TWG Celebrates the Military at PenFed Foundation’s 2013 Night of Heroes Gala

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Food and Beverage, Fundraising, Production, Washington DC and tagged with Event Planning, Night of Heroes Gala, PenFed, The Webster Group 06/14/2013

On Thursday, May 23, 2013, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation) welcomed 464 guests to The Ritz-Carlton for an elegant military black-tie gala. In total, $866,000 was raised in sponsorships, ticket sales, silent and live auctions, Fund-A-Need and donations. The Webster Group was pleased to continue working with the PenFed Foundation for the fourth year to provide strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and production support for this year’s gala, which honored the Department of Veterans Affairs and individuals who support financial literacy in military and veteran families.

The Armed Forces Color Guard stand at attention as recording 
artist Josh Gracin performs the National Anthem

The PenFed Foundation, a national charity that is “working to meet unmet needs of the military personnel and their families in the areas of financial literacy, housing and support for the wounded” (www.pentagonfoundation.org), holds this very special event to honor everyday heroes and celebrate the service men and women that the Foundation supports. As PenFed Foundation COO Kate Kohler stated, “What makes us different from other military or veteran nonprofits is that all of our programs have an element of financial literacy education, and second, all of our Foundation salaries are paid for by the PenFed Credit Union so that our sponsors aren’t paying for personnel costs. Our differentiators really help us generate support for our programs.”

Former Secretaries of Veterans Affairs Togo West, Jr., James Peake, 
and Jim Nicholson present the American Hero Award to Secretary Eric Shineski

Since the commencement of our contract, The Webster Group assisted in the development of the solicitation pieces, corporate sponsorship marketing materials, committee letters and Honorary Congressional Committee outreach collateral. TWG also coordinated all logistical details of the event with The Ritz-Carlton, as well as with the various vendors, A/V, décor, photography, florist, and special guests including recording artist and veteran Josh Gracin, Holly Patraeus, and master of ceremonies, Lee Woodruff, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and former Secretaries of Veterans Affairs Togo West, Jr., James Peake and Jim Nicholson who presented the American Hero Award to Secretary Eric Shinseki.

Master of Ceremonies Lee Woodruff

The PenFed Foundation and The Webster Group have already begun working on their 10^th Anniversary gala in 2014. Starting early is what enables us to produce such an amazing event, which is evident in that fact that that over 50% of the guests are repeat attendees. Because there are so may repeat attendees, “It’s like bringing 500 guests over to your house for dinner!” said Ms. Kohler. “The Webster Group helps us put together a quality program that is also very moving, and ends on time! That’s important for our guests. It’s fun to work with The Webster Group. They bring out the best parts of our programs and help us host national corporate and government leaders in the same way you would like to welcome and entertain someone into your home.”

If you would like more information about the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, please visit www.pentagonfoundation.org. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for the latest live TWG updates (@TheWebsterGroup).

American Red Cross Tiffany Circle Summit Events Weekend

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Fundraising, Production, Washington DC and tagged with American Red Cross, Event Planning, Gala, The Webster Group 06/06/2013

On May 17-18, 2013, The American Red Cross Tiffany Circle Summit Commenced for its 7^th year of events across Washington, DC. Now in our fourth year of planning this whirlwind weekend of events, The Webster Group came together to manage transportation, registration, décor, production, and overall event management for a jam-packed schedule, which included two dinners, a luncheon, a brunch and a high tea, as well as numerous breakout sessions, all covering six separate Washington, DC-area locations.

Sunset Dinner on the Rooftop Terrace of 101 Constitution

The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders and Philanthropists is an organization within the Red Cross comprised of women from across North American who invest $10,000 or more annually in their local Red Cross Chapters. This society is named for the beautiful Tiffany windows in the Board of Governors Hall at the Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, DC, which were produced by the Tiffany Studios and commissioned by Red Cross President Mabel Boardman in 1917.

