WildAid, the global nonprofit organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade, announced its annual fundraising gala, “An Evening with WildAid,” will take place November 11 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
WildAid is the only group to focus exclusively on reducing demand for illegal wildlife products through public awareness campaigns. With the simple message “When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too,” WildAid works with government, business and media partners as well as celebrities and high profile individuals to advocate consumer change.
With sponsors including the TOMS Animal Initiative, “An Evening with WildAid” will bring out Hollywood’s A-List, including film star Josh Duhamel who will be on hand to receive the 2017 Wildlife Champion Award.
Duhamel has been an advocate for WildAid, filming several PSAs for the organization and using his celebrity status on social media to engage new audiences and to spread awareness of the illegal wildlife trade and its detrimental effects on endangered species worldwide.
Past gala attendees include Yao Ming, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Ian Somerhalder (2016 Wildlife Champion Award recipient), Nikki Reed, Chevy Chase, Jared Leto, Maggie Q, Dylan McDermott, Kathryn Bigelow, Amy Tan, Larry King, Hayden Panettiere, Bo Derek, Michael Cudlitz and John Corbett.
The “Evening with WildAid” gala will feature a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with silent auction and cultural performances. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner by James Beard award-winning chef Tracey Des Jardins, owner of San Francisco’s famed Jardinière, and Mary Sue Milliken, co-chef/owner of the popular, critically acclaimed Border Grill restaurants.
A highlight of the Gala is WildAid CEO Peter Knights’ introduction of the organization’s new programs to protect endangered species and marine habitats, including recent work by WildAid’s portfolio of celebrity ambassadors including Josh Duhamel, Lupita Nyong'o, Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, HRH Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, Maggie Q, the cast of The Walking Dead and many others.
WildAid produces impactful, compelling public service announcements that are Hollywood quality for a fraction of the cost, and distributes them to millions of viewers a week through extensive pro bono and earned media placement. In recent years, shark fin imports to China have gone down by 80%, ivory and rhino horn prices have plummeted by more than 50% in China and Vietnam, and China has agreed to close its ivory market by the end of 2017.
Find out more about the event here.
