2012 Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale
MAD for MODS Gala breaks Museum’s fundraising record.
Gala honored Keith and Doreen Koenig for their service to the Museum and community.
"The Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale MAD for MODS Gala held Saturday, November 3, 2012, was the Museum’s most successful gala in the event’s history and raised over $500,000 to benefit the Museum of Discovery and Science."
Kim Cavendish - President and CEO, Museum of Discovery and Science
The celebration, which honored Keith and Doreen Koenig for their decades of outstanding generosity and service to the Museum and to the community, was also a testament to the community’s appreciation and support for the Museum.
Following the lead of honorees Mr. and Mrs. Koenig, the event’s co-chairs Tom Angelo of Angelo & Banta; Jon Ferrando of AutoNation; Tony Giordano of Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale; and Jason Williams of Wells Fargo rallied a distinguished list of business and community leaders who were happy to show their support for the Museum. Through underwriting, sponsorships and attendance, the 2012 MAD for MODS Gala was definitely south Florida’s "must attend" event.
"Our goal was to smash the record for net proceeds raised for the Museum at a gala, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees and my fellow co-chairs, I am very proud we accomplished that and made this the most financially successful Gala in the history of the Museum."
Jon Ferrando - Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Museum of Discovery and Science
The MAD for MODS theme was chosen to reflect the popular television series, Mad Men, and the Gala celebrated the good times in South Florida, circa 1960. The festivities began at 6:00 p.m. with the Wells Fargo Cocktail Reception in the museum’s new EcoDiscovery Center and included luscious hors d'oeuvres and an open bar generously provided by Southern Wine & Spirits. The reception was accompanied by a unique and impressive Silent Auction, including a Wine Cellar Auction, which was a unique addition to the event.
After cocktails, guests entered a specially-designed tent and were greeted by "Marilyn Monroe" before being serenaded by the Atlantic City Boys and welcomed by Louis Aguirre, anchor of WSVN’s DECO DRIVE. Awaiting them was an over-the-top dining experience specifically designed by Fort Lauderdale’s own, Chef Angelo Elia of the exquisite Casa D’Angelo, in combination with A. Thierry’s Catering.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have had a Sold-Out event that raised over $500,000 to benefit the Museum on an evening where we honored Keith and Doreen Koenig. This was a record evening for us and we look forward to doing it again next year."
Tom Angelo - Gala Co-Chair and Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Museum of Discovery and Science
All proceeds benefit the Museum of Discovery and Science. Since 1977, the Museum of Discovery and Science has been a vital educational resource for the south Florida community. Through hands-on exhibits, engaging educational programs, films and a live animal collection, the Museum serves over 450,000 visitors each year and is the primary destination for school field trips in Broward County.
The dinner and dancing portion of the gala was held in a tent in the Museum’s backyard, site of the future MODS Science Park. Scheduled to open in 2015, the approximately 30,000 square foot Science Park facing Broward Boulevard will complete the Museum’s second and final phase of expansion that began with the EcoDiscovery Center opening in November of 2011. This new phase will also include some essential capital renovations to the current 20-year-old building as well as a digital upgrade of the AutoNation® IMAX Theater.
