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When we were asked to plan the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh’s 50th anniversary party, we wanted to create a spectacular event that would show off the organization’s life-changing mentoring work with children while entertaining guests with a first class party. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Fly Away Bash was born, transporting guests (both literally and figuratively) to a once-in-a-lifetime event.

On Thursday, September 10, the Voyager Jet hangar at the Allegheny County Airport opened its doors to over 700 guests, arriving with weekend bags packed, for the sold out Big Brothers Big Sisters Fly Away Bash. Guests mingled, danced and enjoyed themselves in the transformed hangar space, complete with chic lit columns, a full stage and an adjacent lounge and cocktail tent, giving the event an overall al-fresco feel.

Aside from a lovely strolling dinner, a silent and live auction, live entertainment and wine pouring aerialists (plus an exclusive VIP section), the event raised over $300,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh! The evening’s draw and grand finale offered guests the chance to win one of twelve seats on four amazing trips, three of them leaving immediately at the conclusion of the event! Serving as part of the impressive decor, a private jet transported six winners to New York City after the event for an all-expense-paid weekend, including accommodations, at the Omni Berkshire Place. In addition to the New York City trip, guests were also given the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to either Nemacolin Woodlands or Omni Bedford Springs with round-trip limousine transportation. The final grand prize presented one lucky winner with two business class, round-trip direct flight tickets to Paris to be used within the year, courtesy of Delta Airlines!

The Event Group was so honored to be a part of this landmark event for Big Brothers Big Sisters and would like to thank the following sponsors who made the Fly Away Bash such a raving success:
Peoples Gas; Kenny Ross; Highmark; Eat‘n Park; JKS; Aetna; Westinghouse; SDLC; KPMG; Richard and Nancy Zappala; UPMC; PNC; PJ Dick; Frank Fuhrer; Fox Rothschild; Coy Capital Management, Inc.; Northwestern Mutual; Steelers; Morgan Lewis; Federated Investors; Dunkin Brands; Goehring, Rutter & Boehm; Seubert & Associates, Inc.; and Comcast.

The Event Group would also like to extend a special thank you to the members of the Pittsburgh events community who were involved in the planning and set-up of the Fly Away Bash. The in-kind donations, time, creativity and talent from the following vendors helped make the Fly Away Bash the most talked about event of the year:
The Prop Shop; Three Rivers Entertainment; All Occasions; Voyager Jet; Nemacolin Woodlands Resort; Omni Hotels; ShoFilms; Covalent; Regency Transportation; Lionworks Printing & Graphics; CPI Creative; Hepatica; Bella Christies and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique; Common Plea Catering; Dr. Pepper and Snapple Group; PepsiCo; Steel City Memories Photo Booth Services; Tri State Valet; and Mr. John.

Photography courtesy of Jessica Gumbert Photography and Rick Finkelstein Artistry