Howard Levitt, president of Tourneau, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 Award in the Retail Consumer Products category in the Metropolitan New York Area. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses.

Levitt was selected by an independent panel of judges and the award was received the award at an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 20th anniversary gala event at the New York Marriott Marquis on June 28. 

In recent years, Tourneau has experienced tremendous growth In addition to its real estate portfolio, which includes the world’s largest watch store, Tourneau introduced licensing programs adding extension products to its own brand of Swiss made and designed watch collections. In 2004, Tourneau introduced its first stores outside of the US, opening in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and British Virgin Islands in a joint venture with Dutyfree Holdings Inc

On March 31, Tourneau announced an agreement with Peace Mark (Holdings) Ltd. and International Watch Group to form a joint venture company called Peace Mark Tourneau (Holdings) Ltd. This new company will open 30 luxury watch stores under the Tourneau name in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan within the next five years. Future plans include the opening of 14 new stores by the end of 2006, adding to its goal of 100 brand stores nationwide.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

As a Metropolitan New York Area winner, Levitt is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 national program, which will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., Nov. 18. The national award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

JCK