This past summer, hundreds of people from major entertainment studios, retailers and suppliers gathered in Hollywood for the first-ever Los Angeles Entertainment Summit (LAES).

Conceived by Mark Horak, president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, The Americas, and brought to life with the help of the Entertainment Merchants Association and the CF Foundation's Los Angeles Office - Southern California Chapter, the event raised an amazing $400,000 for the Foundation.

Entertainment for Everyone

With live and silent auctions, casino table games and VIP back-lot tours, there was no shortage of things to do during this three-day event.

The first day started in full swing with an industry golf tournament at the Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank, Calif. About 100 golf enthusiasts gathered to hit the green and show their skills in hole-in-one, closest-to-the-hole and longest drive contests.

Following the tournament was an awards banquet and reception, which also featured a live auction. Guests bid on gift baskets that included an array of items, from vacation getaways to movie packages. However, the most popular prize was a golf outing for four with Ron Sanders, president of Warner Home Video, at his private golf club.

The next day was held on the Warner Bros. Studio back-lot, where more than 400 people showed up for a casino tournament on the set of TV sitcom “Two and a Half Men.” Attendees conversed over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while playing Texas Hold 'em, Blackjack and Roulette.

A Personal Speech Captivates the Room

As the father of two daughters who have CF, Michelle, age 23, and Melissa, age 25, Mark personally introduced his family to the Summit's attendees and shared his story of what it's like to raise two children who fight the disease every day. 

Joined by his daughter Michelle, they spoke of the exciting progress that the Foundation has made through supporting vital research and drug development for people with CF. They went on to share their optimism for the future and to thank everyone for supporting the cause.
 
“We are grateful to have this outstanding support from the entertainment community as we search for a cure for CF,” said Judy Ranan, executive director of the Foundation's Los Angeles Office - Southern California Chapter. “The event was such a success that we have already started to plan for the 2nd annual Summit.”