{"id":3604,"date":"2013-12-03T16:17:42","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T16:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/children-today-first-to-host-event-at-new-arena\/"},"modified":"2013-12-03T16:17:42","modified_gmt":"2013-12-03T16:17:42","slug":"children-today-first-to-host-event-at-new-arena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/children-today-first-to-host-event-at-new-arena","title":{"rendered":"Children Today First to Host Event at New Arena"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Photo by Brian Addison<\/em><\/p>\n

On November 20, the Long Beach Arena\u2019s Pacific Ballroom was unveiled as a new and improved event space<\/a> with $10 million in renovations. Highlighting the redesign is the installation of the world\u2019s largest tension-grid, a massive mechanical lighting structure that can expand outward and upward, transforming the ballroom into a specialized venue.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the arena aims to attract large events from national and international interests, but it is a local non-profit organization, however, that will be the first to test the engineering, design and glamour of this new municipal space. On Friday, Children Today<\/a>, Inc. hosts its 16th annual Holiday Cheer<\/a> party and fundraiser at the new arena.<\/p>\n

Generating revenue for its early childhood education programs that serve children experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, Holiday Cheer is the organization\u2019s signature annual event. About 400 supporters and community members are expected to attend the event, which includes live and silent auctions, entertainment, locally catered food, wine and spirits.<\/p>\n

The new arena was ideal for Holiday Cheer organizers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe toured several locations before deciding on the Long Beach arena,\u201d said Masy Bunnell, President of Children Today. \u201cThe Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center did a spectacular job with the remodel. They\u2019ve made it so you can scale up or down to fit the size of your event, and we are honored to be the organization that kicks off the use of this new space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many elements of Holiday Cheer are new this year. Aside from the venue, organizers are excited about a special after party called “Last Call Arena Lounge” and the introduction of electronic bidding for auction items. Guests will be able to utilize their phones or tablets to bid on and monitor items, creating a healthy competition with other bidders.<\/p>\n

Holiday Cheer will be held at the new Long Beach Arena at 300 Ocean Blvd. on Friday, December 6 at 7PM. Guests may still go online to purchase tickets<\/a> or view auction items<\/a> prior to the event. <\/em><\/p>\n

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