Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science

Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale Casino Royale Gala held on October 23, 2010 raised nearly $300,000 to benefit the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Wachovia table. Standing: Carlos Arboleda, Michele Arboleda, Kathryn Dinkin, Jeff Chase, David Guzman, Justin Hilt, Erick Strati.
Sitting: John Smotryski, Christina Kolbjornsen, John Costa , Elizabeth Wicks

Tony Giordano, Katy and Jon Ferrando

Mike Jackson and Alice Lucia

Since construction of the Museum's new EcoDiscovery Center wing prevented the Museum from hosting this year's gala onsite, longtime Museum sponsor Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale graciously hosted the event in their elegant showroom, which was transformed into an elegant James Bond-style casino. The location certainly added to the theme and gave guests a thrilling James Bond/007 experience.

During the event, the Museum honored local business leader Mike Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer of AutoNation, with The Community Leadership Award for his leadership and generosity to the Museum and throughout the community.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, AutoNation is the industry leader throughout the country, whose name we proudly carry on the IMAX® Theater. AutoNation donated the lead gift of $3 million for the Museum's current expansion project and has sponsored numerous films and events since 1996.

Nearly 500 guests reveled in an elegant evening of fine dining, dancing and Las Vegas Style casino games. The evening commenced with the Wachovia Shaken, Not Stirred cocktail reception with Southern Wine & Spirits as the exclusive beverage sponsor. A Champagne Angel suspended from the ceiling poured champagne into guests glasses which created a spectacular 007 greeting. Thierry's Catering impressed guests with scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and a remarkable menu. The event included both silent and live auctions that featured first-class prizes including: a Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe, a cruise in the Galapagos Islands, and a trip to Paris just to name a few.

The emcee for this year's gala was sports director and anchor Steve Shapiro of WSVN Channel 7. The Casino Royale Gala co-chairs included: Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale general manager Tony Giordano, AutoNation vice president of corporate affairs Gale Butler, and Museum trustee and partner at Crowe Horwath Timothy Iszler and wife Elizabeth.

Major sponsors of the Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale Casino Royale Gala included: presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz Fort Lauderdale; Wachovia A Wells Fargo Company; Southern Wine & Spirits; and Sun-Sentinel. VIP table sponsors included: Akerman Senterfitt, AutoNation, Inc., BB&T, Ernst & Young, Annie and Manny Kadre and Rick Case Automotive Group. Select table sponsors included Angelo & Banta, AutoNation, BankAtlantic, Berenfeld Spritzer Shechter & Sheer, Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant, Broward College, Carnival Cruise Lines, City Furniture, Coventry Healthcare, Crowe Horwath, Fisher & Phillips, Florida Marlins, Christine and M. Austin Forman, Gibraltar Bank, Grant Thornton, Greenberg Traurig, Jim Ellis and Dena Murges, JM Family Enterprises, JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Lauderdale Capital, Mack & Associates, J. Garrido & Associates, Metlife, Nancy Gregoire PA, Q-Med, Schlesinger Law, Specialty Automotive Treatments, Stearns Weaver, Steven & Rebecca Stoll and Stiles Corporation. Additional sponsors included: Huizenga Family Foundation, Richard Ivers, PA, Lochrie & Chakas, RIC Executive Search, Ronald Book PA, Leo Goodwin Foundation, Edmonds.com and Paul Salarullo. Event partners include City & Shore Magazine, Levinson Jewelers, American Airlines and MOR Printing.