Great Gatsby-themed Chairman's Dinner at the National Building Museum

Because of the number of events that the same guests would be participating in over this two-day period, The Webster Group staff was careful to make the experience at each event unique and different by varying the catering selection and color palate. Friday night’s sunset-themed dinner on the Rooftop Terrace of 101 Constitution overlooking the Capitol Building was near perfect with a warm, clear night and keynote address by author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Country music star Trace Adkins at the Chairman's Dinner

But it was the Chairman’s Dinner at the National Building Museum on Saturday evening that really perfected the weekend. Our Great Gatsby theme and entertainment provided by country music star and 2013 Celebrity Apprentice winner Trace Adkins were only topped by National Philanthropy Chair, Melanie Sabelhaus, who persuaded more than 10 Tiffany Circle members to become Silver members during an impromptu session at the end of the evening. This means that over $1,000,000 will be given to the Red Cross from these women over the next 10 years. Nobody was expecting that!

It’s no surprise that both our client and guests proclaimed this to be the best Tiffany Circle Summit yet.

TWG Goes to the Big Apple for the Jacob’s Cure Dream Big Gala

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Production and tagged with Gala, Jacob's Cure, New York City, The Webster Group 05/28/2013

On Thursday, May 16, 2013, The Webster Group proudly produced the Jacob’s Cure Dream Big Gala at Pier Sixty in New York City, which raised over $600,000 to help fund Canavan’s Disease research.

“Jacob’s Cure is a non-profit organization founded by Jordana Holovach to save her son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with Canavan Disease, a rare genetic neurological disorder, at six months old. Children with Canavan Disease become trapped in their bodies, develop seizures, lose their ability to see and swallow, and die in the first decade of life. The research funded by Jacob’s Cure has slowed or halted the progression of the disease in most of the children who received gene therapy and have begun the recommended pharmacological treatments. While there is currently no cure for Canavan’s Disease, Jacob’s Cure is funding a stem cell clinical trial that aims to further treat and ultimately cure Canavan Disease.”
http://jacobscure.org/

The 2013 Dream Big Gala honored childhood friends of Jordana Holovach, Scott and Brian Sklar, who have been big supporters of Jacob’s Cure since its inception 17 years ago. The gala sold out three weeks before the event, and there was even a waiting list hoping to join the 840 guests who attended. The evening consisted of a silent auction, tribute videos, a Dream Big raffle for a new BMW, and special VIP guests, including Sherri Shepherd, co-host of “The View.”

This was the second year that The Webster Group has been honored to produce such an important event. Our staff worked hard planning all facets of the gala, including the show flow, décor, floral, food & beverage, A/V and entertainment.

For more information about Canavan’s Disease, go to
http://jacobscure.org/canavan-disease.php
. To learn more about Jacob’s Cure, go to
http://jacobscure.org/
.

The Webster Group’s Marathon Week

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Food and Beverage, Production, Washington, Washington DC and tagged with The Webster Group 05/23/2013

The Webster Group is proud to have successfully produced 13 events in one week. With adrenaline running high, the office bustling with activity and the TWG staff working in overdrive, we managed to do it all. To help put our week into perspective, The Webster Group:

Managed transportation for 3 events for approximately 350 passengers consisting of 20 cars and 10 buses for 15 separate stops
Coordinated seating for more than 1,500 distinguished guests over 142 separate tables
Registered a total of approximately 1,897 guests
Created 1,075 name badges and 260 place cards
Coordinated décor for over 200 tables
Secured and managed amazing entertainment and VIPs including……..(stay tuned!)
Between the entire TWG staff, we sent and received approximately 12,000 emails over the course of the week (still waiting to confirm with IT on this one)

And we aren’t done yet. The TWG staff is gearing up for one more event this week. So continue to check back as we highlight what we have accomplished with our exceptional clients.

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@TheWebsterGroup) for live updates during our events.

The Webster Group’s Marathon Week of Events

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Fundraising, Production, Washington DC and tagged with Event Planning, Non Profit, Social Media, The Webster Group 05/16/2013

This week, The Webster Group team has not 1, not 2…. but 12 events. As you can imagine, the staff is “caffeine-fueled” and the days in the office are quite hectic. Between 10-15 conference calls going on at any given moment, last-second seating changes, and the creation of more than 900 name badges in one week, we are B-U-S-Y. But don’t think we forgot about our blog! We’ll be back next week after our whirlwind events marathon to share some great stories about what The Webster Group team has accomplished with our amazing clients.

In the meantime, you can follow us on Twitter (@TheWebsterGroup) for live updates about The Webster Group during these events.

