OPERATION: WESTERN FRONT

On March 2, 2011, philanthropists Warren M. Spitz and W. Brett Wilson, co-chaired a military fundraiser in Vancouver and we were honoured to partner with them in supporting such an important cause. The Vancouver Convention Centre played host to more than 900 guests in support of the Canadian military and their families. Dignitaries such as the Minister of Defense Peter MacKay, Canada’s Chief of Defense Staff General Walter Natynczyk, BC Premier Gordon Campbell, and Mrs. Laureen Harper were in attendance, along with a number of athletes and other celebrities including a special guest appearance by KISS band member Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed.

Operation: Western Front completely immersed guests in military culture from start to finish. The Vancouver Convention Centre was converted in to a Forward Operating Base, complete with combat zones, light armoured vehicles, military ambulances, mess halls, and camouflage. Guests were also strongly encouraged to wear military attire to create the experience of a true military base.

A gourmet buffet dinner was served on metal mess trays by Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, along with many other dignitaries, under four mess hall tents. During the course of the evening, the guests were moved by the emotional accounts of military families and enjoyed music by nationally renowned musicians performing songs that were written specifically for the military.

The helicopter call to dinner – on cue a military helicopter hovered outside the convention centre’s glass wall with its spotlight sweeping into the venue over shocked reception guests. Awe inspiring helicopter blade sound effects and a pilot voiceover ordered the guests “to take their strategic positions” in the mess hall. Now that was an attention getter!