October 26, 2019Coral Gables Country Club

9o9YEARS1929-2019

TROPICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER

ONE NIGHT

IN THETropi�CELEBRATING

UF/IFAS

As the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) inches a decade closer to its Centennial, it continues to find solutions to the world’s environmental and agricultural challenges, meeting the ever-increasing need for new solutions to sustainably cultivate food for a growing global population and conserving the environment.

UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center’s 90th Anniversary

A Cause to Celebrate...

90 Years, Only the Beginning When UF/IFAS TREC was founded in 1929, its mission was to develop solutions for Florida farmers focusing on a wide range of crops, including mangoes, papayas, tomatoes, avocados, corn, green beans, and squash. From the beginning, UF/IFAS TREC established the highest reputation in its field, attracting the interest of such talent as world-renowned botanist Dr. David Fairchild to its team of scientists. Today, influence of UF/IFAS TREC grows from local to global. The original mission of collaborating with Florida farmers continues through innovations in biotechnology, agroecology, and hydrology. And as a key player on the world stage, UF/IFAS TREC’s discoveries and innovations have contributed immensely to the sustainability of tropical and subtropical agricultural crops and to conserving our natural resources.

As UF/IFAS TREC enters its tenth decade, it stands as an integral part of the University of Florida’s prominence as number eight among all public universities in the U.S.* Its success is due in large part to the talented scientists, students, and staff who work tirelessly to build preeminent programs that foster innovative solutions to the challenges faced by agriculture and natural resources. At present, UF/IFAS TREC’s efforts are focused on:

• Research into minimizing the impacts caused by rising sea levels.• Proactively combating pests and diseases that threaten Florida’s billion-

dollar ornamental, vegetable, and tropical fruit industries through a state-of-the-art Plant Diagnostic Clinic.

• Combating deadly Laurel Wilt Disease, which is threatening the demise of Florida’s $100 million avocado industry.

• Restoring reefs that beautify and protect Florida’s coastal waters through the Oyster Shell Recycling Project.

*”2019 Top Public Colleges & Universities”, U.S. News and World Report, https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public

A Sustainable Future…Yours and Ours

This year we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center. Established largely by the efforts of the community as a grass-roots initiative, the return on that investment has more than paid off. Over the years, UF/IFAS TREC has contributed in no small measure to the

growth of many tropical and subtropical agricultural industries and the preservation of our environment in South Florida. But our work is not yet done!

UF/IFAS TREC is being called upon to play an even greater role in ensuring the sustainability of our agriculture and natural resources in the face of major challenges stemming from increased urbanization, population growth, unequal foreign competition, increased pests and diseases, red tides, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, and climate change, to name just a few. Responding to these challenges, it’s necessary to grow and engage in cutting-edge research and innovations. Doing so will require state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment to discover new knowledge and to translate that knowledge into a form that will benefit society. It also compels us to train the next generation of problem-solvers and researchers, many of whom will conduct their research within our communities, contributing directly to solving some of the pressing problems we face here in South Florida. Today we are operating in a very competitive research- and budget-constrained environment, requiring more strategies that lead to independently-sourced funds.

It is against this backdrop that we will be launching our capital campaign at our annual One Night in the Tropics Gala. This year’s event will raise funds for the construction of a modern residence facility to accommodate the growing number of students and visiting researchers. A robust infrastructure will allow us to compete with other leading institutions and attract the best and brightest faculty, researchers, scientists, and students. Within those dormitories will live the future of South Florida. 

We depend on your commitment and contributions to make UF/IFAS TREC sustainable, so that we, in turn, can continue to serve you.  Please support our Capital Campaign for the Sustainability of UF/IFAS TREC. Let’s build and grow together! Join us on October 26, 2019, for the 6th Annual One Night in the Tropics Gala celebration – one night of the year for our community to come together and make a difference. 

With gratitude for your consideration and support, 

       

Dr. Edward “Gilly” Evans

Sponsorships Foster Sustainability

THE PALM COLLECTION

ROYAL

TITLE SPONSOR

Benefits:

• Presenting status associating event with Sponsor Name, e.g. “6th Annual Night in the Tropics presented by...”

• Naming of research scholarship to be awarded to UF Student at the event by the Royal Palm Title Sponsor

• Exclusive Royal Palm table for 10 guests• Full-page ad* in event program • Royal Palm Title Sponsor logo placement on:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website ° Social media

• Mention in event press release

Cost: $15,000 (plus scholarship amount, t.b.d.)

Customizable sponsorship opportunities available upon request. *Ad specs provided upon sponsorship confirmation.

THE PALM COLLECTION

MAJESTIC

Benefits:

• Premier table for 10 guests • Full-page ad* in event program• Sponsor category logo placement on:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website ° Social media

• Mention in event press release

Cost: $10,000

SABAL

Benefits:

• Prominent table for 10 guests • Half-page ad* in event program• Sponsor category logo placement on:

° Event program ° Event Signage ° Website ° Social media

• Mention in event press release

Cost: $7,500

PHOENIX

Benefits:

• Table for 10 guests • Half-page ad* in event program • Sponsor category logo placement on:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website ° Social media

• Mention in event press release

Cost: $5,000.

Customizable sponsorship opportunities available upon request. *Ad specs provided upon sponsorship confirmation.

THE ORCHID COLLECTION

VANDA Benefits:

• Two tickets to the exclusive Directors’ Circle table • Full-page ad* in event program• Sponsor category logo or mention in:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website

Cost: $2,500

CATTLEYA

Benefits:

• Two tickets at a premier table location • Half-page ad* in event program• Sponsor category logo or mention in:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website

Cost: $1,000

PHALAENOPSIS

Benefits:

• Two tickets at a prominent table location • Quarter-page ad* in event program• Sponsor category logo or mention in:

° Event program ° Event signage ° Website

Cost: $750

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS

Cost: $175 each if purchased by 09/09/2019, or $200 each thereafter. (Seating will be matched up in pairs; placement is not guaranteed.)

