Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Search Foundation Raises over $25,000 at EventWorld 2009



The SEARCH Foundation hosted its 2nd annual fundraiser at the ISES EventWorld. The SEARCH Foundation supports event professionals confronted with a catastrophic occurrence. An estimated 200 guests attended the event held at the San Francisco Design Center.

The event was hosted by the Napa-Sonoma and Northern California Chapters of ISES. Planner of the event and SEARCH Foundation Board member Sasha Souza said, "Over 60 sponsors lined up to help us help others. The event, themed "A Perfect Pairing," highlighted eleven of the Bay Area’s top wineries and caterers for an exquisite culinary experience. Each tasting area was beautifully decorated with local floral designers, and the multi-level Design Center gave everyone a bird’s eye view of the entire event."


The advance showing of the new SEARCH Foundation video was a highlight of the evening. After viewing the sneak preview of the video explaining the mission and featuring some of the recipients who tell their heartfelt stories, David Merrell of AOO Events, Los Angeles, CA said: "It is powerfully moving, and a great reminder of why we ALL need SEARCH."


Many silent auction items were generously donated by industry sponsors, and by using an exciting new electronic bidding technology developed by IML, an Audience Response system. Guests were delighted that they could enjoy the event while networking, dancing, and bid on the hand-held bidding machines from anywhere in the venue, while watching the accumulated bids on the large screen. "Seeing the visual representation of a champagne glass on the big screen, filling up as live pledging was done using this new technology was exhilarating," said SEARCH Foundation Chairman Larry Green. "It definitely helped us raise more funds."


During this incredible evening, the most important perfect pairing was the SEARCH Foundation and the many attendees who gave generously to the cause. Whether it was by pledging money, bidding on an auction item or even just attending the event, all guests helped make a difference in the lives of event professionals confronted with a catastrophic occurrence.


SEARCH would like to thank the following sponsors: Audio Art AV, 9 Catering Services, Alisha + Brook Photographers, Artesa Winery, Artisan Production Group, Associated Entertainment Consultants, Barbara Llewellyn Catering & Events, Barbara Vakassian Florals, Blueprint Studios, Blue Water Party Rentals, Chateau Felice Winery, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Chimney Rock Winery, CORT Event Furnishings. Denon & Doyle Entertainment, Donut du Jour, Dragonfly Floral, Everything Audio Visual, Feast Catering, Flaxx Floral Design, Fleur de Vie, Go West Events & Multimedia, Gary Jones Presents…, Got Light, Grapevine Catering. Gregangelo & Velocity Arts & Entertainment, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, HopMonk Tavern, IML Audience Response, ISES Napa-Sonoma, ISES Northern California, Julie Stevens Design, Just Cake, La Bonne Cuisine, La Tavola Fine Linens, Landmark Vineyards, Living Room Events, Mandy Scott Flowers, Marshall Entertainment Group, Masterpiece, McCall’s Catering, McCall’s Floral, Method42, Michael Daigian Design, Miraglia Catering, MOSS Inc., Nancy Liu Chin Designs, Napa Valley StemTrends, Ornamento, Park Avenue Catering, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, Pure Luxury Transportation, Ravenswood Winery, Rutherford Hill Winery, San Francisco Design Center, Sasha Souza Events, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Signature Hospitality Group, Soulflower Floral Design, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Thomas John Events, and Violetta.
For more information, and to donate, go to www.searchfoundation.org.
SEARCH Foundation is a not-for-profit 501C3 charity that provides assistance to event professionals during times of crisis.


For more information visit www.searchfoundation.org 877-777-9340


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