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Martin Moodie welcomes guests to The Moodie Report’s tenth anniversary dinner and explains the work of The Moodie Report Foundation |
HONG KONG. The Moodie Report 10th Anniversary Charity Ball took place on Friday night at the Hotel Icon in Hong Kong, attended by a sell-out audience of 370 guests.
Travel retail executives from all around the globe flew in for the event, and generously helped raise large sums of money (we’ll bring you the final figure soon) to be split equally between two special causes-The Moodie Report Foundation, a newly formed foundation dedicated to generating funds for cancer research and other illnesses, and travel retail industry charity Hand in Hand for Haiti.
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DFS Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Schriver underlines the importance of aiding Hand in Hand for Haiti |
The Moodie Report received tremendous international and local support for the event. In particular, DFS Group poured in resources, people and passion to help maximise the success of the evening.
Guests donated generously to the raffles, silent auction and live auction (hosted by Christie’s). There were also some incredible individual and company donations. The Moodie Report Foundation has already received seed funding from Moodie International shareholders Martin Moodie and The Wampler Family Trust. That has been bolstered by a donation of US$50,000 (previously announced) from Dubai Duty Free, and last Friday, US$35,000 from Stuart and Bruce McGuire of Scorpio Distributors.
The Moodie Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “When I set up this company I vowed we would give back, both to the industry and to society. To me the highlights of this company’s first ten years have not been about commercial or editorial success but about some of the great causes we have been lucky enough to be involved with – such as The Smile Train, the Alpha Tsunami Fund, Hand in Hand for Haiti and The Moodie Multi-National Marathon.
“And that, rather than a birthday party is what tonight’s all about. We want to highlight two important causes that we think demonstrate our industry’s ability to touch and change lives: The Moodie Report Foundation and Hand in Hand for Haiti.”
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The Patrón ice bar allowed guests to chill out in style |
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Moodie underscored the importance of cancer research in saving lives, with the new foundation created to aid that drive. He cited the poignant example of DFS Vice President Global Creative and Consumer Marketing Lynn Arce – a source of great support to Moodie as he fought his illness – who is currently battling cancer in Los Angeles. The Moodie Report donated (separately from any monies raised on Friday) US$50,000 to a new charity called Sleepwalkers Around The World, which is championed by Lynn – and involves a community of people around the world coming together to raise awareness and money for ovarian cancer.
The work of Hand in Hand for Haiti was highlighted by DFS Chief Operating Officer Michael Schriver, who urged the industry to maintain its fund-raising drive to support the school it has already built – and which now teaches 400 pupils.
There were many other generous contributions to Friday night. The Hotel Icon made available its gala venue and a sumptuous dinner free of charge. All wines & spirits during the evening were kindly donated by Moët Hennessy (Gala Dinner) and Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free, while Patrón provided its trademark “˜Ice Bar’.
A highlight of the evening was a performance by leading international harpist Claire Jones, accompanied by the Chinese Children’s Orchestra, courtesy of Welsh jewellery company Clogau.
Other fund-raising activities included a silent auction, raffles, table games and a unique test of industry intelligence, involving ADAC Senior Vice President Commercial Dan Cappell.
An incredible line-up of prizes for the live and silent auctions was donated by industry companies and individuals. Devanlay Lacoste, for example, offered two return business class flights from Hong Kong to Melbourne with two finals tickets for the Australian Tennis Open. Dubai Duty Free donated two business class tickets from anywhere in the world plus accomodation and entry to the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup. Abu Dhabi Airports Company donated two ultra-luxury Bvlgari watches.
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Royal harpist Claire Jones proved one of the evening’s great highlights |
Drinks company Patrón donated two return air tickets to the US for a Boston Celtics game (with floor seats) and three nights accommodation’ while Treasury Wine Estates offered two fantastic prizes involving flights to Penfolds and Wolf Blass wineries in Australia plus accommodation, lunches, dinners and tastings.
A host of exclusive luxury products were also on offer, including a Montegrappa Eternal Bird Limited Edition writing instrument, donated (in a personal capacity) by Abu Dhabi Airports Company Senior Vice President Commercial Dan Cappell.
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DFS’s Michael Schriver places his bid for one of the auction items |
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There were many top-class luxury items available in the main auction |
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Dan Cappell of Abu Dhabi Airports Company places a bid in the silent auction |
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The silent auction drew some spectacular donated prizes |
The silent auction also included an 1834 Barbeito Malvazia wine from Madeira, donated by Barry Geoghegan, Founder of Barry Global Innovation.
We’ll bring you more details and images soon.
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Guests saw a moving video of the travel retail industry-funded school in Haiti |
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ADAC’s Dan Cappell takes on three Hong Kong school children in a game of knowledge |
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The Hotel Icon proved a superb venue |
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