Customizable sponsorship opportunities available upon request. *Ad specs provided upon sponsorship confirmation.

UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITIES

Underwriters will be recognized accordingly with appropriately-themed branding where the sponsor may elect to feature their name or logo. In-kind contributions of the underwriting options below will be considered. All underwriters will receive listed recognition in order of giving values in the event program.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES*

At the root of all breakthroughs is knowledge. Foster knowledge, through scholarships that not only change a person’s life but can change our community and the world.

AUCTION DONATION

Please consider a donation to the One Night in the Tropics Gala. All donations of goods and/or services are greatly appreciated. Proceeds from all items sold will benefit UF/IFAS -TREC.

Customizable underwriting opportunities and detailed scholarship information available upon request.

Decor

Photo Experience

Hora Loca

Welcome Cocktail

Cocktail Hour

Live Entertainment

Floor Branding

Confeti Moment

Steel Drum

Academic (full year)

Student Travel

Internships

Research

Favors

Diamond Anniversary Toast

Dancers

Cigar Roller

Tropical Treat (frozen dessert)

Restroom Amenities & Attendants

DJ

Menu Moment (ingredient inclusion)

Wine

Branded Glow Sticks

Volunteers

Brand/Product Placement

$3,500

$2,500

$2,500

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

$10,800

$1,000 — $5,000

$3,000

$5,000

$2,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$ 500

Please print as you wish it to appear on printed material:

________________________________________ or, _____________________________________________Name Company Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Contact Name Phone No. E-Mail Address

Billing Address: Mailing Address:____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________

SPONSORSHIPSTHE PALM COLLECTION ROYAL........ MAJESTIC.. SABAL........ PHOENIX...

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS$175

UNDERWRITING/IN-KIND DONATION/AUCTION ITEM(S)

___________________________________________________(Please specify the item and value)

CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL SUPPORTSPONSORSHIP: $___________________INDIVIDUAL TICKET(S): $___________________UNDERWRITING: $___________________

SUB-TOTAL: $___________________

ENCLOSE: A check in the amount of: __________ and payable to The University of Florida SHARE Foundation is enclosed. I am unable to attend, but I am enclosing a contribution of $___________.

RETURN THIS FORM AND CHECKS TO:Melissa Stanton, The University of FloridaIFAS-Tropical Research and Education Center18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Melissa Stanton: melissastanton@ufl.edu 786.217.9228 or Carolina Vendrame: cvendram@ufl.edu 786.217.9226

TOTAL ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS SUPPORT, including Underwriting, Scholarships, Auction Donation and/or In-Kind Donation:

$_____________________________

THE ORCHID COLLECTION

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, PLEASE VISIT: http://www.cvent.com/d/w6qtq7or, http://tinyurl.com/one19

The University of Florida Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization soliciting tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of the University of Florida. The Foundation is registered to solicit charitable contributions with the appropriate governing authorities in all states requiring registration. The organization is located at 2012 W. University Avenue, Gainesville FL 32603. A copy of the most recent financial statement is available by writing to Post Office Box 14425, Gainesville FL 32604 or by calling (352) 392-1691

VANDA............... $2,500 (2 tickets to the exclusive Director’s Circle table) CATTLEYA........... $1,000 (2 tickets at a Premier table) PHALAENOPSIS.. $ 750 (2 tickets at a Prominent table)

$15,000 (Exclusive Royal table for 10 guests) $10,000 (Premier table for 10 guests)$ 7,500 (Prominent table for 10 guests) $ 5,000 (Table for 10 guests)

Thank you, to all whose generosity and support of UF/IFAS TREC have brought us to this 90th Anniversary. We look forward to welcoming you to the event on October 26th at the beautiful and historic Coral Gables Country Club.

Dr. Edward “Gilly” Evans Dr. Jonathan Crane

FACULTY

CENTER DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE CENTER DIRECTOR

EMERITUS PROFESSORS

Dr. Elias Bassil

Dr. Haimanote Bayabil

Dr. Zachary Brym

Dr. Daniel Carrillo

Dr. Alan Chambers

Dr. Romina Gazis

Dr. Young Gu Her

Dr. Yuncong Li

Dr. Catharine Mannion

Dr. Geoffrey Meru

Dr. Bruce Schaffer

Dr. Dakshina Seal

Dr. Ashley Smyth

Dr. Wagner Vendrame

Dr. Shouan Zhang

Dr. Thomas Davenport

Dr. Waldemar Klassen

Dr. Richard Litz

Dr. Robert McMillan

Dr. Randy Ploetz

Dr. Jorge Peña

Dr. Christine Waddill

Dr. Van Waddill

ADVISORY BOARD

Albert Arazoza, Chairman Arazoza Brothers

Erik Tietig, Past Chairman Pine Island Nursery

Jorge Abreu Dade County Farm Bureau

Salvatore Finocchiaro S&L Farms

Robert Fishman ThinkLAB Ventures

Mike Hunt Avocado Grower

Peggy Machin FNGLA

Mike Merida Costa Farms

Martin Motes Motes Orchids

Teresa Olczyk Miami-Dade County Extension Direrctor

Mark Philcox Grove Services, Inc.

Barney Rutzkey, Jr. Railroad Nursery

Peter Schnebly Schnebly Winery and Brewery

Sanford Stein The Jungle Nursery, Inc.

Mark Wilson Greendale Nursery

For additional information, please visit:http://www.cvent.com/d/w6qtq7  

9o9YEARS1929-2019

TROPICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER

ONE NIGHT

IN THETropi�CELEBRATING

UF/IFAS