Mike Wilkinson
Photo: Courtesy of Mike Wilkinson
Mike Wilkinson is the associate director of special events for the Whitman Walker Clinic, a community-based health organization focusing on the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender community. While his office plans events such as Capital Pride and the AIDS Walk, Mike’s primary responsibilities include the clinic’s four largest annual fund-raisers: a spring gala, a cocktail reception for the legal community, a fashion show with Saks Fifth Avenue, and an art auction. Before starting at the clinic in November 2006, Mike worked in special events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Production: “We work with Jenna Mack of Event Emissary on our spring gala because it’s such a large event; we need someone to help guide us through the complexity of it. She has great ideas for event design. She allows us to focus on raising money, but at the same time, keeps us really involved with the design and makes sure the donors are happy.”Catering: “We have worked with Occasions Caterers for several years, and it’s been a wonderful experience. Stress-free is the way they do things for us, and the quality of the food has been a step above the rest. The staff is very attentive and comes up with great event design. Lately, we’ve been incorporating themes very heavily into our events, and they’ve done a great job at making the menu match those themes. They’ve really risen to the challenge.”
Flowers: “We’ve worked with Washington Harbour Florist for the past three years. They are very budget-conscious and come up with some great stuff. We can give them three or four words, and they’ll make a great arrangement.”
Production: “We work with Jenna Mack of Event Emissary on our spring gala because it’s such a large event; we need someone to help guide us through the complexity of it. She has great ideas for event design. She allows us to focus on raising money, but at the same time, keeps us really involved with the design and makes sure the donors are happy.”Catering: “We have worked with Occasions Caterers for several years, and it’s been a wonderful experience. Stress-free is the way they do things for us, and the quality of the food has been a step above the rest. The staff is very attentive and comes up with great event design. Lately, we’ve been incorporating themes very heavily into our events, and they’ve done a great job at making the menu match those themes. They’ve really risen to the challenge.”
Flowers: “We’ve worked with Washington Harbour Florist for the past three years. They are very budget-conscious and come up with some great stuff. We can give them three or four words, and they’ll make a great arrangement.”
