbolic of the passing of the torch to the next generation.



The awards show included interesting sponsor messages and vivid images throughout the evening on a giant screen that served as a backdrop for the awards show. Video spots included messages from Chicago 2016, the organization hoping to win the 2016 Summer Games and the American College of Greece. The Costa Navarino resort, which offered all Gabby Awards guests a certificate worth one free room night, also gave attendees a glimpse into the new resort in southwestern Greece that they are opening next year.


The awards show closed with a message by Gregory Pappas, publisher of Greek America Magazine and creator of the Gabby Awards concept, during which he thanked all of the people and companies involved, as well as the dozens of volunteers who served the committee so tirelessly.

The emotional evening closed with a montage of Hollywood films that featured Greek song and dance including Never on a Sunday and Zorba the Greek on the giant screen, followed by a ten-minute sing-along with Glykeria and Kostas Karafotis, with a video montage in the background produced by the Greek National Tourist Organization and the Greek Ministry of Tourism, which featured stunning imagery of Greece while the two singers and the crowd of 1200 people sang traditional songs in anticipation of the After Party that would follow next door in the Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom.

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