Reconnecting with Old Friends at the Chairman’s Dinner
By Epiphany Communications & Coaching*
On a beautiful Michigan evening overlooking the golf course, at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield, more than 130 people gathered for MIRA’s Annual Chairman’s Dinner. While Saxophonist Kareem Kamal’s music played in the background and Tap Snap photography snapped photos of the event, atendees scattered throughout the room chatting about old times and current events.
The event included a cocktail hour, dinner, silent auction, live entertainment, photo booth and a short program. The night was topped off with cocktails and dessert.
Along with the association’s chairman Bobby Hesano, 13 past chairmen gathered to celebrate the association’s 113-year history and reminisce about MIRA’s storied past. “This is about unity,” said Hesano. “We are here to re-connect and share ideas.”
“One of our goals is unifying our association,” said Hesano. “We want to elevate our influence in the industry through our chairman’s position and through the Board of Governors. This dinner is part of that goal. We have been blessed with a vast array of talent that dates to the inception of this association.”
Longtime Detroit TV Personality, Jason Carr, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. “I grew up in Plymouth/Canton and I have been a strong proponent of small businesses, mom and pop shops and independent retailers,” he said. “Growing up, my family shopped at independently owned retail businesses. When I was a kid, my dream was to have a BMX bike and my parents went to this little bike shop independently owned and bought me my bike. My family has always been consumers of local products. My grandfather’s home was always stocked with Faygo Red Pop.”
Carr is the host of the popular livestream podcasts Jason Carr Drive! and OVERdrive. He recently interviewed MIRA President and CEO, Bill Wild, during his show from Johnny Pomodoro’s Fresh Market, a MIRA member.
Past chairmen who attended included Jerry Yono, Edward Acho, Philip Kassa, Amir Al-Naimi, Bill Viviano, Mark Karmo, Nabby Yono, Sam Dallo, Ronnie Jamil, Chris Zebari, Joe Bellino, Cliff Denha and John Denha. “It’s so great to be here tonight and catching up with old friends,” said Jamil. “I am glad the association organized this event. It is a wonderful event.”
During the dinner Wild, like Hesano, noted MIRA’s deep-rooted history that includes its relationship with business and government leaders, a tradition that continues today. He recognized several who attended the event including elected leaders: Sen. Joe Bellino Jr. (who was also a former MIRA chairman), Rep. Alabas Farhat, Rep. Karen Whitsett, Rep. Mike Mueller, Sen. Mike Webber, Sen. Sylvia Santana, and former Rep. Harvey Santana.
On each table were copies of the Bottom Line issue featuring the cover story about current Board of Governors Chairman, Bobby Hesano. Also, there was information about upcoming MIRA events.
Throughout the event, several board members shared their favorite memories of the association. See Ask the Member on page 27.
Several sponsors donated valuable items to the silent auction including a Shinola watch donated by Walters Market, two sets of four Tiger tickets and parking passes donated by D&B Grocers, 1 set of Tiger Tickets and parking pass donated by Proximo Spirits, who also donated a Titleist Golf Bag. Casa Décor donated a $1,000 gift certificate and a Mackenzie Childs Tea Kettle. Tito’s Homemade Vodka donated a cooler and Fox Hills Golf Course donated a golf foursome. Dash Jewelers donated a 14k white and yellow gold pendant necklace and a beautiful conversational piece of a blown glass dragon-liquor was on the auction display.
Sponsors of the event also included Michigan Lottery, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Proximo Spirits, Borden Dairy, Conifer Insurance and Kassab Law Group P.C. sponsored the Valet.
*Writers with Epiphany Communications & Coaching are content creators for Bottom Line.