The Florida Marlins Foundation returned to the Fairmont Turnberry Isle on Thursday night for its fourth annual Fish 'N Chips fund-raiser. The casino event experienced an increase in sponsors this year with the addition of eight companies to last year's total of 26.
"Planning time was key and getting to [the sponsors] earlier," said the foundation's director of development, Jennifer Diliz, who added that the host committee started soliciting potential companies in May, two months earlier than last year.
Attendance, however, dipped: The Casablanca-themed event attracted more than 300 people, down from nearly 400 in 2009. It began with a 90-minute cocktail reception in the corridors around the hotel's main ballroom, where 13 local restaurants, six more than in 2009, set up their food stations. In order to streamline the food and cocktail service and reduce the crowding that occurred last year, Diliz created a designated area for the silent auction items with costumed entertainers to draw attendees to the space.
Prager Casino Productions Corp. set up its white illuminated gaming tables in the main ballroom for the night's entertainment. Blooming Design and Events created four lounge groupings of black and white sofas and ottomans for guests. Additionally, a draped section of space served as the Casablanca movie room with the film projected onto a screen.
The night culminated with the winner of the Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, which required a $200 ticket purchase compared to the $100 basic ticket, walking away with the night's Tiffany prize package. Second and third place winners received a Marlins away game trip to San Francisco and a $1,000 gift certificate to the Fairmont Turnberry Isle hotel, respectively.
The final fund-raising tally has not yet been released.
Correction: The story has been updated to clarify the description of the silent auction area, lounge areas in the ballroom and who used them, and the price for the poker tournament ticket.
