Source: Nancy Hansen, 785-532-5023, nhansen@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.kstatetda.com
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu
Monday, April 2, 2012
Bidders welcome: 16th annual travel and dining auction April 13supports scholarships, conference travel for students
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's annual Travel and Dining Auction, presented by the hotel and restaurant management program in the College of Human Ecology, has outgrown another venue.
The 16th annual event, to be 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 13, has a new home at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center, 410 S. Third St., Manhattan. Tickets can be purchased for $20 until midnight April 12 by going to the event's website at http://www.kstatetda.com; tickets will cost $25 at the door.
The first auctions were in Hoffman Lounge in Justin Hall. Then the event expanded to a tent on Justin Hall's front yard, then to the K-State Student Union Ballroom, then the K-State Alumni Center.
The auction, which expects to break last year's record of 347 guests and $38,760 raised, is one of the largest student-run events on campus. It raises funds for scholarships and to help hospitality management and dietetics students travel to regional and national professional conferences.
Among auction items donated by friends and alumni are hotel stays at Hyatt Regency – Wichita; Inn at Tallgrass – Wichita; and Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Suites, Fairfield Inn and Parkwood Inn & Suites, all in Manhattan.
Dining gift certificates have been donated by Carlos O'Kelly's, Big D's Burger Shack, Cozy Inn, The Chef, della Voce and others. Other gift certificates include tickets to a Wichita Thunder hockey game, McCain Auditorium, Oz Museum, Columbian Theatre, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, American Jazz Museum and golf with lunch at the Wichita Country Club.
Also on the auction block will be a Beijo designer handbag bag, Willie the Wildcat statue, K-State garden rock, guitars and more. A list is available at the event's website.
A mashed potato bar and pork sliders food station have been added this year. Also on the menu are a variety of passed appetizers, beer, wine donated by King Estates, McAlister's Deli iced tea, lemonade and coffee.
"The auction is a creative way for students who plan to enter the event-planning industry to learn by doing," said Nancy Hansen, auction sponsor and instructor in the department of hospitality management and dietetics. "It is remarkable the talent that these students bring to the table to make this event possible each year. We pride ourselves most on our continuously supportive donors that help make this event so successful."
Auction items are being accepted until April 11.
To donate, visit http://www.kstatetda.com and download the solicitation letter to list donation information. Drop the item off to 104 Justin Hall; mail it to: Nancy Hansen, 104 Justin Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; or call Hansen at 785-532-5023 to arrange pickup.