After moving to a smaller venue this year, public broadcasting station WEDU’s fifth annual Sojourn fund-raiser sold out in November and attracted 500 people to the A La Carte Event Pavilion on Saturday night. The Italy-themed event raised more than $100,000, nearly 30 percent more than last year.
Event creator Laura Fage, vice president of communications at WEDU, attributed the fast ticket sales to the event's reputation—Tampa Bay Magazine named it the city's "Best Black Tie Fund-raiser" in 2009—and demand for its popular feasting tables. Considered the best seats in the room each year, they have different decor from the other tables, 16 seats instead of 10, and a better view of the entertainment. “The feasting tables have always been in hot demand because we only allow a limited number of them and people know they are the best seats, so those who have been coming for the last few years know they should book early,” Fage said.
The planning committee increased the number of feasting tables from seven to 12 this year and raised the price by $500 to $5,000. Despite the price adjustment, the planning committee sold all of the tables.
Another draw, according to Fage, is the event’s reputation for creative and continual entertainment, which is kept secret until that night. Roaming opera singers, Shakespearean actors, and mandolin players from Breezin' Entertainment & Productions, as well as a fashion show from Saks Fifth Avenue with paparazzi lining the runway, were among this year’s performances.
Many of the event’s past sponsors also returned, including Raymond James Financial, Happy Feet Plus, and founding sponsors Premier Beverage Company and ConceptBAIT, the latter of which designs and produces the dinner each year. The five sponsorship packages ranged from $1,500 to $20,000.
