"An
Evening With The Stars"
8th Annual FCCA Gala Dinner Raises Funds
For The Caribbean
March
28, 2002
The
Member Lines of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) are proud
to announce that the 8th Annual Gala Dinner and Entertainment Extravaganza
raised approximately $200,000 to distribute to worthy causes in the Caribbean
through its’ Foundation. The FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean serves
as a tangible vehicle for the cruise industry to participate in the effort
to improve the lives of Caribbean citizens through its funding of humanitarian
and social causes. The Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands
of Caribbean citizens providing more than $2 million in funding to causes
and charities throughout the region.
The Port of Miami and the Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
sponsored this year’s event, held on March 14, 2002 at the American
Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Center court of the Arena was transformed
into a mystical formal dining atmosphere, with more than 500 cruise industry
partners and top cruise executive spending the evening exchanging views
and ideas while dining in a social atmosphere. The evening festivities
began with a cocktail reception on the East Plaza of the Arena, overlooking
the Port of Miami, a silent art auction sponsored by Park West Gallery,
Cruise Management International and Onboard Media, donated over 100 pieces
of magnificent artwork by artists such as Peter Max and Salvador Dali.
With such beautiful artwork on display no one could wait to start the
bidding. “I’m sure all the guests got a kick out of the bidding
wars, but in actuality there is only one big winner, the FCCA Foundation
for the Caribbean.”- stated Michele M. Paige, President, FCCA.
At the conclusion of the silent auction, guests were seated for dinner
while the Operations Committee Chairman, Michael Ronan, Associate VP,
Destination Development, Royal Caribbean International who gave the opening
remarks and thanked the guests for their support – “We would
like to express or sincere gratitude to all our good friends and partners
in attendance for your continued support. The funds raise here tonight
will enable the FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean to help even more needy
organizations throughout the Caribbean.” Mr. Ronan also presented
an educational scholarship of $2,500 each to both first place winners
of the Foundation’s Environmental Poster Competition, Ayodhya Ouditt
(senior division) from Trinidad and Cassius Ebanks (junior division) from
the Cayman Islands. Dr. Rose Renard, Founding Member and Executive Director
of the Laborie Early Childhood Development Center (LABCEC), St. Lucia,
gave a brief presentation expressing heartfelt gratitude to the FCCA for
it’s continued support of the LABCEC center. Also on hand to share
in the celebration was Stanley Forbes, Special Olympics Athlete, Bahamas,
who accepted an FCCA donation of $25,000 for Special Olympics –
Caribbean and in turn presented a special Olympics plaque to FCCA’s
Chairman, Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation’s Chairman and CEO.
Dinner was then followed by an evening of entertainment provided by Dan
Leslie Entertainers.
Special thanks to all attendees for making the 8th Annual “Evening
with the Stars” a success and for your continued support ensuring
the Foundation continues to be a positive force in the lives of Caribbean
citizens.
Christopher Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade, summed up the evening
– “I just wanted to thank you very much for your kind invitation
to the FCCA dinner; I thought it was the best I have attended so far.
Congratulations to you and all your staff.” With beautiful artwork,
fabulous food, delightful music and a cool star filled Miami night…what
more could anyone ask for. Unfortunately, all great nights must come to
an end, but what better way to end it than dancing the night away to some
of our favorite songs for a worthy cause.
NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST