HomeHosting the North Pole Gala at SCHEELS Arena

Hosting the North Pole Gala at SCHEELS Arena

Sep 19, 2024

Event: North Pole Gala
Date: Friday, September 6th, 2024
Location: SCHEELS Arena, Fargo, ND

 

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Overview

The North Pole Gala is an annual fundraiser hosted at SCHEELS Arena, designed to raise money for families in need in the Cass and Clay counties. This gala, presented by The Great North Pole, is their primary vehicle for raising funds to fulfill holiday wishes. The event features silent and live auctions, entertainment, games, and a full dining experience. This year’s theme was "Bright Lights, Merry Night: A Neon Christmas Bash."

 

Challenge

The North Pole Gala is a large-scale event with many moving parts. The Great North Pole team needed a versatile venue to accommodate 800 guests, as well as a space that could seamlessly handle the logistics of auctions, entertainment, and formal dining. Additionally, they required a partner with the experience and expertise to assist with event setup, catering, and the technical production necessary to bring their vision to life.

 

Solution

SCHEELS Arena collaborated closely with The Great North Pole, Livewire, and Holiday Inn to ensure the success of the event. Our facility offered the perfect combination of size, flexibility, and support for hosting an event of this scale. The partnership allowed for seamless coordination and planning for over a year in advance, resulting in a memorable and impactful evening.

 

 

Event Setup & Coordination:

 

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SCHEELS Arena and Livewire worked in tandem to arrange the physical layout, including pipe and drape, tables, lighting, and staging. The Arena's adaptable space was instrumental in accommodating the neon Christmas theme, with décor and technical enhancements that helped bring the concept to life. Preparation for the event began on the Wednesday before, with setup continuing through Friday. Tear-down and load-out occurred on Saturday to ensure the space was left in pristine condition.

 

Food & Beverage:

 

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Our food and beverage team partnered with Holiday Inn to curate a luxurious dining experience, including champagne, wine, appetizers, and dinner. This collaborative effort ensured that the catering was aligned with the event’s elevated tone and met the expectations of guests in cocktail attire.

 

Silent & Live Auctions:

 

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SCHEELS Arena’s spacious setup accommodated the silent auction, which featured items from a wide range of categories such as home, family, sports, travel, and children’s products. The event also included a high-energy live auction that helped raise substantial funds for the cause.

 

Results

The event was a resounding success, both in terms of fundraising and guest experience. Through the collaboration with SCHEELS Arena, The Great North Pole was able to seamlessly execute their vision for a spectacular evening. The partnership with Livewire and Holiday Inn ensured that every detail—from lighting and staging to food and wine—was meticulously planned and delivered.

 

With 800 guests from across the Fargo area and beyond, the North Pole Gala raised significant funds to support families during the holiday season. The event’s sponsors, led by founder Nick Killoran and his wife Michelle, played an essential role in the gala's success, ensuring that the Great North Pole continues its mission to deliver joy to those in need during the holidays.

 

Conclusion

SCHEELS Arena proved to be a valuable partner for the North Pole Gala, offering the space, resources, and support necessary to make the event a memorable experience for all attendees. Whether for fundraising galas, corporate events, or large-scale community gatherings, SCHEELS Arena is committed to helping organizations create impactful, successful events.

 

For more information on how SCHEELS Arena can support your event, please contact:

 

Jayda Bennett

Event Manager

jbennett@scheelsarena.com