Smokin Aces! LMGA Members Night: A Monte Carlo Experience IMG_2311

For those of you whose schedule was too demanding to be whisked away to the French Rivera, Atlantic City, Las Vegas or even Palm Springs for a night of gaming fun; we found the perfect solution at this month’s LMGA Members Night: A Monte Carlo Experience.

After all, while online gaming can be entertaining, nothing beats the experience of the real deal. Where else can you revel in risk-taking while seeing your boss take a nose dive at the Poker table?

On Saturday October 10, The Intercontinental Hotel in Century City was the place to be for Location Managers, Assistants, LMGA Business Members, Film Commissioners and honored guests.

Our gracious Platinum Sponsor this year was The Nevada Film Office run By Eric Preiss, who attended with colleagues and provided the swag bags along with a little bling décor reminiscent of the iconic “Welcome to Vegas” sign to set the tone for the night. Other sponsors included Cap Equity, Encore Air, The Location Portal, Real to Reel, Humboldt Del Notre Film Commission, Reel Security, Real Waste Recycling and more.IMG_2313

After a bounteous reception of appetizers and cocktails the night went into full swing with the rockin’ sounds of   DJ “G-Shock”, or Gilbert Del-La-Torre from Skye Rentals, as he is known to us in his day job. Event coordinators Marc Blackbird and Taline Semerdjian worked tirelessly to prepare for the event. “We wanted to try something new and different this year. The Monte Carlo Experience was a fun and lively way to allow guests and friends to mingle, and celebrate before the COLAs held the next day. We were thrilled to see visiting Film Commissioners having such fun, and appreciate the support of our business members and sponsors alike,” said Taline.

LMGA’s Administrative Director Marc Blackbird served as Master of Ceremonies, flanked by LMGA members Eric Klosterman and Ken Haber. The silent auction was a huge success with a Santa Barbara weekend hosted by Santa Barbara’s Location Service and gifted by Ronnie Mellen, awarded to the highest charitable contributor Kendal Henry.IMG_2245

For those of us who were shy about taking chances, there was a learners’ table with the most patient and amazing dealer. Throughout the course of the evening, cheers of victory merged with the sounds of agony of defeat. And all for a good cause! A portion of proceeds went to LMGA Charity partner, FilmAid. FilmAid uses the po.er of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need around the globe.

Location Manager Mike Burmeister was considered “Mr. Big Win” for the evening when his raffle ticket won the very coveted 4-piece Patron Tequila gift pack, along with tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet courtesy of The Location Portal, and a huge basket filled with local goodies gifted by Brenna Bailey, Film Commissioner for San Mateo. But the best gambler of the evening, proven by the highest number of raffle tickets for every $100 win was Real to Reel’s favorite Site Rep, John Miller, who took away the lion share of winnings with 82 tickets. This awarded John and six of his friends a luxurious day at Santa Anita Race Track with all of the bells and whistles.IMG_2263

Smokin Aces! LMGA Members Night 2016 is already in the planning stages. May we include you on our guest list? As risk-taker Wayne Gretzky would say, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! “

For more info about LMGA, visit www.locationmanagers.org

For more info about FilmAid, visit www.filmaid.org

To volunteer for future events, email Administrative Director Marc Blackbird at Marcblackbird@locationmanagers.org

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