The Real Estate Council's 24th annual FightNight: The Original was held on May 3 at the Hilton Anatole. This year’s black tie event featured professional boxing, casino gaming, outstanding cuisine and Vegas-style entertainment along with terrific networking with leaders in the commercial real estate industry. Décor included touches of a modern nightclub filled with chandeliers, mirrors and glamorous dancers. Late night entertainment featured DJ Lucy Wrubel spinning tunes to more than 1,100 who attended one of the largest commercial real estate charitable events in Dallas.
FightNight Chairman Michael Krywucki of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr said, “Again FightNight has made history, thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters who helped us raise more than $1 million for The Real Estate Council Foundation. Our foundation, coupled with our members’ professional services, helps so many Dallas nonprofit organizations improve our city in four key areas: job creation, affordable housing, education and the environment.”
This year’s fundraising event also featured Amy Hayes, the first female ring announcer in boxing and a first for FightNight. The winner of the Light Heavyweights World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. Championship Title was Cedric Agnew who beat Otis Griffin.
The Real Estate Council’s Associate Leadership Council Class sold a record $100,000 worth of raffle tickets with trips to Riviera Maya, Mexico, Los Angeles, Crested Butte and more.
Since its inception in 1988, The Real Estate Council’s FightNight has grown to one of North Texas’ largest philanthropic events, raising more than $21 million to support The Real Estate Council Foundation and its good works. These funds are leveraged by the pro bono technical expertise of members of The Real Estate Council. Each year members contribute time valued at $500,000.
Krywucki’s knockout committee included the following:
- Vice Chairman: Diane Butler, Butler Burgher Group
- Boxing Chair: Steve Crosson, Crosson Dannis, Inc.
- Logistics/Design Chair: Meredith Small, Meredith Small Design Group
- Finance Chair: Dallas Lamon, Deloitte.
- Publicity Chair: Chad Schieber, Beck
- Raffle Prize Chairs: Billy Gannon, Cushman & Wakefield of Texas, Inc.; Gerry Hedgcock, Crow Holdings
- Raffle Sales Chairs: Cullen Aderhold, HFF; Sarah Hinkley, Peloton Commercial Real Estate
- Table Sales Chair: Trey Morsbach, HFF
- Volunteer Chair: Brendon Hollier, Palio Partners
A special thanks to the underwriters:
- Super Heavy Weight Sponsors: Chicago Title and Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr
- Casino Sponsor: Matthews Southwest
- Championship Fight Sponsor: BBVA Compass, CBRE, HFF and Republic Title
- Prize Fight Sponsor: Chase, Deloitte., Goldman Sachs Commercial Mortgage Capital, Harwood International, KPMG, Regions Bank, NorthMarq and Wells Fargo
- Platinum Sponsors: Butler Burgher Group, Crow Holdings, Granite Properties and Hudson Advisors
- Gold Sponsors: Architel/TrendHR, Behringer Harvard, Hunt Realty Investments, KeyBank, L&B Realty Advisors, Peloton Commercial Real Estate, PlainsCapital Bank, PNC Real Estate, Sarofim Realty Advisors, The Retail Connection, Tonti Properties, ViewPoint Bank, Vinson & Elkins.
- Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal, The Dallas Morning News, and Bisnow.
- Live Radio Broadcast Sponsor: 105.3 The Fan
The Real Estate Council:
Founded in 1990, The Real Estate Council is a dynamic organization of more than 1,300 commercial real estate professionals and 500 companies representing 95% of the top commercial real estate businesses in North Texas. The Real Estate Council pursues industry advocacy efforts on local and statewide public policy issues and works to improve the quality of life in Dallas with initiatives that address housing, education, job creation and the environment. Over the last 20 years, The Real Estate Council’s FightNight, Giving Gala and Community Partners Program have raised more than $21 million. The organization is a leader of efforts shaping the future of Dallas including the original $1.5 million investment that spearheaded Klyde Warren Park, as well as $6.3 million in pro bono legal and title services and $250,000 in funding that helped create Dallas’ Urban Land Bank. In 2010 the City of Dallas was awarded a $2.225 million U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant made possible by a $275,000 Transit Oriented Development study funded by The Real Estate Council and two of its Community Partners. Find out more at recouncil.com or by calling 214.692.3600.