The Arizona Chapter of the
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
Presents their Award-Winning Event ….
Join Arizona’s Hospitality and Meeting Industry Professionals for
an Unforgettable Evening of Fun and Purpose!
The past four years have demonstrated the remarkable resilience and teamwork that form the foundation of Arizona’s vibrant hospitality industry. Our community thrives when we come together, and the enthusiasm for high-energy, interactive events like our auction has never been stronger.
This year, we are thrilled to invite you to the 42nd Annual Auction, Fundraiser, and Dinner, hosted at our award-winning venue, as we celebrate the “Year of the Snake.” This event promises an evening filled with excitement, camaraderie, and the spirit of giving.
Proceeds from this unforgettable evening will benefit the Arizona Chapter of HSMAI, supporting its mission to deliver quality continuing education and scholarships for professionals in the hospitality industry and aspiring future leaders.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, celebrate, and contribute to a cause that shapes the future of our industry. Join us for a night to remember—so much fun for such a worthy cause!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE
CLICK HERE TO DONATE A PRIZE ON-LINE
Interested in sponsoring this event? Click HERE for opportunities
DATE:
Friday, July 25, 2025
VENUE:
The Camby – Autograph Collection
2401 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona
AGENDA:
5:00-6:30 p.m.
Savvy Foyer and Salon:
Registration, Cocktail Reception (no-host bar)
Passed Hors D Oeuvres, Photo Booth and Silent Auction
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Camby Ballroom:
Dinner and Live Auction
9:30 p.m.
Bees Knees:
After Party with Cash Bar, Late Night Bites and Karaoke
COST:
$95.00 Per Person
$925.00 Corporate Table of Ten
The Resort is offering a special overnight rate of $99.00 per room.
This special rate is good for two nights before and after our event.
PARKING:
Complimentary valet (gratuities appreciated) and self-parking is available
AUCTION SPONSORS:
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE INVITATION
CLICK HERE FOR AN PRINTABLE AUCTION DONOR FORM
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE DONOR LETTER
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is an individual membership organization with more than 7,000 members worldwide. HSMAI is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Adrian Awards and the Revenue Optimization Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. More information is at www.hsmai.org.
The Arizona Chapter, the fifth largest chapter in the U.S., celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2018. The chapter was honored in 2019 as the Chapter of the Year and is the recipient of the most “Chapter Awards of Excellence” in the history of HSMAI. Most recently, the chapter was recognized with three HSMAI Frank Berkman Chapter Awards of Excellence and an AzSAE Award of Excellence in Association Management. Membership is 120+ members strong, and is comprised of General Managers, Directors of Sales, Sales Managers, Revenue Managers, and Student Members. The chapter offers members a variety of education programs, community volunteer opportunities, leadership and professional development opportunities and a variety of networking and special events.
ABOUT OUR HOST VENUE
A reimagined look for a Phoenix icon, the newly-renovated Camby is the embodiment of a warm welcome—a blend of creativity, luxury, and authentic desert style. Situated near Biltmore Fashion Park and minutes from Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix, experience the vibrant culture and local artistry of Arizona when you stay at The Camby, where every moment is a celebration of refined revelry. Refreshed interior design gives The Camby’s classical bones new life with natural glimpses of flora & fauna and modern muted hues resulting in a dynamic contemporary space that evokes emotion, relaxation, and curiosity. With upbeat, convivial energy, The Camby offers bold Southwestern flavors, agave-based spirits, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re seeking the perfect cup of coffee or nightcap to end the day, you’ll find it here. Experience our signature, enigmatic buzz that is spirited and sophisticated, inspired by the Arizona desert. More information at: https://www.thecamby.com/
Mitchell Swaback Charities, Inc. (AZ) is a 20-year-old, volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that fully funds and operates Harvest Compassion Centers (HCC). It all began with one family who wanted to impact strangers in memory of the tragic loss of a son and brother, Mitch Swaback. During the post-recession days of 2009, MSC leaders saw an opportunity to serve our local kids with basic life necessities that would improve their overall health, well-being, and future.
