The 2nd Annual Runway to Hope Spring Fashion Soiree was celebrated on Saturday May 19th at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando hotel. Mark and Josie NeJame founded the Runway to Hope charity to work towards a cure for childhood cancer and create a collaboration between area children hospitals, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Florida Hospital for Children. The “Under the Sea”-themed evening was meant to lift the spirits for all of the “models”, children who are currently battling or have beaten cancer, with an upbeat fashion show featuring the children and local celebrities. Grapevine Events & Marketing produced the event by strategically partnering with some of Orlando’s best event suppliers, and Max King Events was so proud to be a part of that impressive list of partners!
The evening began for some guests at the VIP Sponsor Reception, which included a celebrity meet and greet with the fashion show hosts Mario Lopez and Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, and the evening’s entertainment, comedian Michael Wilson. Two luxurious vehicles provided by The Orlando Premier Collection were centered amongst the guests and amid the MKE-provided glow cocktail tables. Sleek white furniture groupings with turquoise pillows supplied by AFR Event Furnishings provided comfortable seating for the fashionable guests.
The main cocktail reception and silent auction began with a whimsical greeting from a mermaid, one of the many entertaining elements provided by SeaWorld! An amazing silent auction sat center stage in the pre-function area for the guests to post competing bids for some one-of-a-kind items.
The main ballroom was set for a 1,200 person seated dinner, in a “sea” of blues, silvers, and whites. The various draping elements behind the runway and perimeter scenics, provided by Swag Decor, set the perfect backdrop to the event. Max King Events created dimensional vignettes with oversize coral reefs, suspended life-size sharks and dolphins, and other “sea treasures” to pair with each of the scenic backdrops.
68 pediatric cancer patients had the chance to be in the spotlight as they walked, danced, and enjoyed showing off the latest in children’s fashion to the 1,200 guests in attendance. The overwhelming focus of the evening was the courageous children that graced the stage at the Runway to Hope Spring Fashion Soiree, reminding all of us that curing childhood cancer never goes out of style!
Photos courtesy of: The Nielsens Photography & Design