The Drake has hosted the Earth Day Gala for the past four years, and the event is the only one to completely take over the hotel. Sponsors got V.I.P. passes that gave them early access to the Sky Yard outdoor lounge and patio, which later opened to all guests. In the adjacent event space Room 222, servers doled out homemade gelato from the Boreal Gelato Company. Downstairs, guests snacked on organic food at several stations, and band the Sadies entertained. In the venue's lower-level Underground lounge, comedians Mark McKinney and Seán Cullen presided over the award ceremony.
The event drew around 500 guests. “There’s a broad spectrum of decision makers here [at the gala],” said Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada. “It’s a chance for them to appreciate our work and also see what needs to get done.” The final take is still being tabulated, but planners expect the gala to have netted $100,000.
Cascades was the presenting sponsor, offering a range of environmentally friendly products in the washrooms. Other sponsors included Mill Street Brewery, Aeroplan, AGF Management, and Suncor Energy.
