BC Business
This year's event raised more than $370,000 to support the Aquarium's conservation, research and education programs
More than 350 guests attended the Night at the Aquarium Gala at the Vancouver Aquarium on June 15. Presented by PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., the event raised over $370,000 in support of the Aquarium’s conservation, research and education programs.
The evening began with a Tattinger champagne reception while the folk band Tiller’s Folly had guests dancing as others bid on silent auction items and bought raffle tickets for business class tickets for two to anywhere in the world Air Canada flies. This was followed by a four-course seated dinner by some of B.C.’s top chefs: Ocean Wise executive chef Ned Bell; Araxi Restaurant’s James Walt; Blue Water Cafe’s Frank Pabst; and the Fish Counter’s Rob Clark. A live auction ended the gala led by man-about-town Fred Lee with auction proceeds of $117,000 benefitting the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
Dr. John Nightingale, Vancouver Aquarium president and CEO; and his wife, Jackie Gijssen, Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative project director
Andrea Wright, Vancouver Aquarium director of development; RCMP Sgt. Doug Trousdell; Kelly Clark, Vancouver Aquarium event planner; Cathy Imrie, Vancouver Aquarium CFO; RCMP constable Murray McLennan; and Jennifer Ferguson, Vancouver Aquarium manager of development
Ocean Wise executive chef Ned Bell; and Four Seasons Hotel Yew Seafood + Bar executive chef Weimar Gomez
Deidre Smith, ES3 Advisory, director of evolution strategies; and Liisa Wilkinson, Ambleside Environmental principal
Michael Cuccione, Michael Cuccione Foundation president; Gloria Cuccione, Michael Cuccione Foundation executive director; and Dominic Cuccione
Chef Takayuki Omi, Fairmont Pacific Rim sushi chef
Milena Robertson and her husband, Jim Robertson, International Wine & Food Society Vancouver branch president
Dolf DeJong, Vancouver Aquarium GM; and Richard Carroll, Vancouver Aquarium senior development officer
Joan Fiander, Just Add Water business owner; Patrick Fiander, Marsh Canada Ltd. executive director; and Ginny Leung, Vancouver Aquarium controller
Megan McGettigan, REW.ca digital sales and marketing co-ordinator; and Tristan Sawtell, Scotia Wealth Management senior wealth advisor
Debbie Smith and her husband, Gordon Smith, Smithrite Environmental Services owner
The Vancouver Aquarium Night at the Aquarium Gala 2017
Tiller’s Folly performed for guests at the reception
Night at the Aquarium Gala co-chairs Tina Rowntree and Bert Hick