Andrea Lachmann said she will stick to networking and let her husband, Brian, do the gambling when they attend next Saturday’s big fundraiser for The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce.
Local business owners will have a chance to test their luck while making new – and maintaining current – connections at the chamber’s 63rd Annual Gala and Auction, “Casino Classique de Monaco,” Feb. 28.
The casino-themed extravaganza, which will be held at The Hollywood Schoolhouse in the middle of Woodinville wine country, begins at 6 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m.
Andrea, assistant property manager for PS Business Parks and a member of the gala and auction planning committee, said she isn’t much of a gambler, but said “my husband is there to make up for that. He will do the gambling and the donating and I will do the mixing and mingling.”
Attendees of the event will be given fake money to gamble with and those who still have money by the end of the evening can buy raffle tickets and win donated prizes from local businesses, including a two-night, three-day getaway. For those who gamble and lose their money right away, they can get more “funny money” with a donation to the chamber, according to planning committee member Barbara Gordon.
Gordon, the assistant vice president and financial center manager of Venture Bank, said the point of the event is to have some “interactive” fun, while networking with other business owners and clients.
“It should be a fun and lively event,” she said. “We’re excited.”
A Mediteranean buffet will be ready shortly after the start of the event. A wine toss and three gaming tables will be open early in the event and then the rest of the gaming tables will open, according to Candace Carlson, chair of the planning committee. A Silent Auction, along with a Live Auction will also be part of the festivities. Then a drawing for raffle tickets, earned through gaming, will conclude the evening.
Next Saturday’s event is the first of two annual major fundraisers put on by the chamber. The Gala and Golf Tournament, the other big fundraiser, will be held Aug. 24 at the Bear Creek Golf and Country Club.
“They create a lot of revenue in addition to membership,” Carlson said of the two big fundraisers. “It’s also a networking opportunity.”
The Chamber, which does a lot of legislative lobbying and collaboration with the other 11 Eastside chambers, is a vital part of the community, Carlson said. Carlson added that the gala and auction events helps keep the chamber running strong, which ultimately improves the overall business climate of Redmond.
Sponsors include Microsoft, Venture Bank, Univar, PS Business Parks, Sterling Savings Bank, Fairwinds, Emerald Heights, Evergreen Healthcare, Group Health and Nintendo of America.
63rd Annual Gala and Auction
When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 6-10 p.m.
Where: The Hollywood Schoolhouse, 14810 NE 145th Street, Woodinville
Tickets: $150 per person or $1,100 for a corporate table.
Food by: Collector’s Café
Entertainment by: West Coast Entertainment
More information: (425)-885-4014 or go to www.redmondchamber.org
