Annual Trade Dinner & Ball

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Annual Trade Dinner & Ball

MIRA’S Annual Trade Dinner & Ball

If you are interested in the 2021 event, please call 1-800-666-6233.
Event coordinators: Ricki Wines, rwines@miramw.org and
Andrea Hesano, ahesano@miramw.org.

2020 Sponsors

2020 Gala Photos

2020 Event Recap

104 Years of Celebrating the Association

This year marks the 110-year anniversary of the association’s inception having started out as the Meat Cutters Association and evolving into the Midwest Independent Retailer’s Association (MIRA). A mere six years after becoming an organized group in 1910, the members celebrated with an annual party. The Trade Dinner & Ball has attracted more than a thousand people to the annual event over the years taking place at venues all over Southeast Michigan.

This year’s event took place at The Mirage in Sterling Heights on Saturday January 25th. President and CEO Auday Arabo welcomed everyone to the event. “We are here today to celebrate the members,” said Arabo. “We purposely designed this night to be about the party and not the program. It is not about hearing elected officials speak, it is about all of you enjoying the night.”

Michael Cavin, Sales Manager of RNDC for Michigan, led the crowd in the Pledge of the Allegiance and National Anthem while Jim Evans from Bordan Dairy offered the night’s Invocation. There was also a special tribute to the sponsors. During dinner and throughout the night, The Simone Vitale Band sponsored by UNFI Midwest Region, performed while people danced. Gaming tables for the “Casino Night” theme opened at 9:30 p.m. and door prizes were announced at 11:30 p.m.

“It is so great to see people I don’t get to see throughout the year. The association always puts on a fun party. I truly enjoy mingling with everyone, “said Fyrial Yono, with husband and long-time MIRA board member, Jerry Yono. Even though Yono sold his six stores in Detroit many years ago, he is still passionate about the industry. “I love coming here and talking to everyone and still being part of the industry,” said Jerry Yono.

Another long-time advocate of MIRA is former chairman Nabby Yono “It is a way to see people in the industry and interact with them. Sometimes you speak with them on the phone or via email and here you get to see them in person,” he said.

Cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres started the night with shrimp donated by Lipari Foods. The cappuccino station with stylish and sophisticated gourmet coffee was sponsored by Oscar W. Larson Co. The cigar patio with premium cigars was sponsored by Nestle. The dessert station with a variety of sweets was sponsored by Lipari Foods. The donut bar featuring Detroit Mini Donuts after dinner was sponsored by Altria Client Services. Green-screen photos for onsite pictures with your guest or group was sponsored by Kroger. The ice cream Station featuring an array of flavors from Ashby’s Sterling and was sponsored by Prairie Farms Dairy Co. The gaming tables were sponsored by D&B Grocers Wholesale. The potato chip display offering a variety of chips was sponsored by Frito Lay. Step & repeat photos offering a red-carpet pose was sponsored by Faygo/Sundance. Valet & coat check were sponsored by Ascension and the wine and cheese Bar was sponsored by Great Lake Wine & Spirits.

Even though we’re not affected by the meat labeling law because we’re small and everything comes directly from the farmer, we rely on the information MIRA provides and how much they try to help small businesses,” “We appreciate the programs, too, but the way they work to keep us updated and protect us from taxes and regulations is the most important.

Mike EnsingVan Ball's Prime Beef

The programs they have right now with the rebates and the different things you can get from many vendors help us out a lot. We’re getting rebates from Sherwood, D&B Grocers, and others; there’s quite a few companies we are getting rebates from that we never did before, and we’re dealing with them now because of the rebates.

Nick KiziFamily Fair Supermarket

My dad has been a member of MIRA for a very long time. All of his stores are members, and it’s a great organization. I feel its programs will be very helpful to its members as the organization keeps growing.

Jacob GarmoLavish Vodka Cocktail

It’s very important to be part of the industry you serve. MIRA is an important organization, and being part of a great team gives us the voice to fight for what we believe in, and the power to know we are being treated fairly. Unity is strength, and the more members we have, the stronger we become.

Frank AyarWalters Shopping Place

I believe in the effectiveness and spirit of the staff and members of this organization. I recommend that all members read the MIRA mission statement to get a sense of how important it is for everyone to promote membership.

Paul ElhindiCorner Market, Lyndhurst OH

We take advantage of a lot of the beverage and meat programs MIRA provides. They make us stronger. Without these programs, as a single operator, you have no voice, but when MIRA negotiates for you, now you’re a voice of thousands.

Sam ShinaBanner Supermarket