HCC was launched in 2011 to immediately serve the needs of children and their families through our ‘Food Banking Reimagined’ model. Our goals are simple: reduce food insecurity for children and families living in poverty, improve their overall quality of life in the home, and improve their school readiness and academic achievements. ‘Food Banking Reimagined’ merges mini grocery stores, high-end clothing boutiques, and kids’ play corners, all into one. One in five children in Maricopa County are going to bed hungry. HCC’s North Phoenix/Scottsdale, West Phoenix, and Maryvale locations are feeding over 19,000 families annually, including over 50,000 local children. Our centers are located in generationally poor neighborhoods, where median incomes are below state poverty levels, 98% receive SNAP benefits, and 99% receive free school meals. HCC embodies a commitment to providing clients with an exceptional shopping experience, emphasizing authentic connections, and cultivating genuine client relationships, while also being dedicated to sharing referral services, creating lasting, impactful change!
HCC’s ‘Food Banking Re-imagined’ program is our flagship initiative, operating at three locations: North Phoenix/Scottsdale, West Phoenix, and Maryvale. Our centers focus on serving the working poor, underinsured, underemployed, and minority populations—individuals and families facing significant economic challenges. These include those working multiple jobs, combined households living under one roof, and multi-generational families struggling to make ends meet. In Maricopa County, 64% of families live below the poverty line, with one in five children going to bed hungry.
As the economic fallout from the pandemic continues, young children remain among the most vulnerable. HCC aims to combat local food insecurity rates, addressing the critical needs of disadvantaged families and helping close achievement gaps that disproportionately affect these communities. Our ‘Food Banking Re-imagined’ model is designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for underemployed and underrepresented families of diverse backgrounds. With no income or geographical restrictions, we provide free access to healthy food, essential hygiene products, proper clothing, and baby necessities to all who come through our doors.
This program operates entirely free for clients and does not receive government food products or funding. Families may visit once every 30 days and receive additional support, including community referrals, prayer, encouragement, and hope. Our commitment goes beyond meeting immediate needs; we walk alongside our clients, instilling independence, confidence, and a drive toward self-sustainability. Witnessing their journey toward success is a privilege and a testament to the transformative impact of our work.
A typical client at HCC is a low-income family with an average household size of six. Often, one adult works multiple jobs while another provides full-time care for young children or elderly relatives. For instance, Maria and Jorge, a Phoenix couple, live in a cramped two-bedroom apartment with their four children and Maria’s elderly parents. Jorge works two jobs, and Maria manages the home and cares for the family. Financial hardships force them to prioritize bills over essentials like food and clothing. HCC is honored to support families like Maria and Jorge, providing them with monthly groceries, hygiene products, and seasonal clothing.
In 2024, HCC’s impact was the following: Fed and clothed 19,028 families with 600,000 pounds of food, hygiene and baby product, distributed 118,106 pieces of laundered clothing, over 10,000 Christmas toys were distributed to 3,007 kids during the month of December, 124,600 diapers and baby wipes were distributed by 1,966 volunteers who donated 17,496 hours of service.
The original Chinese Auction was conceived in 1982 by the Arizona Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. This event has gained national recognition and has been adopted by numerous HSMAI and MPI chapters through the U.S. as their major fundraiser.
The auction was originally given the Chinese theme due to the location of the event – the former China Doll Restaurant in Phoenix. Over the years, the auction has grown and has moved its location to larger venues. The Chinese theme has remained.
The idea of the auction is to provide each guest with a list of prizes (such as dinners, golf outings, gift baskets, services, and hotel/resort stays) and a numbered stick. Each table is supplied with a bucket that is placed in the middle. Starting with the number one item, the auctioneer describes that item and asks the guests who are interested in bidding on this item to toss a quarter or quarters in the bucket. The guest then holds their stick in the air. The auctioneer calls out the numbers that are held up. A gonger (who cannot see or hear what is going on) is responsible for hitting the gong after a few seconds. The last number called out when the gong rings has won that prize and goes to the stage to claim it. This sequence of events goes on throughout the evening until all prizes are gone. Over the years, a silent and live auction have also been added to the event.
This event has won numerous awards including “Stars of the Industry” Awards from the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, “Awards of Excellence in Association Management” from the Arizona Society of Association Executives and several HSMAI International Awards.
In 2022, the name of our event was changed to be more diverse and inclusive, but the year of the Chinese Zodiac and the Asian theme remain.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE
CLICK HERE TO DONATE A PRIZE ON-LINE
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE INVITATION
© HSMAI-AZ 2020 All rights reserved