Gala to honor group that brings minority conventions here
When legendary songstress Patti LaBelle sings to you, it has to be a special event. Such is the case tomorrow at a gala at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Multicultural Affairs Congress.
When legendary songstress Patti LaBelle sings to you, it has to be a special event.
Such is the case tomorrow at a gala at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Multicultural Affairs Congress.
LaBelle, a true Philadelphian, will sing a tribute to the group's founders - businessman Bruce A. Crawley and state Rep. Dwight Evans - and more than 600 hospitality-industry supporters of the MAC.
Actor Clifton Davis Jr. will host the affair.
"The focus is on our founders, and we have a special tributary gift for them as well," said MAC's executive director, Tanya Hall.
"It's something neither are expecting; it's a very creative way to say thank you to our founders."
The Philadelphia MAC, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was born 20 years ago when Crawley and Evans decided that the city wasn't doing enough to attract minority-based conferences and organizations to the city.
Thus, the MAC was created to bolster the city's image as a major metropolis able to meet the specific needs of diverse organizations.
So far, the MAC has been a success, drawing a number of high-profile companies and groups to the city, many of which have said they will return.
Tomorrow's gala will include a silent auction to support the MAC's scholarship fund.
"The fund was started nine years ago, and named in honor of our past business manager, and we want to endow that scholarship," Hall said.
Items in the auction will include hotel packages at Loews Philadelphia hotel and an Olympic package, since the women's gymanstics finals will be held here next June.
"We also have rounds of golf and a black history and cultural package," Hall said.
Other items for the silent auction include a BlackBerry, subscriptions to Philadanco's upcoming season and various professional-training packages.
But the focus of the event will be on the founders and the MAC supporters.
"There is a diverse group of attendees," Hall said - noting that businessman Kenny Gamble and Democratic mayoral nominee Michael Nutter are expected to attend, along with other city officials - "from small businesses to major companies, the over 200 [companies] that have supported us through sponsorship." *