Members of The Webster Group staff, hard at work planning events

National Sporting Library & Museum Celebrates Sir Alfred Munnings

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Uncategorized 05/10/2013

On April 21, 2013, over 400 guests gathered on a beautiful spring day at The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) in Middleburg, VA to celebrate the life and works of British artist Sir Alfred Munnings. The NSLM undertook this major exhibition, Munnings: Out in the Open, featuring 68 original works of art gathered from private collectors and institutions, and created awareness by also hosting a movie premier of “Summer in February,” a British film being screened for the first time in the United States about a period in Munnings’ life, based on a book by the same name.

The buzz around this extraordinary event began in January. In conjunction with the National Sporting Library & Museum, The Webster Group hit the ground running by creating the sponsorship and marketing materials, then researching and sending out sponsorship letters, and forming a Ladies Committee. With the guidance of NSLM Vice Chairman Jacqueline B. Mars, NSLM and The Webster Group formed a committee of over 20 members. Our diligent staff members also coordinated with these committee members and sponsors to ensure that they were receiving their proper benefits such as program advertisement and table seating assignment.

The Middleburg community was in such a stir as this amazing event approached, that Webster Group staff ultimately fielded an extraordinary amount of calls and emails from people wanting to learn more information and buy tickets, and was such a hot ticket that it was a sold out event.

The Webster Group collected all of the RSVPs for the evening, and on that gorgeous spring afternoon in April, flawlessly greeted and checked-in guests as they arrived, which included British Ambassador Sir Peter John Westmacott, Jacqueline B. Mars, Robert Duvall, Summer in February author Jonathan Smith, and “Summer in February” movie producers Janette Day, Pippa Cross, and Jeremy Cowdrey.

Janette Day (producer), Melanie Mathewes (NSLM Executive Director), Jonathan Smith (author),Pippa Cross (producer), Jeremy Cowdrey (producer)

Ultimately, with the help of the National Sporting Library & Museum, The Webster Group went well over our set revenue goal, marking another successful event for the company.

Medal of Honor Character Development Program Resolution Passes in Tennessee

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Production, Uncategorized and tagged with Character Development Program, Congressional Medal of Honor, Nashville, Tennessee 05/03/2013

On April 8, 2013, The Webster Group was proud to be a part of a historic day surrounding the unanimous passing of Joint Resolution 45 in the Tennessee State Senate in recognition of a model character development program in Tennessee public schools. Written by four students from Knoxville Central High School and sponsored by Senator Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, Resolution 45 urged the official adoption by the State Board of Education of the Congressional Medal of Honor Character Development Program as the official curriculum to be used to meet the character education requirements currently set out in state law. Tennessee is the first state to adopt this program.

Senator Becky Massey, Col. (Ret.) Leo Thorsness, students Abby Booher and Brittany Davis at the Tennessee State Senate Capitol

The Character Development Program, created by Medal of Honor Recipients and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, “incorporates the ideals of courage and selfless service into the middle and high school curriculum to build character and promote responsible citizenship.”

Prior to the 5:00 pm State Senate session, The Webster Group was directly involved in helping to coordinate the itinerary and schedules of a number of meetings between the students, Medal of Honor convention and foundation representatives, and Governor Haslam’s office, including: Medal of Honor Convention committee co-chairs Joe Thompson and Chris Coyne; Convention Education Director Don Naab; Abby Booher and Brittany Davis (two students who co-authored the resolution); Dr. Michael McDaniel (Central High School history teacher and student sponsor); Medal of Honor recipient and immediate past president of the Medal of Honor Society, Col. (Ret.) Leo Thorsness and his wife Gaylee; and other supporters who all toured the Tennessee State Senate Capitol in Nashville to promote the resolution.

Senator Becky Massey, Col. (Ret.) Leo Thorsness, Governor Bill Haslam, and Medal of Honor Convention and Foundation representatives

Following the passing of the resolution, The Webster Group played an integral role in planning a celebratory dinner for Medal of Honor convention and foundation representatives, members of the Knoxville, Tennessee congressional delegation, the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Convention Honorary Committee member, Many-Bears Grinder, and representatives from Nashville-area schools and educational organizations.

Initially planned as an intimate 15-person dinner in the historic Hermitage Hotel, it quickly grew to 40 people. TWG staff was able to negotiate a larger room within the hotel to accommodate this larger crowd.

