'The Voice' Season 9 Winner, Jordan Smith, performing at the 2nd Annual Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver.
Two hundred prominent artists, musicians, philanthropists, and business leaders gathered at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia on October 13th to celebrate the 2nd Annual Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver; Fraser Riverkeeper's foremost fundraising event to support programs that defend your right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.
The highlights of the evening were a series of powerful musical performances by Jacob Hoggard of the JUNO award-winning band Hedley, Rachelle van Zanten, "BUB" (Barney Bentall, Shari Ulrich and Jim Byrnes), and a special surprise performance by the incredible Jordan Smith, winner of The Voice Season 9, that brought the whole room to its feet. With each performance the artists shared their Watermarks, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own personal connection to Canadian waters and inspiring them to action.
Hosted by Order of Canada member Denise Donlon with a keynote speech by award-winning Canadian photographer, Edward Burtynsky, the evening wrapped up with a spirited live-auction for exciting experience packages; including a wilderness fishing adventure with Survivorman Les Stroud and a VIP Edmonton Oilers Hockey experience with Wayne Gretzky and Kevin Lowe.
"A community of leaders dedicated to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water has been quietly growing, here in B.C. and across Canada," said Lauren Hornor, Executive Director of Fraser Riverkeeper. "It was so wonderful and inspiring to see this community on full display at our gala, coming together to celebrate their personal connection and commitment to Canadian waters.”
The presenting sponsors of Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver 2016 were TELUS, who also hosted a discussion on the role of technology in connecting Canadians to nature the day before the gala at the incredible TELUS Garden; Vancouver's first LEED platinum-certified office tower. The inspiring speaker panel was moderated by James Riley, founder of Kumu Agency, and featured Swim Drink Fish Canada President and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Mark Mattson; award-winning documentarian Jennifer Baichwal; acclaimed Canadian author, Joseph Boyden; TELUS SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Andrea Goertz; Global VP of IBM's Smart Cities Initiative, Rich Michos; and creator/director/producer of the hit TV series Survivorman, Les Stroud.
"As a long-time supporter of sustainable initiatives across Canada, we were proud to support the Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver and spend an evening with a community of passionate individuals working together to ensure one of our most precious resources is protected for our future generations," read a post-event statement from TELUS.
Platinum venue sponsors Delta Group and the Rosewood Hotel Georgia were proud to invest in a swimmable, drinkable, future; generously helping to make this great evening in the hotel's sumptuous Spanish Ballroom a reality.
Fraser Riverkeeper and Swim Drink Fish Canada wish to express profound gratitude to Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver 2016 gold sponsors Auryn Resources and Tejas Capital; silver sponsors Lassonde and the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation; bronze sponsors A&F Music, IBM, Kumu Agency, Seabridge Marine, and Woodtone; and contributing sponsors included EWS Event Services, Granville Island Florist, Hemlock Printers, Leith Wheeler, Peacock & Martin Wine and Spirits, and PSAV Presentation Services.
All funds raised went to support Fraser Riverkeeper & Swim Drink Fish Canada's charitable work for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. Their flagship programs are Swim Guide, the Watermark Project, and a new Campaign for Water Literacy.
Jacob Hoggard of JUNO Award-winning band Hedley sharing his Watermark with the guests at Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver.
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Links
- Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver: www.fraserriverkeeper.ca/gala
- Fraser Riverkeeper: www.fraserriverkeeper.ca
- Swim Guide: www.theswimguide.org
- Watermark Project: www.watermarkproject.ca
