Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Oh, What a Night!

I'm not sure if the gowns and tuxedos had anything to do with it, but there was a festive feel in the air at the UN Women for Peace Gala Benefit. People were celebrating, the reception was packed and the silent auction beat expectations. All in all, over $100,000 was raised and will go towards scholarships at the University For Peace in Costa Rica.

Committee members solicited items for the silent auction, including this designer dress by Reem Acra and painting of Iowa by Joseph Lauer, whose work was recently purchased by the art counsel of the White House.

Volunteers solicted bids throughout the evening, resulting in almost $15,000 raised from the silent auction alone.

Anna Birgis-Hannesson, President of UN Women for Peace and wife of the Ambassador from Iceland, welcomed the crowd using a sound system donated by Scharff Weisberg AV.

Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of the UN Secretary General, presented the UN Women for Peace Recognition Award to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams in front of the 180 guests.
Although I was only called in to work on the event for two weeks, the whirlwind pace helped relationships with the committee members develop quickly.

It was also great to have my "staff" of some of the best event planners I know on hand to help with check-in, VIPs and the silent auction. Thanks, ladies!

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