The Redmond Marriott Town Center will be transformed into a red-carpet extravaganza Feb. 6 when the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce will hold its 64th Annual Gala and Auction.
This year’s big fundraiser, called “Lights, Camera, Auction,” will have a Hollywood theme, complete with a red carpet entrance and pictures with life-size, cardboard-cutout Hollywood stars, like Luke Skywalker and Jack Sparrow. The night will also include a formal dinner and a live auction, led by auctioneer extrodinaire/actor Dennis Bateman of Bellevue-based Northwest Benefit Auctions.
“It’s always my goal to provide an entertaining evening for patrons and I’ve very excited about the Redmond Chamber’s Hollywood theme – it’s right up my alley,” said Bateman, who has played roles in several movies, including “Men of Honor,” “Body Language,” and “Take My Advice.” “I expect this auction to be a lot of fun — everybody loves the movies. In addition, the money we raise will directly benefit Redmond businesses and thereby, the city at large.”
Guests, who are encouraged to dress like movie stars, can walk the red carpet into the side entrance of the Marriott where a photographer will be snapping “glamour” shots.
“That sets an upbeat tone right from the get-go,” said Andrea Lachmann, a member of the gala and auction planning committee and assistant property manager for PS Business Parks. “It’s going to be a glamorous evening out.”
The red carpet will ready for guests at 5:30 p.m. and Marriott will provide a three-course, sit-down meal — with choices of seared filet of beef, herb roasted halibut or Meritage chicken — at 7 p.m. The live auction will start at 8 p.m., featuring all kinds of items, including a stay at Willows Lodge, a hot air balloon ride, artwork, jewelry and wine baskets. In addition, there will be a silent auction throughout the night.
“We’re expecting this to be one of the best auctions in a long time,” said Traci Tenhulzen, chair of the planning committee and office manager for Tenhulzen Remodeling Inc. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
There will be several different cardboard cutout stars set up and the stars will be raffled off at the end of the night, Tenhulzen said.
While the event will be packed with Hollywood fun, the main focus of the event is business networking, Lachmann said.
“The focus is way more on the networking than anything else,” she said. “The agenda of the evening is to get people out of their seats, out mingling around.”
Next month’s event is the first of two annual major fundraisers put on by the chamber. The Gala and Golf Tournament is the other big fundraiser, held during the summer.
“This auction is the number one fundraiser for the chamber,” Tenhulzen said. “It’s extremely important we support the chamber and go to the gala.”
Sponsors include Evergreen Healthcare, Microsoft, Corp., PS Business Parks, Group Health, Tenhulzen Remodeling, Emerald Heights, PSE, Falco Sult & Co., Nintendo, Quality Business Systems, The Driftmier Architects and Columbia Bank.
64th Annual Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Gala & Auction
• When: Saturday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Redmond Marriott Town Center, 7401 164th Ave. NE
• Tickets: $160 per person, $2000 for corporate table (eight seats)
• More information: (425) 885-4014 or visit www.redmondchamber.org
