Nameless Awards Get Major Upgrade

By Stephanie Mermis, Event Chair
The Event Formerly Known as Big Wigs — the Austin Ad Fed's annual awards show celebrating the unsung heroes of our industry — is becoming an affair you won't want to miss, and will be nameless for only a little while longer.

You've seen the emails asking for your nominations and may have even received a "Save the Date" card if you attended recent Ad Fed events. This year's show is all new — drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, an elegant new venue (The Mansion at Judges' Hill) and...it's in the evening.  We felt our unsung heroes deserved more time for recognition — not to mention a cocktail or two and a fabulous dinner to celebrate.   
 
So make plans now for you and your significant other to hang up your flip flops and blue jeans and break out those new threads you've been dying to wear. Of course, without you, there would be no event, so we'll be providing you a blank mask to spruce up and wear to the party. Or you can bring your own. What better way to start a conversation? 
 
If you need a feel-good reason to attend — and yes, we all do — there will be a silent auction during the cocktail hour where you can bid on lots of cool goods and services. The proceeds will help our budding college students compete in the annual National Student Advertising Competition.  And if the suspense isn't killing you by the end of the night, we'll unveil the new name of the event. 
 
Vital stats:  Thursday, June 14th, The Mansion at Judges Hill, 1900 Rio Grande, downtown, 6pm cocktail hour and silent auction, 7:30pm dinner and awards. Invitations mailed early June. And no need to keep this a secret — it's good gossip, so go ahead and pass along.

If you would like to donate an item or service for the silent auction, please email stephaniemermis@statesman.com or call 512-445-3794.