West Bloomfield, Mich. (February 13, 2015) — Saturday Night’s event on February 7th, marked the 99th Annual Trade and Dinner Ball for MIRA.
The event was held in the Diamond Center at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI.
This one-and-only black tie gala featured leaders in the food, beverage & petroleum industries. Dancing and entertainment centered around this year’s theme, which was “Saturday Night Fever”. Colleagues and friends celebrated the strength and vitality of MIRA and the members it serves.
The event included a silent auction and food stations that offered an array of items from Happy’s Pizza to Prairie Farms Ice Cream to UFCW 876 sponsored Coney Dogs, all of which allowed both suppliers and retailers to connect, mingle and enjoy themselves as the new year begins to unfold.
Before dinner, MIRA recognized those members the association had lost over the last year and also honored both the incoming Chairman of the Board, John Denha, and outgoing Chairman, Pat LaVecchia.
As the night continued, St. John Providence Health Systems kept the pace moving as they sponsored Steve Acho and the band, Slight Return, who kept the crowd grooving to the songs of this year’s 70’s theme.
When guests weren’t on the dance floor, they were strutting to the Conifer Insurance sponsored Boogie Heads karaoke room, taking photos on the Faygo sponsored TapSnap machine or enjoying the WorldPay sponsored cognac bar and cigar area, or the Blue Cross Blue Shield sponsored cappuccino station.
The casino tables, sponsored by D&B Grocers, were a huge hit again this year and offered another avenue for some late night socializing.
Other sponsors for the event included Michigan Lottery, Pepsi Beverages, Coca-Cola, DTE Energy, Diageo, US Ice, Lipari, Motown Snack Foods, 7-Up, Sherwood Foods, Beam Suntory, NWS Michigan, Inc., Remy Cointreau USA, Altria, Nestle, Arctic Express, Dairymens, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, Kar’s Nut Products, Meijer, SpartanNash, UHY Advisors, Willingham & Cote and Wolverine Packing Company,
“Some changes were made in our program this year and we noticed it made a tremendous difference,” said Auday Arabo, president and CEO. “However, it was sponsors like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, U.S. Ice, Diageo, D & B Grocers and many others that really made it special.” “We are grateful to all who attended and made this year’s gala a huge success. We appreciate the continued support of MIRA and hope for a bigger and better event next year, which will be our 100th Gala.”
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About MIRA
MIRA is a Michigan-based Trade association representing thousands of independent retailers in Michigan and Ohio.
Media Contact: Vanessa Denha Garmo 248.830.8605/ Vanessa@denhamedia.com or Kris Harris
248.702.8687/Kris@denhamedia.com