THE TABLE IS SET FOR STYLE AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL DINING BY DESIGN
Gala to benefit DIFFA/Chicago Returns to The Merchandise Mart Nov. 3-5
CHICAGO (Sept. 1, 2005) – Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc (MMPI), proudly announces the fourth annual ELLE DECOR’s Dining By Design, presented by GE benefiting DIFFA/Chicago (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Nov. 3-5 at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago. Throughout the three day event there will be special guest appearances including; "Trading Spaces" host Doug Wilson, renowned New York designer and photographer Todd Oldham, ELLE DECOR's Editor in Chief, Margaret Russell and Chicago's very own Holly Hunt.
The pinnacle of tabletop design, Dining By Design gives accomplished and high profile designers the opportunity to produce incredibly extravagant table settings utilizing the latest and most innovative resources and accessories for the home. The more than 50 sponsoring participants of ELLE DECOR’s Dining By Design are provided with a 10-by-10 foot space to create their dining area for 10 dinner guests. The tables will be dined upon at the Gala on Saturday, Nov. 5, the final evening of the event. In addition, Todd Oldham will also lend his support by acting as a guest DJ at the Gala.
“The Merchandise Mart Design Center is honored to be a part of such an extraordinary event that raises raise money for DIFFA/Chicago," said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, MMPI. "The creativity of the designer tables never ceases to amaze me."
ELLE DECOR’s Dining By Design, presented by GE schedule is as follows:
All events are held in the 8th Floor Market Suites in The Merchandise Mart. To purchase tickets for any of the ELLE DECOR’s Dining by Design events, call the DIFFA office at 312.644.6412.
Thursday, Nov. 3
The Brizo Bubble Blast will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., tickets are $50. Guests will have the opportunity to gaze at the exquisite tables while mingling, enjoying music, and sipping champagne.
Friday, Nov. 4
The open house will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; tickets are $10 at the door. The public will enjoy a tour of the imaginative tabletops designed by some of Chicago’s leading designers. At 2 p.m., guests will be treated to special guest speaker “Trading Spaces” host Doug Wilson. Sponsored by GE, Wilson will discuss and take questions on lighting trends.
Saturday, Nov. 5
The Gala will be held from 6:30 p.m.-Midnight. Table sponsorships are available at $2,750 (Silver Level), $3,750 (Gold Level) and $5,000 (Platinum Level) and individual tickets are $275 per person. The evening begins with a cocktail reception and viewing of the exquisite tabletops, followed by an elegant sit down dinner at the beautifully dressed tables, dancing to music spun by Todd Oldham and silent auction – all to cap off the weekend of celebration and charity. The silent auction features an array of items from entire milieus to centerpieces, dream vacations and luxury home products.
Media Inquiries Only:
Jackie Paulsen
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7555
E-mail: jpaulsen@mmart.com
Natalie Campbell
Public Relations Associate
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7790
E-mail: ncampbell@mmart.com
About ELLE DECOR:
ELLE DECOR, the international fashion magazine for the home, is the largest edition in a network of 20 ELLE DECORs around the world. The ELLE DECOR international network is unsurpassed in scope, reaching nine million young, affluent, style-conscious readers in 28 countries on five continents. With its longstanding partnership with DIFFA, Dining by Design has evolved from a one-night affair to a multiple-day celebration and embodies what ELLE DECOR is all about: style, drama, excitement and spirited collaboration.
About GE:
GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. GE (NYSE: GE) brings imagination to work, selling products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™, Reveal® consumer brands, and Entellisys™ industrial brand. For more information, consumers may visit ge.com.
About Holly Hunt:
Holly is credited with raising the bar in the interior design industry for style, showroom presentation, quality and service. Beginning in 1984 with a small Chicago showroom, she now presides over a national brand for interior products widely recognized for design excellence. The business has grown to include six Holly Hunt showrooms. Additionally, under the Holly Hunt brand she created a ground breaking modern furniture collection and a very successful textile collection. Both collections are sold through a dozen showrooms nation wide.
About DIFFA:
DIFFA, in its 21st year, is still one of the largest organizations to fund HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide $35 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. For more information regarding DIFFA, visit diffa.org.
About DIFFA/Chicago:
DIFFA/Chicago chapter distributes funds to Chicago-area AIDS service agencies that assist men, women and children affected by AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. Since 1987, DIFFA/Chicago has awarded Excellence in Care Awards in excess of $2 million. In Chicago, the funding has supported those agencies that demonstrate extraordinary effectiveness in achieving its chosen mission in the HIV/AIDS arena.
About Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, 350 W. Mart Center, and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
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