Because the Hermitage Hotel, built in the style of Beaux Arts Classicism, is already a beautiful building, not much additional décor was necessary for the dinner. The Webster Group staff designed the tables to include linens, floral to include blue hydrangea and yellow lilies, and individual place cards for that added touch. The book Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty was placed in each guest’s chair, which was also signed by Medal of Honor recipient, Leo Thorsness, after the dinner.

For more information about the Medal of Honor Character Development, click here.

For information about the 2014 Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Knoxville, contact, Wendy Drake, President, The Webster Group at wendy@webstergroupinc.com.

Less than One Month Until The Grin Gala!

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Events, Fundraising, Production, Washington DC and tagged with #DCEvents, Clinton Wheeler, Gala, Grin Gala, Mark Kimsey, Operation Smile, US Chamber of Commerce 04/15/2013

Between producing the National Cherry Blossom Opening Ceremony, the AMVET’s Silver Helmet Awards Banquet and running registration for a Fashion show and movie premiere (more on these later!), TWG is in full-on event mode. Although it’s a busy time for the TWG team, the nice weather, beautiful cherry blossoms and change in season give us all something to smile about.

And speaking of smiling, we are proud to announce our partnership with Operation Smile to produce their 6th annual Grin Gala at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 11, 2013, which also marks the organization’s 30th Anniversary.

This year, Mark J. Kimsey, Enily Wheeler and Clinton F. Wheeler, Vice President of Corporate Programs at the U.S. Chamber, have once again offered to provide their tremendous leadership and renewed commitment to the Grin Gala mission by serving as the Executive Chairs. While both US Congressman Trent Franks and the Honorable Thomas R. Pickering will serve as this year’s Honorary Chairs.

With less than one month to go, the Grin Gala team and TWG are working tirelessly to secure sponsorship support from some of the area’s most formidable companies, pushing rooftop reception tickets sales and drafting production schedules.

Last year was the first year TWG partnered with the Grin Gala team and helped to raise nearly $250,000 on behalf of Operation Smile. Although we’re grateful to have contributed to one of the organization’s most successful and well received events, we know that 2013 will be even more impressive.

Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee and headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, Operation Smile has provided more than 3.5 million healthcare evaluations and conducted over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities, as well as patients suffering from burns. Operation Smile is dedicated to building self-sufficiency in developing countries by training doctors and local medical professionals in our partner countries so they are empowered to treat their own local communities, donating medical equipment and supplies, and providing year-round medical treatment through our worldwide Comprehensive Care Centers.

With the purpose of raising awareness for the mission of Operation Smile, the Grin Gala raises funds to enable life-changing surgeries for children with facial deformities and encourages international philanthropy and stewardship. Today, the Grin Gala is composed of friends, families and Operation Smile volunteers, donors and advocates that come together to celebrate and support the mission.

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Location: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 20062
Dress: Black Tie Optional

Schedule:
6:00 PM VIP Rooftop Cocktail followed by VIP Dinner and After Party
7:45 PM Founders Circle Rooftop Cocktail followed by After Party

To purchase tickets, please click HERE!

National Cherry Blossom Festival: Opening Ceremony

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Decor, Events, Production, Washington DC and tagged with Andy Grammer, Bloom, Celebration, Cherry Trees, Entertainment, National Cherry Blossom Festival, NCBF, Show, Spring, Springtime, Urban Nation, Warner Theater 03/29/2013

There is no doubt that every year Washingtonians and tourists alike anxiously await the greatest springtime celebration: the blossoming of D.C.’s famous cherry trees. The blooming period lasts less than two weeks, with the peak blooms lasting only a few short days. As you can imagine, timing is everything when planning your visit into the city to view these magnificent trees. With snow sweeping the nation’s capital last week, the National Park Service has forecasted April 3-6 as the peak blooming time this spring.

Amazing stage set.

Warner Theatre

Regardless of the weather last Friday, D.C. was ready to begin the Cherry Blossom festivities and usher in the start of a new (hopefully warmer) season. TWG teamed up with The National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) to help ring in the new season and produce the NCBF’s Opening Ceremony.

