The Arizona Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will present the 34th Annual Chinese Auction Fundraiser & Dinner, celebrating the “Year of the Monkey,” on Friday, June 24, 2016 the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Proceeds from this award winning event will help to support our association’s mission and our continuing efforts to provide quality continuing education and scholarships for those professionals currently in the hospitality industry and those who are pursuing a career in the field.
In addition, a live pledge drive during the event will help support HSMAI’S 2016 “Charity of the Year”. $10,000 was raised for Kitchen on the Street during the 2015 auction. Kitchen on the Street is a faith-based, volunteer driven, nonprofit organization that “turns hunger into hope … one child at a time”. KOS fills the gap – and the stomachs – of children experiencing hunger and poverty. Through partnerships with Arizona schools, KOS provides self-stable, individually portioned meals and snacks for weekend consumption. For many, these “Bags of Hope” become their primary source of food when school is not in session.
HSMAI is a global organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is comprised of nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and chapters worldwide. HSMAI’s mission is to “grow business for hotels and their partners by fueling sales, inspiring marketing and optimizing revenue”.
The 250 member Arizona Chapter was established in 1968 and is the third largest chapter in the U.S. and has been honored with numerous international and local awards. The chapter offers members a variety of benefits including monthly education programs targeted specifically to sales and marketing and revenue management professionals, a variety of networking and fundraising events and community service volunteer opportunities.
The Chinese Auction is a unique fundraiser combining a silent auction with a live auction. Each guest receives a list of items to be sold in a live auction and a paddle with an individualized number. Each guest “bids” on an item by placing a quarter in the bucket placed at the center of each table. An auctioneer travels through the dinner announcing numbers indicated on each guests paddle until a Chinese gong is rung. The number last mentioned before the gong wins the prize. Money is raised through the through the quarters bid on each item by each guest, the silent auction preceding the dinner and a live bidding auction. This unique auction was conceived by the Arizona Chapter and has been adopted by chapters all over the U.S. 350 meeting and hospitality industry members will attend and support the event. This event has been honored with numerous awards including two “Stars of the Industry” awards presented by the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association.
Prizes include golf outings, artwork, gift certificates for goods and services, signed sports memorabilia and weekend getaways to various destinations throughout the U.S., Hawaii and Mexico.
Tickets are available for $60 per person or $575 for a corporate table of ten. Registration deadline is Friday, June 17. For more information, call Joanne at 602-240-5552 – all information and registration is at: www.hsmai-az.org.
