‘Renaissance of Downtown Las Vegas’ the theme for 18th annual event Aug. 17
LAS VEGAS – Nearly 11 years ago, First Friday sprung up near the intersection of East Colorado Avenue and South Casino Center Boulevard and, over the years, brought thousands of residents and visitors to the Arts District and Downtown Las Vegas – places they probably wouldn’t have expected to spend a Friday evening. The 18th annual Nevada Broadcasters Association (NBA) gala, held Saturday, Aug. 17, will focus on the renaissance of Downtown Las Vegas with a First Friday-themed cocktail reception and silent auction. During the gala, Mayor Carolyn Goodman and former Mayor Oscar Goodman will be recognized with the association’s Pinnacle Award for their vision and work to revitalize downtown.
“The renaissance all started with the Premium Outlet Mall and the World Market Center, which led to the First Friday, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and The Smith Center. It has been a very important decade for Downtown Las Vegas, and the Goodmans have had a hand in it all,” said Bob Fisher, Nevada Broadcasters Association CEO. “It is the dream that keeps on giving. The new City Hall, the Mob Museum, Neon Museum, refurbished hotels, great new restaurants, the arrival of Zappos and the expansion of Fremont Street East – they’re all just the tip of the iceberg. More great things are coming to downtown, but we wanted to stop and reflect on the amazing accomplishments that have already taken place.”
The theme of the gala fits with the fast-paced atmosphere of the event. The public is encouraged to attend and rub elbows with their favorite radio and television broadcasters. Tickets are available to the public as well as gala sponsorships and ad space to congratulate the Goodmans and other honorees. All can be purchased by calling the NBA office at 702-794-4994. There also will be a 100-page souvenir program journal published for the event.
The reception, held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., will celebrate First Friday and Downtown Las Vegas with live artists and silent auction, using GiveSmart technology, where participants from throughout the state can bid using their smartphones or tablets. All funds raised through auctions will benefit the Tony and Linda Bonnici Broadcast/Communications Scholarship, which aides in the higher education of promising Nevada broadcast students and includes a guaranteed internship opportunity.
“The gala is taking on this First Friday vibe where art and appreciation meet in the middle where a lot of fun and reflection can happen,” Fisher added. “We are so excited to be able to feature a unique blend of some of Las Vegas’ newest and most respected artists, it’s going to be quite an evening.”
The gala also will include the presentation of the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Tom Humm, vice president and market manager for the Beasley Group, as well as the Community Achievement Award to KLAS-TV I-TEAM. The 40-member Class of 2013 will be inducted to the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, and the association will recognize Steve Schorr of Cox Communications, Colin Cowherd of ESPN Sports, Ed Henry of Fox News Channel and Reno’s KOLO-TV, Channel 8, which celebrates 60 years in broadcasting this year.
The evening will conclude with dessert, champagne toast and a performance by Frankie Moreno and his band.
Individual tickets to the gala are $100 and $1,000 for a table of 10. The event is open to all members of the public who want to purchase a ticket. To reserve seats, call the Nevada Broadcasters Association at 702-794-4994.
Established in 1961, the Nevada Broadcasters Association is dedicated to protecting, promoting, enhancing and strengthening Nevada’s broadcast industry to more effectively serve the public.
As the eyes and ears of Nevada, NBA serves as an information resource for Nevada’s radio and television broadcast stations, addressing questions and concerns. The organization also responds to questions and concerns from the public, providing a better understanding of the role broadcasters play in the community.
A lobbying organization, NBA seeks to educate Nevada’s local, state and federal officials and other community leaders about the issues, concerns and challenges broadcasters face and regularly partners with the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations on initiatives. The NBA also serves as Nevada’s voice for Homeland Security, Public Warning and Nevada’s Voice for AMBER Alert.
For additional information, visit www.nbagala.com. To receive an invitation to the event, call the NBA office at 702-794-4994.