Mariko Furukawa, Junko Yagami, the Chihiro Yamanaka Trio

Held at the Warner Theatre, this year’s opening ceremony showcased the history of the blossoms with remarks from both, His Excellency Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador of Japan to the U.S., and the Honorable Vincent Gray, Mayor of Washington, D.C. Guests were also entertained with musical performances by breakout pop-star Andy Grammer, Nanae Iwata and Mariko Furukawa, Junko Yagami, the Chihiro Yamanaka Trio, Rina Haruki and the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir.

One "junior" member of Urban Hip Hop, too cute!

One “junior” member of Urban Nation, too cute!

We got to meet Andy Grammer!

With an amazing stage set, a packed house and a fabulous lineup of speakers and entertainment, TWG couldn’t ask for a better show. Whether we were tip-toeing in the corridors under the theater to reach stage left with our entertainers or calling a flawless show, we felt honored to be a part of one of D.C.’s most time-honored springtime celebrations.

Wall of "Good Luck Kisses" in one of Warner Theater corridors

Wall of “Good Luck Kisses” in one of Warner Theatre corridors

We would like to give a special thank you to: Kris Rohr, National Cherry Blossom Festival Board Chair; Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival; Jessica Doyle, our amazing Emcee for the evening and reporter for WUSA9; and Hargrove and EventEQ. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with all of you.

TWG Team: Patton, Lea and Holly

“Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries. Today, more than 1.5 million people visit Washington, DC [ generating $170 million in revenue] each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees and to participate in diverse programming that heralds spring in the nation’s capital” – National Cherry Blossom Festival.

For more information regarding the National Cherry Blossom Festival , please visit their website or follow on all the events via Twitter.

TWG Takes Deeper Look: Critical Exposure

Posted by The Webster Group Blog in Events, Fundraising, Washington, Washington DC and tagged with Critical Exposure, DC nonprofits, DC Public Schools, nonprofits, photography, social change, social reform, youth 03/22/2013

Over the years, The Webster Group has worked with and helped a number of nonprofit organizations. We have provided services to some of the largest high-profile national organizations and advised smaller local nonprofits, reaching thousands in our own backyard.

One of our favorite local organizations, Critical Exposure (CE), is a DC-based nonprofit “that teaches youth to use the power of photography and their own voices to become effective advocates for school reform and social change.”

In 2009, TWG began a partnership with Critical Exposure in planning fundraising and sponsorship materials, while offering some insight into preparation of their annual photography auction, “Picture Equality: An Evening of Empowerment through Photography.” This fall, as TWG prepares to give back to the local community, we look forward to serving on their host committee once again.

Adam Levner, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Critical Exposure and Alison Hanold, Development & Communications Director, both took some time to speak with our resident blogger, Brittanie, about Critical Exposure and the power of photography as a tool to create social change.

At TWG, we know starting a nonprofit is far from easy, but Critical Exposure managed to get a jump in 2004 with a brainstorming session in two DC studio apartments. From there, the team began operating at a quick pace.

Adam explained that, in terms of board development, Critical Exposure used personal networks and worked through direct relationships to recruit members and expand their reach. Soon enough, CE secured a few small grants which enabled them to buy cameras and get a start with a group of Baltimore students.

When asked what moment or moments have made him most proud as a founder, Adam stated, “Getting to hire staff! It really makes you feel like a real organization….”

Adam also mentioned that Critical Exposure just wrapped up a huge project within the last year. Working with high school students to use photography to advocate for a new library in their school, CE taught the students to tell their story, use photos to tell their stories to the audience that could help them create change, and persuade public officials to fund their library.

“We had the opportunity to advise and follow this group through the whole process; from research to ribbon cutting,” said Adam. “It’s an exciting process to watch.”

He continued to explain that all nonprofits face challenges in this tough economy, but staying innovative in a niche that is not quite filled is what keeps Critical Exposure going. “[We] are teaching young people to use an art for concrete changes.”

Looking ahead at 2013, Adam painted a very eventful season for Critical Exposure. Between the annual spring exhibit in May at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, a fellowship program and student-run campaign geared towards improving the current DC school discipline system and CE’s summer leadership program, Adam and his team have their hands full.

TWG wants to wish the best of luck to the CE team and their students over the next few months. We look forward to continue working with them!

For more information on Critical Exposure please visit their site here or follow them @pictureequality.

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